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3

Jess

A blast of warm waffle-scented air hit me in the face the second Ben pulled open the door to Shirley’s. I inhaled, my stomach rumbling at the scent of carbs while my wind-stung cheeks burned from the sudden heat.

Ben’s palm fit itself against the small of my back the second I stepped through, and the door drifted shut behind us, the bell on the handle jingling as it closed.

The place was usually busy, but tonight, it was packed. We weren’t the only students at Westbrook wanting to blow off final exam stress with greasy diner food. Toward the back near the large windows looking out across the street and trees beyond, our booth was occupied with a table pulled up against the end so there was room for everyone.

Actually, even with the booth and table, it was cramped. At times like this, when I was visibly reminded of how many of us there were, I always felt a little surprised. Like, even after all these months, I couldn’t believe this was my life. That these were my friends. Sometimes it seemed a little too good to be true.

It was everything I always wanted and everything I thought I’d never have.

Not only did the girl from the wrong side of the tracks manage to get the guy, but she got a whole family to go with him.

“Is the floor sticky?” I blinked at Ben’s question, stare refocusing on his two-tone eyes. Both the green and brown orbs focused on me while his eyebrows arched halfway up his forehead.

“What?” I asked.

“Just wondering if your feet are stuck to the floor because they aren’t moving.”

Even though I knew my feet weren’t stuck to the floor, I glanced down at them.

Ben shuffled forward, nearly bouncing against me. The brush of his warm body was close enough that the classic diner scents were overpowered by chlorine and spice. “Hey.” His voice was soft, concern making it deep. “You okay?”

The side of my mouth lifted, his worry clouding my insides with affection. Laying my palm against his chest, I patted him lightly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you’re impersonating a statue,” he deadpanned.

I laughed, then brushed my fingers against his chest once more. “I was just thinking how glad I am we could all get together tonight,” I replied, gesturing with my chin to the Elite booth.

Wrapping his fingers around the ones still pressed into his chest, he pecked a kiss on the back of my hand before linking our fingers. “But I’m your favorite.”

“You’ll always be my favorite,” I confirmed.

The booth was full with Ryan, Rory, Jamie, and Madison on the left side. Across from them on the right, Arsen was sitting with Matty halfway in his lap. The rest of the bench seat was empty for me and Ben, and the three chairs alongside us were empty too.

The other side of the table was full with Rush, Landry, Bodhi, and Emmett all lined up beside Jamie and Madison.

“Say goodbye to hell week and hello to waffles,” Jamie said as we slid into the booth.

“Seriously, I’m exhausted.” Madison groaned, dropping her chin into her hand. “I’m so ready for winter break.”

The bell on the door clanged as the blustery wind outside caught it and sent it flying wide. Wes rushed through, catching it just before it could slam into the wall with a crash. He was harried with red cheeks and windswept curls wild on his head.

Max was right behind him, all black boots and black leather, looking impervious to the chilled weather outside. Going right to Wes, he took the door in one hand and collared another around the back of Wes’s neck, holding both still while Win and Lars stepped inside, hands full of drink carriers.

“Trauma lattes are here,” Win called, holding up his hands.

“Yes, please,” Rory declared, making a grabby motion with her hands.

Win started passing out lattes, and I watched Max pull Wes back when he started for the table. Scowling, he turned, and Max smirked. The set of Wes’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and Max released the back of his neck to push his ring-covered fingers into the wayward curls. I thought maybe he’d try and smooth them out, but no, not Max. He tangled them more, pulling Wes in for a kiss.

“Trauma latte for Jess,” Win called, and I jerked around, nearly colliding with the white paper cup and black lid he dangled in front of me.

“Oh, sorry.” I offered him a smile while reaching for it. I sighed the second the warmth of the cup seeped into my hands. “Ugh, yes. Thank you for bringing these for us.”

“Are you sure it’s okay we brought these from another place? Shirley won’t be mad?” Lars worried, handing the last latte in his carrier to Landry.

