The Setup and the Substitute by Jiffy Kate

Epilogue

Owen

“This isa little different attire than we’re used to,” Mack says, straightening his tie in the mirror. “But at least we’re not in fucking penguin suits.”

Bo, Ross, and I laugh, knowing Mack was very against tuxedos. Thankfully for him, tonight’s wedding is a little more low-key, so we’re all decked out in dark grey suits with red ties.

It’s the weekend before Christmas, so our suits match the theme.

The Revelers played deep into October, making it to the playoffs, but losing the Big Show by a couple games.

I know everyone always says, “We’ll get ‘em next year,” but I truly believe we will. All of the components are there. The team is solid with no plans of big trades during the off-season. Everyone is healthy and working well together. There’s literally nothing standing in our way.

“How about a toast,” Ross says, placing four lowball glasses on the table and opening an expensive-looking bottle of whiskey. “To the bride and groom. All the health, wealth, and happiness in the world.”

“To the bride and groom,” Mack and I say in unison as we raise our glass in Bo’s direction.

“Any final words?” Ross asks, eyeing his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

Bo tosses back the whiskey and then sets the glass back down on the table. Clearing his throat, he thinks for a moment. “I need to know one thing,” he starts, sounding serious. “Why didn’t you bring a date, Granger?”

Mack shakes his head as he pours himself one more glass. “Everyone knows weddings are where you pick up chicks.”

“Except for weddings where everyone is already spoken for,” Ross chides. “You’re supposed to be the ultimate bachelor… or what did that gossip blog call you last month? Big League’s Biggest Playboy?”

“You know you only got that title because Bo Bennett is tying the knot,” I tease.

Ross holds a hand up to his ear. “Can you hear that?” he asks, playing up the dramatics. “That’s the sound of hearts breaking around the world.”

“Fuck off,” Bo says, shaking his head, but still cool as a cucumber.

I guess, when you know, you know.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve gotten to know both him and Lola and it’s obvious to anyone who spends time with them that they’re the real deal. Relationship goals, as some would say.

But I’m not envious, not anymore, because I’ve got Sophie. And after I give her the ring that’s been burning a hole in my pocket for the past month, we’ll be doing this very same thing.

Might be a few weeks from now… a few months from now… or even a year down the road, but all that matters is eventually, she’s going to be my wife. And the mother of my children… and future children.

I can’t wait to spend forever with Sophie.

“We better be doing this for you next,” Mack says, eyeing me over the rim of his glass.

I want to tell him to get the fuck out of my head, but instead, I just give him a smirk. “What makes you say that?”

“Molly thinks she’s been your girlfriend long enough,” he says, like it’s common knowledge. “She said her friend Hannah’s dad got married and she was the flower girl. Now, she needs the two of you to tie the knot so Hannah can stop bragging about her high heeled shoes.”

Ross, Bo, and I stare at him like he’s lost his damn mind.

“Are you now entertaining first grade gossip?” Ross asks.

Mack just shrugs. “It’s better than getting wrapped up in all the bullshit that’s said about us.”

“You might be onto something,” Bo says, giving Mack’s shoulder a pat.

I love that my kids love Sophie as much as I do. She was worried in the beginning that they would feel weird about us being together. But other than a few arguments about where Sophie was going to sleep—Molly and Ryan not wanting her to leave their hallway and me not wanting to sleep without her in my bed—we’ve all adjusted pretty well.

I’m sure there are still some struggles ahead, because that’s life, but we’ll handle them the way we’ve done everything else over the past few months—together.

“It’s about that time,” Ross says, walking to the door to peek out into the hallway. “Are we ready?”

“Never been more ready for anything in my life,” Bo says, inching past him and out the door.

Once we’re positioned at the front of the warehouse-turned-wedding venue, my stomach does a funny flip as I anticipate seeing Sophie. She’s been with Lola and Casey for the past day and I’ve missed her.

Since the season ended, we haven’t spent more than an afternoon away from each other. Every morning I wake up next to her and every night she’s the last thing I see before I close my eyes.

It’s how I’d like to spend the rest of my life.

If I could talk her into homeschooling the kids, I’d suggest us being together every day, even during the season. But I know that’s selfish and I have to put them first. So, I’ll suck it up and just enjoy the time I have with them.

When the music shifts gears, I glance over to see Bo’s eyes trained on the doors at the back.

