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I shakein tomorrow Wanted to spend Christ will she stay?" Garrett asks
"A week, and then she has to start her new job," I say, even as I fight against the doard pull of my lips in dis to Coluo where the opportunity was, and right now, she needed a job Didn’t matter that I offered to support her Told her she could move in with me and that I’d take care of her
She just rolled her eyes at estion in the world, but then mollified me somehen she said, "Just until their season ends, then I’ll try to find soood bet that she would With three iate athletic prograood It’s just…I want her fucking here, now It’s funny, once I opened ift of her love, I’ve found -distance shit Can’t fucking stand it
A clinking on a glass gets our attention and I turn to see Brian Brannon standing at the head of the large, open living rooives a few ne with his Stanley Cup co, and it er badly I think we’ve got a great shot this year
"If I can have everyone’s attention," he says loudly, and the last of the chatter dies down Waiters circulate with trays of cha with Garrett and Olivia
Once everyone has a glass in hand, he says, "I just want to thank everyone for coanization, and this time of the year is most excellent to celebrate those friendships I understand we have soht…looks like our own Garrett and Olivia have gotten engaged Let’s wish the happy couple well"
Everyone cheers, hoots, and hollers Olivia blushes prettily and Garrett puffs his chest out
When the ishes die down, Brian continues "We have so news," he says as he turns to look at his daughter, Gray, standing beside him She stands next to her husband, Ryker, who has his arenerously given ht, so without further ado…"
And here, Brian turns to his daughter and places a hand on her stomach His voice is cooing to randchild The baby is due in May"
Gasps of surprise and delight turatulations and raise their chalasses, as Brian kisses Gray on the cheek She is beahter than I think she smiled this past summer when the Cold Fury hoisted the Cup My eyes catch Ryker’s and I raise ful nod of happiness for the dude
And even though I couldn’t be more happy for Garrett, Olivia, Ryker, and Gray, it ht at this irlfriend…my lover…the woman who I love more than life itself and who should be withfifteen hundred miles away in Sydney I feel like a whiny brat, so I take a deep sip of chaht because tomorroill be all better I’ll be wrapped up in some Vale Campbell, and that will be bliss We haven’t seen each other since I left Sydney ten days ago, and the first thing I’et her alone is strip her naked, take lass and Brian Brannon is getting everyone’s attention again The chatter dies once more and everyone stares at him with happy smiles fueled by Veuve Clicquot bubbles
"We have one et busy with some serious Christmas cheer and celebration," Brian says "Like I said before, we’re a family I cherish each and every person in this room, and there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for the lot of you hacks"