“I told you it’s fine, angel,” Win said. Clearly, they’d already had this talk.

“But most places?—”

Rush interrupted him. “Most places ain’t Shirley’s, bro.”

“They love us here,” Jamie tacked on.

Lars seemed unsure as he slid into his chair near the head of the table where Win usually sat. Max and Wes filled in the empty seats alongside Ben and me.

Shirley appeared, balancing a large round tray with steaming plates covering the surface. “Who wants waffles?”

“Is that even a question?” Ben quipped. “Hand ‘em over here, Shirley.”

Ryan leaned forward. “Shirley, is it okay that we brought in lattes from another place?” He held up the cup in his hand. “We didn’t want you to have to make sixteen caramel lattes with your one espresso machine. Especially since you’re already making us all this food.”

“Of course, honey. You boys eat enough food for three people each. You go on and enjoy that coffee.”

At the end of the table, Lars relaxed in his chair, and Win ruffled his white-blond hair. I glanced at Ryan and smiled.

“Now what else can I get for ya?” Shirley asked, drawing a small pad and pen out of her apron to jot down orders.

When she was finished, she turned to Emmett. “I just want to say I think it’s really sweet of you, Coach Resch, that you’re meeting the team for a meal after a long week of finals. I’m sure it encourages them.”

A few snickers went around the table, and Emmett looked like he was about to swallow a frog. His arm, which was under the table and obviously on Bodhi’s leg, stiffened.

“He’s not just our coach, Shirley. He’s family,” Ryan said.

“Of course,” she reiterated. “I’ll leave you to it.”

When she was gone, Bodhi smirked. “Wonder what Shirley would say if she knew what kind of encouragement Coach gives me.”

“I’m not your coach,” Emmett growled.

Bodhi leaned in to whisper, “I know you aren’t. Daddy .”

Emmett looked like steam would come out of his ears, and Win heckled.

Rush’s fork clattered against his plate. “Bro. These waffles are about to come back up.”

“I’ll eat them,” Jamie quipped, stabbing the rest of the waffle left on Rush’s plate and dragging it over to his.

“I’m gonna have to start drinking espresso shots black like Lars if you keep calling my father daddy in front of me,” Landry said, lips curled in disgust.

Lars leaned over the table, handing her a paper cup that was smaller than the lattes they’d passed out. “Here, sis.”

Landry took a sip, her face screwing up.

Rush rolled his eyes and snatched it from her. “That’s gonna put hair on your chest,” he scolded, passing it back to Lars.

“This is why I don’t eat meals in public with any of you,” Emmett grumped.

“Because we talk about your daughter’s hairy chest?” Ben supplied.

Landry made a sound, and Arsen laughed under his breath.

Emmett gave him a baleful look. “You sound better when your mouth is closed.”

“Don’t worry, Coach. No one would dare call you a pervert for dating Malibu Barbie in front of us,” Jamie said, shoveling the last of Rush’s waffle between his lips.

The entire table went quiet except for Jamie’s chewing. When he noticed we were all staring, his tongue swiped the syrup off his lower lip. “What?”

Madison groaned. “You just called Emmett a pervert.”

He shook his head. “No. I said no one else would call him that.” Glancing at Ryan, he added, “We all know that’s the reason Coach only hangs with us off campus.”

“Or maybe it’s because, technically, he’s not supposed to be dating a student, but the dean looks the other way,” Max offered.

Jamie shrugged. “That too.”

“I shouldn’t have come.” Emmett was gruff.

“But I’m glad you did,” Bodhi said quietly.

Emmett glanced at him, his entire face softening. “That’s why I’m here.”

“I thought it was because Ryan called a team meeting,” Wes said.

Emmett looked down the table at Ryan who was partially hidden by Rory sitting in his lap. “It’s my job to call team meetings. Not you. So what’s this all about, Walsh?”

Ryan’s eyes twinkled a bit. “When Jamie got bro-zoned, I got to thinking.”

