Chapter 09.01

After the game, we waited until most of the crowd had cleared out.

“Pizzeria?” Frankie asked while we waited.

“It’s your birthday,” Brian smiled at him.

“I hope you’re not upset about Daryl’s idea,” Diane said cautiously.

“Not at all,” Frankie grinned. “You guys made this birthday unforgettable.”

We left the stadium and Brian drove us to a pizzeria near the city park.

It was a wooden building with large windows. The kitchen was right by the entrance, where a guy in colorful clothes and oversized glasses greeted us.

The pizzeria had a nostalgic style—the waitresses wore quirky, colorful outfits or pants, accessorized with huge necklaces and headbands. Flowers and peace signs were painted all over the white walls.

They found us a large enough table by the window, far from the entrance.

The guys sat on one side, the girls on the other. Everything was a swirl of colors.

The girls immediately started chatting about the wedding, admiring Diane’s ring—except Jenny. I was about to ask her about it, but Diane beat me to it.

“Jane,” she asked cheerfully, “you already saw it, didn’t you?”

Daryl looked embarrassed, while Jenny just smiled.

“I couldn’t let a man get lost in the options,” my love laughed.

“It’s okay, love,” Diane threw a quick kiss to Daryl. “This is exactly what I wanted.”

“I picked it,” Daryl said quickly. “Jane showed me three, but the final choice was mine.”

“That’s true. I’m glad you like it—it’s a beautiful ring,” my girlfriend smiled.

I smirked—she had said the exact same thing to my sister, meaning this ring wasn’t her style either. I glanced at it—it was similar to Amber’s, but with a larger stone and a wider setting.

The girls kept discussing wedding plans, while Jenny sat quietly, listening as she ate her pizza. The others were more focused on talking than eating.

“I’ll be right back,” I said after finishing my food and headed to the restroom. Brian followed and stopped me halfway.

“Jay,” he asked. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Your decisions have consequences,” he clarified.

“Seems like no one openly worries anymore,” I laughed. “But this was actually a good decision.”

“After last year’s outbursts, don’t be surprised,” he said. “But yeah… this was a good decision—unlike last year’s.”

“You could’ve told me back then if you disagreed,” I pointed out.

“To you?” he laughed. “What were we supposed to say—that going to that faraway school was a mistake and you were being an idiot? If we had, you would’ve dug in and stayed just to prove us wrong.”

“That’s not true,” I objected.

“It is, and you know it,” he grinned. “Jane was the only one who had a chance of getting through to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” he shrugged. “We just hoped you’d reach out to her and talk. Of course, you messed that up too,” he laughed.

“I have a feeling there’s more to this story,” I patted my friend’s shoulder, but he just grinned. “One day, you’ll get married, and I’ll give a speech.”

“You too,” he grinned. “So be smart about it.”

“Thanks,” I called after him as he headed back.

“You would’ve done the same for me,” she said and quickly hugged me.

“Did I miss something?” Aaron grinned beside us.

“Better if you forget it,” I said dryly.

“Alright, alright,” Aaron laughed and headed back to his seat with Brian, while I went to the restroom.

When I returned, there was enthusiastic nodding all around.

“Messyhair,” Jenny whispered, “do you feel like going to a party tonight?”

“Sure, I haven’t been to one here yet.”

We quickly said our goodbyes, and everyone went home to get ready. Diane and Daryl lived an hour and a half away, so Jenny took Diane shopping for an outfit while Daryl waited at Paul’s.

“Nice planning,” I laughed.

“Yeah,” Daryl looked happy. “Jane came up with it last year when you weren’t here, but we had to wait for Frankie’s birthday.”

“Do you have plans for the wedding?” I asked.

“Diane has a hundred different ones, so I’m leaving it to her,” he laughed. “Our parents already know—I told them this morning before we left.”

The girls arrived, dressed up, and we headed to a lively club Paul had recommended.