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Holy shit, Ford.

Lincoln

I think that’s a good enough excuse.

I’ll bring yours to the rink tomorrow.

Carson

Thanks. You guys can tell the girls what is going on.

Rowan

Do you think the kid is yours?

I swallow roughly, reading over his message. Rowan went through a similar experience when he found out about his daughter. He had to get a paternity test and then went through a whole ordeal to get full custody of her.

Carson

Based on the timelines, the way he looks and other similarities—yes.

Nash

How the hell did you even find out about this?

Caleb

How about you all stop cackling like little hens and give the guy some space to breathe and time to process?

Lincoln

Caleb is right, boys.

Nash

Sorry.

Rowan

We’re here for you for whatever you need.

Lincoln

Anything you need.

Carson

Thanks, guys. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.

Nash

No rush. Whenever you’re ready to talk about it, we’ll be here.

These guys are the best friends I’ve ever had and I’m eternally grateful to have them in my life. Growing up with Caleb, I’ve always known what it feels like to have that brotherly bond. That love from a sibling that you know you can always count on to have your back, regardless of what happens.

These guys are my brothers, but we aren’t bound by blood and that connection is something unexplainable. You’re not forced to be a family, but it’s the one you choose. They’re the people who will ride by your side through the good and the bad times.

They’re always there when you need them and these guys continue to show up. We might give each other shit and bicker and argue sometimes, but at the end of the day, we still choose to stand by one another.