The Love Game

Ch.12 The Reveal

Chapter 12 The Reveal

Rachel P.O.V.

I wake up to a beautiful Monday morning. I just could not stop smiling. I felt like everything I did this morning was like walking through the clouds. Even my kids notice and gave me confused glares. I tried my best but kept on giggling to myself. After dropping them off at school I go to the office and finish up some paperwork. I decided to go visit Cat at the flower shop because I did not have any meeting today.

“Hey girly! What a happy surprise! You come to help?” Cat said in excitement. Mondays were slow days at the shop and it always gave Cat time to run through inventory.

“Yea slow day at the office. Decided to come help. I miss working here sometimes. I am almost tempted to work an install one of these days.” I started chatting.

“Right… I’ll believe it when I see it. But I am guessing that you’re here for another reason.” She said while observing me closely.

“Can’t hide anything from you.” I say bashfully.

“Ok spill…” She says as I grab her hand and take her to the couch in the lounge area.

I hesitate for a moment contemplating how I should tell her. But ultimately, I decided to rip the band aid off. “I meet someone…” before I can say anything else Cat starts talking a mile a minute. I grab her hand and just give her a look. She stopped and took a deep breath.

“Ok I’m calm. Now tell me everything from the beginning.” She asks. I start from the beginning at the masquerade party up until yesterday. I could see her emotions pass from wonder to excitement as if watching her favorite show.

“Does Conner and Ian know yet?” she finally asks

“They know of him and our mutual interest, but the official relationship status… well you’re the first I have told.” I say to her bashfully as if I need her approval of my decision. She starts clapping all giddy.

“I am so happy for you Rach. He sounds like a dream. I just hope I can meet him ASAP and see him for myself.”

“Thanks girl, I really needed to hear that. Would you mind helping me break the news to the others? And my Kids? I don’t know how to tell them.” I say worried.

“Rach of course. But I really think that if your kids and Zanders son is as close as you say they are then I think that you should break the news together.”

“That’s smart. I’ll call Zander when I get a chance. I just hope my kids take the news well. They are already going through so much with the big move. I hope they don’t hate me.” I look down at my lap saying the last part.

“Rach, they are great kids. You did good with them. If they were mature enough to except that big change then they are certainly mature enough to accept this one. I know that they want you to be happy too. And they would be thrilled to accept Garrison as a brother.” Cat said with so much assurance.

“Thanks Cat, what would I do without you?” I smile at her and lean over to give her a big hug.

“Sweetie I’m always here for you. Now let us stop dilly dallying and get to work.” I just smile at her and nod.

After working with Cat, I decide to grab some coffee before it was time to pick the kids up from school. I pull out my cell and decide to call Zander. I know I saw him yesterday, but I missed him already.

“Hey darling?” He said with a sexy voice.

“Hey, hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time?”

“Not at all, I was hoping that I would hear from you. So what have you been up to?”

“I went to the flower shop today and helped my friend out. I also told her about us. Now she can’t wait to meet you.”

“Really, well I would be delighted to meet all you friends.”

“Well we can arrange that. But before we do I think we should tell the kids about us first.”

“Agreed…Do you want to do it together… take them out somewhere fun?”

“Definitely! Thursday evening ok? We could take them mini golfing!”

“Sounds like a fantastic plan!” He said with so much hope and excitement. I was so happy that we were on the same page.

“So how’s work?” I ask.

“It’s work. Meetings, paperwork, and phone calls. We are busy with this new tech that was designed at one of our facilities and we are putting in a bid for a government contract. Not to mention we are building two more resorts.”

“Wow that is a lot. Well do not stress out too much. Its not like I’m there to take care of you.” I say with a hint of seduction in my tone.

“Rach I would give anything to have you with me right now.”

“I know, just be patient. You’ll have me soon. I’ll call you later. I love you.”

“Love you too” We finally end the call in time to pick up my kids.

Friday comes and Zander and I decided to meet each other at the mini golf place. My kids think that we are having a playdate with Garrison and Zander. Its not the whole truth but we wanted to butter them up first and then break the news. We get there and we head over to the main entrance where Zander and Garrison are stand waiting. Matt and Garrison immediately greet each other with a fist bump.

“Well it is good to see all of you again. Shall we?” Zander said with a grin on his face as he opens the door.

We played two rounds of golf with the kids and every second of it was pure bliss. We all taunted each other, laughed, gloated, and just had fun. We took the kids inside to the food station and got them snacks. Jackie got a cotton candy, the boys got ice cream, and Bella got some popcorn. I was going to pay for it, but Zander insisted he pay. We all head over with our snack to an open table. Once situated, the kids sitting close together leaving me and Zander to sit next to each other. I glance over at him and give him a look. As if knowing what I was thinking about he clears his throat to grab the kids attention.