Jamie dropped his fork. “How could you bring it up? I’m trying to eat,” he exclaimed, turning Ryan’s smirk into a grin. Turning to Madison, Jamie said, “Girl, look what you did. I can’t even eat. You have some epic explaining to do.”

Madison speared some waffle on her fork, swirled it in some maple syrup, and held it up to Jamie’s lips. “I told you. I just miss you,” she said, sweet as the syrup dripping from the bite. “How could I not miss all this charm?”

“Well, look at that. My appetite is back,” Jamie quipped, snatching the food off the fork.

“I’ve had muscle cramps more pleasant than him, but okay,” Coach muttered.

Madison fed Jamie more waffle, and he chewed excessively. “We haven’t had time for anything lately,” she mourned.

I agreed. “This is the first time we’ve all seen each other in a while.”

All the girls nodded.

Ryan pulled out his phone to tap on the screen. “Which is why I think we should go on vacay.”

“Vacation?” Lars echoed.

“Like a trip?” I asked, perking up.

Ryan nodded, tapping on his screen some more.

Since Rory was in his lap, she could see what he was looking at, and she gasped. “There?” She pointed.

“What do you think, Carrot? You like?” Ryan asked.

Turning, she flung her arms around his neck. “Best idea ever!”

Ryan chuckled.

“How about you share with the group?” Arsen put in.

Ryan turned his phone so everyone could see. “This chalet is available starting this weekend for the next week.”

I leaned over the table’s edge, focused on the massive wood and glass house with snow blanketing the roof and surroundings. “That’s not a house. That’s a castle,” I said.

Ryan laughed. “Technically, it’s a chalet with ten bedrooms, eleven baths, and it also has an indoor pool, two hot tubs, and access to the slopes.”

“Skiing?” I echoed, a hint of hesitation. That didn’t seem like something for the coordination-challenged. Aka me.

“Brooooo,” Jamie drawled, flinging his arm around Ryan’s neck. “This is why you’re the fixer.”

“Where’s it at?” Max wanted to know.

“White Pine Summit,” Ryan replied. “It’s the biggest ski resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a few hours’ drive from here, but it could be fun.”

“That place has the best skiing,” Win put in. “I’ve been wanting to get on the slopes.”

“How did you manage to find something available on such short notice when it’s winter break?” Landry wondered.

“It’s a massive house,” Rush put in. “It’s probably expensive as hell.”

“Not if we split the cost sixteen ways,” Ryan supplied.

“I’m not going on a ski trip with my swimmers.” Emmett denied.

Beside him, Bodhi frowned.

“Then go on one with your family,” Rush countered.

Emmett seemed caught off guard as though he was considering it but then started to shake his head.

“It’s hours from here and winter break. It has nothing to do with college or classes. Aren’t you allowed to do what you want in your free time?” I asked.

Bodhi looked at me. The blue beanie covering his short blond hair emphasized his blue eyes and the gratefulness filling them.

Emmett pursed his lips.

“You could take vacation,” Bodhi said, turning those eyes back to his boyfriend.

“It’s swim season.” He was gruff.

“There’s a pool at the chalet,” Jamie countered.

Emmett made a face. “I highly doubt it’s as big as Elite’s.”

“There’s a gym too,” Arsen said, glancing down at his phone. He must have googled the place.

“ Please , Em.” Bodhi batted his lashes. “Unless, of course, you ski as good as you surf. Then maybe we should stay home.”

Emmett’s face darkened. “Listen here, you little brat. I’ve been skiing my whole life. I’d outski all of you in my sleep.”

Bodhi looked proud that he’d riled him.

“Did they even have skis when you were a kid, Coach?” Ben asked.

“They probably just strapped sleds to their feet,” Win mused.

Emmett sighed. “I’m jealous of all the people who have never met you.”

“Order up!” Shirley called, appearing with everyone’s food.

We all sat quietly as she passed out burgers, sandwiches, and fries.

