As I head into my old room, I shut the door to block out the sounds of the three women I love cracking up. It’s been a great afternoon, eating, laughing, and them getting to know Avery even more. She fits in perfectly, not that I didn’t expect her to, but it’s great how my mom and sister have welcomed her with open arms. I didn’t think they wouldn’t, or even that they would be upset with me. I knew my mom would freak out, but I knew, no matter what, she would support me. That’s my mom. She does that.
But Jude and Jayden, I’m nervous.
Sitting on my bed, I look around the room that I shared with Jayden my whole life. Somehow Lucy and Jude got their own rooms. I loved sharing with Jayden, so I didn’t mind. He might not have felt the same, but we did it with ease. Two brothers, two best friends. I just hope he doesn’t freak out too much.
Going into our group chat, I type out a quick message.
Me: You two busy?
Jayden: Just got out of practice. What’s up?
Jude: No, what’s up?
I call Jayden first.
“Hey.”
“Hey, hold on, let me call Jude,” I say and he agrees as I add Jude to the call.
“What’s this about?” Jayden asks as it rings, but I don’t answer him.
“Yo. What’s up?” Jude says and I clear my throat.
“Gotta tell you guys something,” I say and Jude laughs.
“You’re gay.”
“Your dick fell off and your vagina is growing in nicely?”
“Oh, that is more like it, huh, Jay? I’m so happy you’re finally a girl, Jacey.”
“Aw, your nickname can become your real name.”
I want to be mad, but these are my brothers.
“Dumbasses, shut up,” I bark and they both laugh.
“Wait, you’re okay?” Jayden asks, his voice filling with concern. “Your leg is good, right?”
“You told me you were good,” Jude says, his voice hard and worried.
“I’m good,” I promise. “It’s not that.”
“What, then?” Jayden asks.
“Avery is pregnant.”
Silence. I’m answered with silence.
“You dumbass. Condoms, Jace, condoms,” Jayden yells.
“Didn’t we tell you this? Wrap it up. Shit,” Jude exclaims and I shake my head.
“I did, dumbasses.”
“Then how?!”
“I’m a beast. My boys made it through latex.”
“That’s not something to be proud of,” Jayden says and I scoff.
“Just sayin’ I’m not dumb. I used the stash in the drawer, but I guess they didn’t work.”
“What? In the first drawer?”
“Yeah,” I say, confused by Jayden’s tone.
“Dude, those are old. I never used them ’cause Jude left them,” Jayden laughs.
“Oh my God, you didn’t throw them away?” Jude laughs. “I didn’t use them either ’cause they were Malkin’s,” he says, speaking of the captain before him.
“You sick bastards, why didn’t you throw them away?” I ask and they both laugh.
“Why didn’t you check the expiration date?” Jayden asks. “Cocky shit, thinking your sperm is strong. Please.”
“Loser,” Jude says and I smile. “But shit, dude, now you’re really stuck. And you can’t leave, ’cause if we thought her dad would ruin you before, he really will now if you leave his daughter pregnant. Jesus, Jace.”
“I’m not leaving her,” I say sternly. “I married her.”
More silence.
“You did what?” Jude roars as Jayden just laughs.
“Jesus, this guy. Bay, Jace married Avery. She’s pregnant.”
When my sister-in-law yelps in surprise, I just shrug. “I love her, guys, and I hope you’ll both support me.”
“Well, duh, dumbass. But shit, you go big, don’t you?” Jayden laughs and I grin.
“Always.”
“Good Lord, information overload over here. Man, are you sure?” Jude asks.
Jayden agrees. “Yeah, really, this is huge.”
“Yeah, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my whole life.”
“Then we’re behind you, buddy,” Jayden says after a long moment of silence.
“Yeah, I mean, she’s great. I’m nervous, but I trust you know what you’re doing.”
“I do,” I promise and Jude laughs.
“Man, did Mom freak?”
“You know she did,” I laugh and Jayden follows suit.
