Wasted Time (The Steel City #1)

68. Penny

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

penny

I sip on my fizzy cooler, tucked in the back of the party, away from the mass of family and friends that have gathered at the lake. We’re at Declan’s family’s cabin, and though a decent size, both the house and the land feel slightly too small today with the number of people that have come to his homecoming party.

My heart could burst with the amount of love surrounding me.

We pulled up about an hour ago. Declan’s parents already had everything set up, much to my dismay, and it’s gorgeous. It’s catered, too. I feel horrible not being able to help, but there was quite literally nothing left to do. I think Maureen would have smacked me with a spatula if I tried.

The grass is perfectly cut, and flowers line the driveway in beautiful potted arrangements. They’ve set up giant, white tents, flooded with tables and seating for later. They’ve even gone so far as to rent these umbrella space heaters to ensure that everyone keeps warm if the party runs late.

The Lowes’ had their neighbours drive their boats over so that people can hit the lake if they want, but nobody has moved in the hour that we’ve been here. Not one person has taken their eyes off Declan.

I wind one hand around my waist, a smile tugging on my lips. Our friends are trying to give him some space, but they're chomping at the bit, waiting for the masses to leave him alone. An hour, and they’ve gotten no closer to the cup.

EJ is going to snatch it and run soon.

Declan is slowly making his way toward the table that his parents set up in front of the water. He’s trying to get there, but it’s proving to be a hard endeavor. That’s the finish line. Once he reaches that spot, he can put that damn cup down and take as many pictures as he needs to. There, he’ll have a respite, because I can see him from all angles and if he needs a break—I’ve got him covered.

I keep my distance because I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with both him and that big, shiny cup. This party isn’t for me. It’s not even for him, really. It’s for every other person in this crowd.

I’m okay with sharing him for the night.

When he stops, cup still in hand, to exchange a few words with his younger cousin, he must feel my stare. Hazel eyes meet mine. The corner of his mouth ticks up a bit, finding me in the crowd like he always does.

I smile back, winking his way. I know this day is a lot for him. I want him to remember that this can be fun.

His grin grows wider.

He glances over his shoulder, making eye contact with someone above everyone else’s heads. He nods his head in my direction but turns his attention back to his cousin just as quickly .

He’s almost reached the table.

He’s so close.

Like a herd of sheep, a group of people separate from the crowd.

His people.

My people.

Wyatt buries his hands in the pockets of his gray dress pants. His eyes are hidden behind a black pair of sunglasses. All the boys are wearing shades, which isn’t unusual for summer—but I have a feeling they’re trying to appear calm, cool, and collected when they aren’t in the slightest.

They’re on the verge of crying. I’d bet ten dollars Seth already has.

“I don’t need babysitters,” I tell them once they reach me. If they want to be with him in the crowd, they should get to do that.

Wyatt bends down to hug me, his big hand splaying on the back of my white sundress. He places a kiss on my head and lets out a little sigh of relief like having me back in his midst is therapeutic for him.

“Of course you don’t,” he murmurs, pulling back. He got a fresh trim for this, and he looks as handsome as ever. “But I think he wants us all in one place, so he knows where his safe point is.”

“I’m going to try not to take offense that you haven’t seen us in weeks and that’s the first thing you say to us,” EJ scoffs. He pats the pocket of his black pants. “I have come armed. Tequila.”

One of my favourite words. My second favourite beverage.

Seth drops a cooler bag under the table we’re standing at. “Beer.”

“And Avery,” Avery sings, sliding around the boys to come to my side. We only got in this morning, so we haven’t seen the crew yet, though I’ve been counting down the seconds. It’s a strange feeling to be in town when one of the first stops isn’t straight to them. Avery looks me up and down, a big smile on her face. “Hey beautiful. You look beautiful.”

I cock an eyebrow at her jade green slip dress, which looks radiant against her olive skin. “Me?”

My best friend is a goddess.

“I went a little crazy after we picked dress colours last month,” she says with a roll of her eyes. She pulls me into a hug. We had a few drunken calls ordering swatches for her bridesmaid dresses. At one point, she just started ordering dresses with intentions to return them. Clearly, she didn’t.

“That’s a little too short for us to wear,” I admit with a laugh.

“I just wanted a feel for the fabric. They come longer too. What do you think?”

“It’s stunning.”

Avery sighs. “I know, but I’ve looked at the colour green so long that I now hate it. Back to the drawing board.”

Declan finally drops the cup on the table, and the crowd erupts . The crew’s attention diverts back to him. He waves to everyone, a bit awkwardly, but nobody prepares you for a party like this.

I wedge my can between my elbow so that I can join in the applause.