I sipped on the trauma latte and leaned over Ben toward Arsen. “Can I see?” I asked quietly.

Arsen handed his phone over, and I scrolled through the listing for the chalet, aka castle, in the snow. I’d never stayed in a house so big. So opulent. Sure, I knew they existed, but never in my life did I imagine I’d be looking at one, pondering sleeping in it.

The young girl who used to cower under her covers in the dark while her mom and latest fling got high in the living room and screamed at each other never would have dreamed that big.

Ben’s hand slid over my upper thigh. “You like?”

I made a sound. “What’s not to like? Look at it!”

His chin rested on my shoulder. “Let me see,” he rumbled in my ear, making my scalp prickle with awareness.

I angled the phone so we could look at it together.

“You wanna go?” he asked after a moment.

Who wouldn’t? “I don’t think I can afford this place, even splitting it sixteen ways.”

He made a rude noise. “As if I’d let you pay.”

“I didn’t realize you let me do anything, Benjamin Hayes.”

“I can think of lots of things I’d let you do to me,” he murmured, tugging my earlobe between his teeth.

I grabbed his nose and pinched his nostrils together.

He jerked back. “What the hell, final girl?” he exclaimed, voice nasally.

Everyone laughed.

I let go, and he glowered.

“I’m not letting you pay for me,” I insisted. It was bad enough that he paid all the rent on our townhouse a year in advance so I couldn’t argue about pitching in.

“I want to,” he said, rubbing his nose. Men were such giant babies. I didn’t even pinch it hard.

“You can all go without me,” I said, the words trying to stick in my throat.

“What?” Madison exclaimed.

“No way,” Landry echoed.

“It wouldn’t be a family trip if the whole family wasn’t there,” Rory added.

“What if I pay for you?” Prism said from Arsen’s lap.

I glanced at my brother. “I can’t let you do that, Matty.” Especially since he and Arsen paid most of the utilities at the house.

Between Ben, Matty, and Arsen, I barely paid for a thing at home because they made it their mission to get there before me. Because of that, I was able to start saving for my wedding dress for when Ben and I got married someday. I figured I’d better start now since it might take a while.

I guess I could use that to help pay for my portion of the trip… No. It might suck now, but I’d be grateful later that I’d kept my little savings for our wedding.

“What if we make it your Christmas present?” Arsen suggested.

“What?” I said, turning my eyes to my newest brother.

Prism nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. Consider it your Christmas present from me and Arsen.”

I bit into my lower lip. It was tempting. I mean, the gift of an entire week with my friends, making memories, was the best gift anyone could receive.

Finally, I shook my head. “It’s still too much.”

“Too much as an early Christmas gift from your brothers.” Kruger agreed. “But not too much as a wedding gift from your husband.”

“Uhhh…” Win started.

Kruger held up his hand. “Don’t even start,” he told the table. His voice was so serious that everyone shut up.

“Ben?” I questioned.

Reaching into my lap, he took my left hand and lifted it to stare at the gorgeous engagement rings he’d put there several months ago. They were beyond beautiful, the bow sparkling even in the dim lighting of the diner.

I could feel the eyes of every person at our table, the shift in the very air in the room. Ben rubbed a thumb over the rings, shifting his attention to me, the green and brown of his eyes making my stomach dip. A fine tremble started beneath my skin, a nervous energy as my body seemed to pick up on what was happening before my mind.

“Marry me.”

Someone nearby made a low sound, but I didn’t turn to look, held captive by his intent stare. By the request he made.

“I already said I’d marry you,” I answered, breathless, stomach swooping again.

“Now.”

“Now?” I echoed, not sure I understood. I was a smart girl, but this conversation filled my brain with thick sludge.

“Well, not now, now ,” he lamented. “Next week. At White Pine Summit. We’ll spend an entire week with our friends. Good times, good eats… And then you’ll marry me. Right there in that place you call a castle.”

“The ultimate response to getting bro-zoned,” Jamie whispered, completely awed.