This place is perfect for them. It has a touch of elegance, but also an edge to it that’s perfect for a rockstar marrying a baseball player.

One of Lola’s original songs filters through the room and I watch as Bo wipes at the corner of his eye. I don’t blame him one bit. This shit is emotional and I’m kind of getting choked up myself.

There’s a creak as the old wood doors open wide and that’s when I see her.

Sophie smiles brightly as she makes her way down the aisle wearing a dark green dress that accentuates her pale blonde hair. When her eyes find mine, her smile grows and I feel like the luckiest bastard on the planet.

We exchange glances through the entire ceremony, and I watch as Sophie’s eyes tear up when Bo and Lola say their vows. But I never take my eyes off her.

When she looks back at me, I mouth the words I love you and she mouths them right back.

Later, as the reception is in full swing, I take her in my arms and hold her on the dance floor. We haven’t had many opportunities to dance, outside of a few impromptu sessions in the kitchen, but those are always interrupted by Molly and Ryan.

Tonight, Molly is being fully entertained by Mack, who’s letting her stand on his feet as they dance. Ryan is happy as a lark sitting at the table eating a piece of cake.

“This is beautiful,” Sophie says, her head tilted back, taking in the twinkling lights above.

“My thoughts exactly,” I tell her, leaning in to kiss the spot just below her ear. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of you all night.”

She twists her lips into an adorable smile and I can’t help but kiss them. After a few chaste moments, she pulls back. “You look so handsome. This suit reminds me of the night you showed up to take me on a date.”

That was only about five months ago, but so much has happened during that time, it feels longer.

Sophie gave up her apartment and permanently moved in with us.

She also accepted a position teaching first grade at the same school Molly goes to. It wasn’t the exact job she was hoping for, but it’s mid-year and she decided she would take what she could get. Plus, it keeps her close and Ryan can take the bus over to meet up with her and Molly after school.

Of course, like with everything, there have been ups and downs and a few growing pains.

Just last month, Lisa was sentenced to three years in prison. Since it was her first offense, she’ll probably get out early on good behavior, but for now she’s figuring her shit out behind bars.

As for the kids, they asked about her in the beginning and Sophie and I sat them down, explaining that Lisa had to go away for a while. Since she’s been absent so often in their lives, they took that at face value and haven’t really brought it up since.

Hopefully, there will come a day—when Lisa is out of prison and truly sober—she’ll be able to have a relationship with our children. But now isn’t that time.

Our lives feel full and real and honest, everything that was missing before Sophie. I rest easy in that, knowing Molly and Ryan are taken care of and loved, more than they’ll ever know.

“Oh, my goodness,” she gushes. “Look at those two.”

Mack and Molly are just across the dance floor, still dancing, and Molly’s smile is a thousand watts. When she catches us watching, she lets go of Mack’s arm and waves.

“Give me your phone,” Sophie insists.

Pulling it out of the pocket on the inside of my suit jacket I hand it over and she snaps a couple pics of Molly and Mack. Then, she takes a second to text them to herself before handing the phone back.

“God, that’s adorable.” Shaking her head, she cuts her eyes back over to them. “He’s a really good guy, huh?”

I nod, watching the two of them. “Yeah, he is. I think he likes that he has a bit of a reputation. It keeps people guessing.”

“Like a cover,” Sophie says, turning her eyes back to me. “I know someone else who used to have a pretty hard cover.”

“Who, me?”

She laughs, tilting her head back as she holds onto me, and it’s one of the best sounds in the world. “Yes, you. When I first met you, you were all gruff and serious, but that’s not really who you are at all.”

“It’s not?” I ask, loving the way those blue eyes sparkle in the dim light.

She shakes her head. “No—I mean, yes, you can be serious, but you’re so much more than that.” Her expression softens and she reaches up with one hand to cup my jaw. “You’re so good and kind. One of the best dads I’ve ever met. Loyal, sometimes to a fault, but it’s still very admirable. And sexy as hell.”

“Sexy, huh?”

Laughing again, she pokes my side. “You don’t need me to tell you that.”

“Yes, I do. It means more coming from you.”

I’ll take Sophie’s compliments over any tabloid report or fan’s praise. Those things are superficial and surface level. What Sophie thinks of me is what really matters.

“I’ll tell you every day for the rest of our lives,” she says, leaning in and resting her cheek on my chest as we continue to sway to the music.

“I’m going to hold you to that.”