Declan smiles shyly as the crowd cheers. It’s cute.

I glance toward the cabin. His parents are up there on the deck, his dad’s arm draped tightly around his mother. She wipes her eyes frantically, my own mother at her side. Sandy Sweeten pats Maureen’s hand with reassurance. My dad is just beside them, sipping his beer and watching the crowd with as much pride as I am.

There’s so much that I love about this image.

I love that they all get along.

I love that Declan’s parents love me. Especially Maureen. Even after the hand towels.

I love that Declan insisted on getting my mother flowers when we got into town, since this would be the first time he’d be meeting her as my boyfriend, and not just the handsome hockey player that honks every time he’s about to leave town. My mother loves that he still says her name like Danny from Grease when he sees her.

So much has changed, yet so much remains the same. It’s happy here, in our own little bubble. And it is still our bubble. I refuse to let it pop.

A loud whistle rips through the trees.

Every single person on this lawn turns to Lauren and her husband at the end of our line. Lauren smiles innocently, shrugging her shoulders as she pulls her fingers from her mouth.

“I think we need a speech!”

The crowd goes absolutely crazy.

I raise my brows, slowly turning back to Dec. That sounds like his nightmare.

He’s glaring at her, but those dimples are there, clear as day. He sighs, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. He cut it recently. Trimmed his beard quite short too, which made me sad, but I can still run my hands through those waves, and he is still as handsome as ever. He isn’t used to it though. He keeps pulling it back with his hand every five minutes, and every time he does, I stop breathing for half a second.

Dec’s eyes lock on our little group.

“Hi everyone,” he starts, and the crowd drops to a deadly silence. He offers an awkward wave. “Um, I didn’t plan on a speech. Thanks, Lau. ”

Lauren wiggles her fingers in his direction, sipping her champagne.

He smiles, scanning the faces around him, who all peer up at him with an air of wonder. These people are important in some way or another, even if they are just people who have supported him in his career as a fan. Like Lauren’s entire ninth grade class, who dressed to the nines to be here. They look like they’re going to pee their pants.

“Look, I am not a big public speaker, so I’ll keep this short. I just want to say that this is something I have dreamed about since I was capable of dreaming. I am still completely shocked that this baby has been in my hands. It feels like I’m about to wake up at any second.”

He places his hand on the rim of the cup. His eyes glide over it. Disbelief. Pride. Happiness.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my parents. They were my unofficial managers and financial endorsers since I could put skates on my feet. Love you, mom and dad. I am not quite sure I’ve said thank you enough over the years but thank you.”

He waves in their direction.

His mother breaks into happy sobs, leaning into her husband’s side. I’m sure she’s seeing her little boy right now. Dark, messy hair and chubby cheeks, drowning in a tiny jersey as he falls onto the ice over and over with a big, dimpled smile on his face.

Declan’s dad points to him, winking in a way that makes him look so much like Declan. It’s no wonder he scored a rocket like Maureen all those years ago.

Declan’s gaze slowly turns back to us. His crew. We look back at him, endlessly proud and a bit too emotional. His gaze sweeps over all of us, from Lauren all the way to Avery. His throat bobs and my heart melts.

We feel it too, baby. We love you just as much.

He waves his hand in our direction now, letting out a laugh as he clears his throat.

“This group of people have been with me every step of the way. My boys, who are still the best teammates I’ve ever skated with, who are even better teammates in life. You guys are the worst people I know, and I wouldn’t change a single fucking thing about you.”

“Here, here!” EJ calls out, lifting his beer.

Declan’s smile widens. “You guys know I hate this shit. Just know that I love you and having you there on that day meant more to me than I could ever tell you.”

I can’t look at the guys. If I see any ounce of emotion on their faces, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold it together.

“The girls,” Declan continues, his voice softening. “We’d all be lost without you. You guys are some of the most loyal people I have ever met. I would ride into battle for any of you. I hope you know that.”

Avery places a hand over her heart, leaning into my side.

“Lucky.”

I hold my breath, keeping my eyes locked on his, even when my cheeks flush at the looks that snap my way. My heart flutters in my chest, memorizing this moment, memorizing the way he’s looking at me.

I reach down and take Avery’s hand in mine to steady myself. She squeezes three times.

Declan’s throat bobs. He laughs through the emotion that washes over him again, dimples popping through his stubble.

“The only journey more difficult and grueling than the one to this cup was the one to get to you,” he starts, and EJ snorts—loud and knowing. Our friends can’t help their laughter. Nobody else gets the joke, but it’s a good one. “You are worth ten of these. Every bump in the road, every mistake, it was all worth it. Winning you was the biggest victory of my life.”