“How romantic.” Landry sighed.

“W-we can’t just get married,” I rebutted, heart thudding unevenly.

“Why not?” Ben demanded. “Do you want to marry me?”

“More than anything,” I whispered.

“It’s settled.” He nodded, decisive. “Winter break is now wedding week.” Ben glanced around the table. “You bros down?”

“To wedding week!” Jamie said, lifting his trauma latte toward the center of the table in a toast.

Everyone else followed his lead, cheering and clinking the cups together. I just sat there completely flabbergasted. I mean, even my flabbers were gasted. Who just up and decides to get married in a week?

“It’s not a proper toast unless the bride joins in,” Ben said, elbowing me lightly in the side.

I looked up, the entire group holding up their cups, waiting for me to follow.

“Frankly, I’m just relieved we won’t have to correct him every time he calls Jess his wife anymore,” Rush quipped.

“You didn’t have to correct me in the first place,” Ben muttered.

“Maybe we should give Kruger and Jess a chance to talk privately,” Madison suggested.

I realized then that they were all still waiting. Their arms were probably tired.

“Food’s getting cold,” Jamie mourned.

Ben turned to me, a slight downturn in his lips. His eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite identify. A look I didn’t recognize on him. Almost anxiety. Maybe fear?

Whatever it was… I hated it.

“We don’t have to get married,” he said quietly. “We can still have an epic winter break.”

“No!” I denied instantly, palming my cup and pushing it into the center with everyone else’s. “We’re getting married!” I exclaimed, even if part of me didn’t believe we’d be able to put that together in less than a week.

More cheers went around, and everyone pulled their cups down to take a sip. Probably shouldn’t have toasted our upcoming nuptials with trauma lattes, but too late.

Everyone dug into their food while Ryan booked the house right there on his phone.

“There’s ice skating!” Rory said, watching his screen. “Oooh, and a spa!”

“ Oh, we are so doing a girl’s pamper day. It can be Jess’s bachelorette party!” Madison exclaimed.

“Yes!” Landry agreed.

“I’m not wearing a suit,” Max informed the group.

I gasped. “I don’t have a dress!” I glanced at Ben. “I’ll never be able to find a dress on such short notice.”

Ben shrugged. “Wear sweatpants.”

All the girls gasped.

Arsen rumbled a laugh. “Here we go.”

“Benjamin Hayes Kruger, how dare you suggest that she wear sweatpants on the most special day of her life?” Madison exclaimed.

“How could you suggest something so romantic and swoon-worthy and then follow it up with that ?” Rory lamented.

Ben glanced around the table. “What?”

Jamie shook his head. “You walked right into this, bro.”

Wes made a face. “I’m gay, and even I know the dress is the most important.”

Ben looked at Prism. “Help me out, bro.”

“Arguing with them is like trying to read the terms of use agreements online. Eventually, you just have to give up and agree,” Prism told him.

Arsen nodded. “Just apologize.”

“Oh, for shit’s sake,” Ben muttered, rotating in the booth to face me. “If you want a gorgeous dress, then I’ll make sure you get one. But just so we’re clear, I don’t care what you wear to our wedding as long as you come. You could wear a garbage bag, not comb your hair, and have popcorn stuck in your teeth, and I’d still think you were the prettiest bride to ever exist. I’ll still love you for a lifetime.”

“Ben,” I whispered, my voice husky. Reaching up, I palmed his face, staring into the sincerity he held out on a silver platter.

“I don’t care about any of that stuff, final girl. I only care about making you mine.”

“I already am yours.”

“Nice save, bro,” Ryan murmured.

“Guess the wedding is back on,” Jamie mused.

“It was never off, asshole,” Ben flung across the table. Then his eyes sought mine. “Right?”

“Right.” I agreed.

And just like that, I became the person who up and decided to get married in a week.

It was crazy, right? Overwhelming for sure. But it was also everything I always wanted.

We’re getting married!