The men had spent the last hour laughing at corny dad jokes, and they tossed harmless insults around, it was a good time. What was better? Sharing this home with his wife and son. Gage's football sat in the corner of the living room along with his shoulder pads. Brody had taken him down to sign up for football as soon as registration opened up. This year, Gage was playing tight end. He was too big and not quite fast enough to be a wide receiver, but he was perfect as a tight end, even though the coach had to be convinced to give him a try in that position. Brody smiled remembering the day the coach was convinced to change his mind on where to play Gage. His size tended to intimidate people. His size, plus Brody, Blay, Kyle, Sean and Rory had unequivocally silenced any argument the coach had about where Gage would be playing. He was so glad they could come to a quick and equitable agreement. Gage had great hands, and he was growing fast. When he caught up to his body and gained some coordination, the kid would be phenomenal.
"Yo, Brody, you going to raise or you going to daydream?" Brock's voice brought him out of his musings. He glanced down at his three aces and two queens and grimaced. "What's the pot at?"
"Fifty cents to you." Carter put his cards down and lifted his glass. "I'm on empty. Anyone else?"
The chorus of yeses put a pause on the games as the tables emptied and the men moved into the kitchen and the makeshift bar. Brody put his hand down, careful not to let anyone see his cards. This pot was his.
Brock kicked his feet under the table. They didn't get up to refill their glasses because Blay was pressed into duty even though he was sitting at the other table. When he looked at his older brother and arched his eyebrows in question, the guy smiled at him. "Welcome to the ranks of the married."
Brody chuckled. He and Amber had made a fast trip to Boston and gotten married last weekend. Boston was nearby, out of town and away from family. It was a perfect place to tie the knot. The only person they’d told was Gage, and the kid kept the secret. Much to his grandmother's dismay. Amber had handled it perfectly, asking Hannah to help her with a family reception next month.
After the Friday afternoon ceremony, they'd spent the weekend doing the tourist thing and eating tons of great food. They'd splurged on a hotel room with two master suites. Gage about freaked out, in a good way, when he realized he had a room to himself. It took about three hours of research and a ton of phone calls to secure that exact style of room. He wanted Gage with them when they were married, but he was going to have a honeymoon, too. The split masters put a living room between them, which worked perfectly for his plans.
"Where's Gage tonight?"
"Johnny’s dad organized an overnight camping trip. The last one before school starts."
"How is Gage taking moving to a new school?"
"He's bummed, but they'd be changing schools moving into sixth grade anyway. He already knows a couple of the kids, the ones on his football team, so he won't be going in as a complete stranger."
"And Amber? How is she adapting to JDET?"
"God, she's a perfect fit. Rayburn and Watson have adopted her. You can't separate those three." He laughed and leaned his weight forward, glancing into the kitchen where Rory and Blay were clowning around and amusing the rest of the crowd. "I've always loved her, man. I always will. Tell me you found that with Kallie."
Brock smiled and closed his eyes for a second. "She's my perfect counterbalance."
Brody leaned back as Blay walked their way, two cups clutched in one big hand. Brody thanked his brother for the drink before he told Brock, "I know the feeling."
"What feeling?" Kyle and Carter sat back down with them while his dad, Colm, Blay, Rory and Sean sat at the other table.
"Balance. In life and at work." Brody picked up his hand and tossed two quarters into the pot. "Call."
"Who wants cards?" Kyle picked up the deck since it was his deal. Brock took two, Carter, one. He stood pat and so did Kyle.
"Balance is hard to find, but when you do, grab it," Carter said before