I smile gently, blinking away my tears.

“God. I love you, baby.”

Someone in my line whoops. I think it’s Seth. It makes the crowd start cheering, and I instantly want to die from how people are eating up something that feels so private, so I focus on Declan instead.

“I love you, too,” I mouth.

Declan blinks rapidly, turning toward the cup.

I hurriedly wipe my eyes, letting out a breathy laugh. These moments keep happening. These small pockets in time where we just realize how lucky we are.

And we are so, so lucky.

“All of this to say,” he says, his voice louder now. “You will all get your pictures and your time. I promise. But those people at that table right there are going to go first.”

Wyatt sucks in a breath.

Declan glances back at us, smile all broad and widening by the second. He holds out his hand, beckoning us forward.

Avery and I slide around the table, hand in hand. We lead the charge and the small crowd parts for us. I keep my eyes on Declan the whole time. Walking toward him makes everything feel easier. The attention doesn’t matter. The pictures people snap don’t either. Just him.

When Avery and I reach him, he opens his arms and tugs us both right to his chest. Lips find my hair. I look up just in time to see those same lips kiss the top of Ave’s head.

I slide out of his arms so that these excited boys can have their moment. They’re absolutely geeking out, grinning like school kids.

Declan barks out a laugh, amused by his friends being so enamored by being so close to the cup.

“Can I kiss it now?” EJ asks quietly, looking like he’s about to do it anyway.

Declan’s eyes flicker past him to me. “P goes first.”

“Well, duh,” Seth mutters.

“No,” I say, shaking my head and waving him off. I’ve had time with it. It doesn’t mean the same thing to me as it does to them. These are childhood dreams and goals that they’ve bonded over for years. “Team first.”

EJ lets out a small noise of excitement and throws his fist in the air.

Declan’s eyes soften. “You sure?”

I dip my chin. Of course, I am. Declan winning the cup might have always been his dream, but it’s also been their dream since the moment he slipped a professional jersey over his head.

Declan’s gaze immediately whirls to the man standing right behind me. The man with coffee-coloured eyes and a sweet, crooked smile. The man who hasn’t said anything since he walked up to the cup, but who is staring at it like it has the power to change the world with just one tap of his fingers.

Declan reaches forward, placing his hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. He gives him a gentle shake.

“You ready, Caulfield?”

“Fuck,” Wyatt bites out, blinking himself back into reality. He shakes out his hands. “No.”

Declan raises his brows. “You want to pass?”

“I didn’t fucking say that, did I?” Wyatt snaps. He starts nodding hurriedly, and I’m so grateful when Lauren’s husband slides out of the line with his professional camera to capture this moment. “Alright, Lowesy. Let’s do this.”

Declan hauls the cup from the table, one hand on either end. EJ and Seth’s breaths hitch when he turns it toward them. They both take a careful step backward, their eyes wide as saucers.

My heart turns into a liquid puddle.

They suddenly aren’t men starting their thirties together, they are little boys with big dreams and bright eyes.

Declan passes the trophy, holding it out in front of him for Wy to take. For a moment, Wyatt only stares at it, eyes round and unblinking. After a breath, he reaches for it, one hand on the rim and one on the base.

He takes that cup from Declan’s hands and raises it over his head like he’s on the ice himself. He cheers, the sound raw and excited and so damn giddy that all that energy becomes contagious.

The swarm of people surrounding us catch Wyatt’s happiness bug. They cheer like crazy. The crowd roars for him as if he won the cup himself.

“Aw, where’s it’s smooch, Wy?” Declan calls out above the noise. His hand slides to my lower back and I relax against the safety of his touch.

“Kiss it, you idiot!” EJ hisses loudly beside him.

Wyatt’s smile could blind the planet when he bends his arms and brings that trophy to his mouth. He presses his lips to the metal, and the crowd erupts even louder. The excitement will die down once the tenth person poses for their picture. I’m selfishly glad that Wyatt’s hands were the first to touch it. That he was the one who got to have this big moment.

Wyatt hoists it over his head again. That mega-watt smile infects the entire party.

My eyes are wet. When did that happen? I don’t bother to wipe the tear that falls, but I notice Dec’s eyes swimming with them too.

“He’s so happy,” a small voice at my side says .

I glance at Avery, and that’s when I realize all of us are in tears. Lauren, Tiffany, EJ… all of us.

“Yeah,” I whisper, still watching Wyatt as he passes the cup to EJ. He spins around once EJ thrusts it above his head, his laughter booming like a beating heart. He pulls Declan into a hug, still radiating a joy that I’ve missed in him. Dec closes his eyes, winding his arms around Wy—grateful that he still has the option to hug him. “He is.”