“This is insane.”
“Yeah, but it’s right,” I decide and they both agree.
“Well, I don’t know how Jude feels, but I’m proud of the man you’ve become, Jace. You’ve really stepped up and grown.”
“Thanks, bro.”
“I agree, but don’t fuck up. If you’re doing this, you’re doing it right and you’re gonna love that girl for the rest of your life. We may have been raised by a shit guy, but we aren’t him, you hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you,” I say around the lump in my throat. I always knew I had the best family in the whole entire world, but having the support of the two men I look up to so greatly, too… I can’t even. It’s overwhelming.
“And remember who your favorite brother is when you’re naming my nephew,” Jayden says and I smile.
“Don’t you mean your niece, Jay? Since you’re a sissy.”
“Whatever, Judeifer. You’re the girl.”
“Did you just say my name like Lucifer? You dick.”
“Well, you are the devil himself!”
Rolling my eyes, I clear my throat to cut off what I’m sure will be hysterical. I need to get back to my wife.
Man, just thinking that knocked the air out of me.
Wow, I hope I’ll never be able to say that and not get breathless.
“Okay, I’m gonna drop out, but you two continue. My wife is waiting for me.”
We all say good-bye before I hang up and I smile as I chuckle. That was easier than I thought.
Because it’s right.
We’re right.
Standing up, I head into the kitchen and go straight for Avery. When she sees me, she beams as I gather her in my arms.
“I just puked.” She grins and my mom and sister laugh.
“Yum,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“I was so sick with Jace, Lord,” Mom says, a pained look on her face.
“And he’s been a pain in the ass ever since.” Lucy smiles and I stick my tongue out at her before kissing Avery’s temple.
“Ready?” I love being here, but I want to be alone with Avery. I want it to be just us. We say good-bye and I’m surprised I get away since my mom won’t stop kissing me. Once I finally do and we are in the car, I look over at her and smile. “See, easy peasy.”
“She almost had a heart attack,” she says and I laugh.
“She’s good.”
She shakes her head. “This is all so crazy.”
I eye her. “But good, right?”
She nods. “God, yes. I’m so happy.”
“Good,” I say, kissing the back of her hand. “Are you gonna tell your parents?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“Do you want me to?”
She shakes her head quickly. “Hell no,” she laughs and I lean over, kissing her nose. I don’t move when her gaze meets mine. She’s still freaking out. Looking deep into my eyes, she lets out a breath and then shakes her head. “I don’t want to tell them and have them not be happy for me. Because they’ll freak, if they even care. But they won’t do what your mom and sister just did. No one will, and I just feel so good right now. I don’t want to ruin that.”
I nod. “I understand that.”
She smiles. “But I love you and I’m so happy.”
“That’s all I care about,” I whisper against her lips and she smiles. “So don’t tell them. If they care, they’ll contact you.”
“How will they know?” she asks, confused, and I grin, pulling my phone out of my pocket.
“Um, we aren’t married for real until it’s Facebook official, duh,” I say and she rolls her eyes.
“You’re sorta a Facebook whore,” she accuses and I shrug.
“Maybe. Shh, smile.”
I hold my phone out, our faces appearing as she glares at me. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. Smile, hold up your hand.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She laughs before grinning at the phone and holding up her left hand. Pressing my lips to her cheek, I take the picture and then look at it. She looks so blissful, so in love, and this is my wife. My forever.
“It’s cute.”
“Yeah, it’s getting framed,” I say with a wink before going on to Facebook and uploading it, tagging her with the caption: Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Sinclair. #wifey
“You dork!”
I grin as I look back at the picture. Man, we look so ecstatic. So unified and perfect. Her eyes are full of the promise of forever. And even though my eyes are shut tightly as my lips press to her cheek, I know what I’m feeling and it’s nothing but love for this woman. As I stare at our picture, I know we have nothing to worry about.
We’ve got this.
Or at least, I hope we do.