We head inside and I see the guys from the team. They are all here and so are Holland and Cole.
Holland comes up to us and hugs each of us and Cole says hi.
“Rebel and Wolfe aren’t here yet,” Holland explains excitedly. “I’m so excited for her.”
The girls make a cheery squeaky sound. They all clearly know each other well.
Ryse walks over to me. “Poppy,” he says. He looks me over and his brows furrow. “You look different.”
“I got dressed up and put on makeup,” I explain.
“Ha ha, very funny. Well, you look nice,” he says and leans over and kisses my temple. “You should’ve mentioned you were coming tonight. I would’ve arranged to pick you up.”
“It was fine. Blossom gave me a ride,” I say.
“Right, you mentioned hanging out with them,” he mutters almost to himself.
Blossom walks over. “Hey, Ryse, mind if I steal your sister?”
“Go ahead.” He nods.
I can tell it’s a little strange for Ryse to be seeing me here. I also feel like he may be having a moment where he realizes his baby sister is growing up, even though I’ve been growing up for a while but my old baggy clothes used to hide the fact.
“You want to get a beer?” Blossom asks.
“Ah, I don’t think I’ll get served here,” I whisper.
Cait walks up beside us. “Are you getting beer?” she asks Blossom then turns to me. “I’m not twenty-one yet either.”
“I plan on getting myself three beers then,” Blossom says. “Don’t worry. Darren isn’t here tonight.”
“Who’s Darren?” I ask.
“Darren is Blossom’s sexy boss. He’s the manager here. We all totally think he’s into her but Blossom here keeps telling us there isn’t anything going on,” Cait explains.
“That’s because there isn’t anything going on,” Blossom says. “He is super good-looking and so nice, but I need this job. It pays well and tips are phenomenal.”
“That’s because all these guys have fantasies of being with you,” Cait says.
A guy from the team walks over. “Hey, Blossom.”
“This is Evan Hayworth. He’s the teams center,” she shares. “Evan, you already know Cait. This is Poppy,” Blossom explains making introductions.
“She’s my sister,” Ryse screams practically from the other side of the pub.
I give my brother a death stare. Was he really watching me from the other side of the pub?
“Stay the fuck away from her,” he says to this Evan guy.
Evan lifts his hands up like he is surrendering and laughs. “Nice to meet you, Poppy.”
“You too,” I smile just as Declan walks into the pub. He looks so good in a gray thermal shirt that hugs his muscles in all the right places. His brown waves look flawless and his gray eyes make my breath catch, even from this distance. My gaze draws toward his jeans which are worn and fit snug along his strong thighs. He turns around to say hi to someone and I can’t help but check out his ass.
Evan looks over his shoulder and catches me checking out Declan. Damn. I pull my gaze away like I just spotted an old naked man. Evan cocks a brow and I give him a cheapish smile.
“That’s Declan McAvoy,” Blossom explains. “He’s hot as hell but he’s moody.”
I nod. This is going to be harder than I thought.
“You getting us those beers?” Cait reminds her.
“Catch you girls later,” Evan says and he gives me a weird grin.
Blossom walks up to the bar and asks for three beers. “Please tell me you’re very thirsty and these are for you and not them,” a guy says to her.
“This is Matt. He’s the chef here but tonight he’s also tending bar,” Blossom explains. “And yes, Matt, I’m super thirsty tonight.” She winks at him.
She grabs the three beers like a pro and we head to a table together. We take a seat.
“So does Rebel know this party is happening?” I ask.
“No,” Cait says. “They went into Boston for the day. He’s going to tell her that some of the guys want to meet up here, and she’ll probably complain but will agree to come. At least that’s how Wolfe envisioned it happening.”
“I’m so excited for her,” Blossom says.
“You didn’t let anything on, did you?” Cait asks.
“Nah, they were asleep when I left for class this morning,” Blossom assures. Then she looks at me. “They stay with me when they come to town.”
“Guys, they’re here,” some guy shouts.
Everyone hides. I duck under a table. Blossom and Cait move toward the front door but they do a walk ducking kind of move.
The place is covered in balloons and a big sign that says, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ It’s super cute.
I walk over to Ryse. Declan is only a few feet away and his gray eyes turn molten when he sees me. I swallow and look away.
Rebel and Wolfe come through the door and everyone screams, “Surprise!”
Rebel’s hands come up to cover her face and then she gives Wolfe a questioning look. She must not see the banner or maybe she’s too overwhelmed by all these people to pay attention.
Wolfe turns around to Cole. “You taping this?”
Cole nods, holding his phone up.
“Rebel,” Wolfe says and he drops to his knee. All the guys ooh and ahh. “Rebel. You came into my life unexpectedly. You showed me what it was like to be a fighter. To stand up for what you believe, but most of all you showed me love and what true love is. Before you I wasn’t really living, at least not the life I wanted to be living. I love our life in New York, but mostly I love you because for me home is where you are,” he says. Holy smokes, he is super sweet.
“Cheesy,” Ryse whispers beside me and I elbow him in the ribs.
“Hush,” I whisper.
Ryse rolls his eyes and I return my attention to Rebel, who has tear-rimmed eyes.
Wolfe reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red jewelry box. “Rebel, will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honor of being my wife?”
Rebel nods profusely over and over again as tears spring from her eyes. Wolfe slips one heck of a diamond ring on her finger. He then stands up. “Is that a yes?” he asks smiling wide.
“Yes, yes,” Rebel repeats and throws her arms around Wolfe’s neck and kisses him. They have a full-on make-out session as everyone around them hollers and cheers. They break apart and then all the guys are hugging Wolfe and all the girls are around Rebel gushing over her stunning diamond ring.
We continue to hang out. Everyone is in a super good mood and mingling. I polish off one beer and start on another. Problem is, I haven’t eaten much today, so I walk over to the food table that’s been set up with all kinds of burgers and appetizers. I begin to fill my plate.
“You look beautiful,” the voice is quiet and husky, and his breath is so close to my ear that it sends tingles down my spine.
“Thanks,” I say, putting a slider on my plate. “You shouldn’t be talking to me,” I remind Declan.
“I thought it would be weird if I didn’t say hi, considering you’re doing the Spotlight on me,” he says.