“Kids did you all have fun?” He asked.

“Yea”, “Yes”, “Mmhmm.” They all nodded in agreement. We look nervously to each other. Zander grabs my hand under the table out of sight from the kids and gives it a little squeeze. I take a deep breath.

“Kids we have something to tell you…” I began to say. All the kids where looking at us confused.

“Your mother and I decided to…” Zander started to say before I cut him off.

“We are in a relationship.” I say as if I am ripping the band aid off once again. Zander and I squeeze each other’s hand a little harder anticipating their reaction. We look upon their blank faces. They begin to look to each other exchanging glances.

“How long has this been going on?” Jackie askes.

“About a week.” I say

“Ok.” She simple says before my kids give each other one last glance.

“Well I think its cool, dad I liked her from the beginning.” Garrison stated outright. My kids nod in agreement.

“Yea we are happy about it to. Zander your cool, and Garrison I guess your one of us now!” Jackie said while my other two nod their heads. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. Cat was right! My kids where mature beyond their years to act in such a way. Zander and I look at each other.

“That was a relief!” I say to him

“Well I am definitely the happiest man alive right now.” Zander says kissing my forehead and wrapping his arm around my shoulder bring me closer to him. I just blush. We hear our kids turn away in disgust from our gesture of affection.

“You know what this means!” Matt said all on a sudden. “Garrison you are now officially coming to our family movie nights every Friday.” All the kids got excited and started planning outings with Garrison. It was as if they wanted him to feel like part of the family already.

“Now isn’t that a sight. I’m glade that they are excited about this. Now we can spend more time with each other.” Zander whisper into my ear as we watch the kids planning out our future adventures. I just smile and nod relishing in the moment. I know that if my kids are happy than my friends would all be happy for our relationship too. I just might introduce Zander to them sooner than later.

We finally call it a night and walk out into the parking lot. Before we part ways we all give our goodbyes.

“Zander are you busy this Saturday night?” I ask him.

“No…”

“Would you like to come with me and meet my friends, we get together at this bar we frequent.” I ask hoping that I don’t sound to desperate.

“I’d love to, text me the details and I’ll pick you up.” He said with a big grin on his face. He leans in and gives me a kiss on the check. “Goodnight love, drive safe.”

“Goodnight.” I blush and, in a whisper, I say: “I love you”

“I love you too” he whispers back. Then we get into our separate cars and head to our homes.

Saturday came all to quick. We were not able to do family movie night because we officially moved to our new home and needed to unpack. I even updated Zander on our new address. My kids and I spent most of the day unpacking. When it got closer to my date with my friends the kids and I decided to call it a day. I ordered them pizza and let them lounge around while the babysitter was here. Finally, Zander came to pick me up and head over to the bar. When we entered I immediately spot my friends.

“Finally you’re here!” Ian exasperated

“Don’t get your panties in a twist Ian” I say as they all glance at me and then to Zander. I look up at Zander.

“Everyone this is Zander… Zander this is Cat and Conner, and you already know Ian.” I begin to introduce. Cat gives me a huge grin and nods at me as if she completely approves. Conner on the other hand looks like he is shooting daggers through his eyes at Zander.

“Nice to see you again man! So… is this official?” Ian asked pointing a figure at the two of us. I just nod and start to blush. Zander then puts his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. Cat squeals in excitement.

“Did you know babe?” Conner asks Cat.

“Yes of course, she is my best friend and I talk to her more than you think. Just because you guys work together all the time doesn’t mean she talks to me any less.” Cat said and playfully slapped Conner on his shoulder. We all chuckle at their bickering.

“Well these are my three best friends Zander.” I say motioning to them.

“And we will kill you if you hurt her in any way.” Conner spilled. I guess he just could not help himself in adopting the overprotective brother role.

“Yea Cat would stab you; Conner would transport your body and I will burry you.” Ian said confidently as if they had rehearsed this before. I just shake my head at them. They were the best.

“Well I don’t every plan on hurting her. And I will make sure that I never make you angry Cat.” Zander said.

“That’s right! Heaven forbid that you catch me on a bad day at the torture chamber… I mean flower shop.” We bust out laughing. Finally, when we all got comfortable, we start drinking our beers and make wonderful conversation. I could tell that my friends really liked him. Watching them laugh and bicker was so awesome. They never acted like that when I brought Nate to our get togethers. I guess they were just looking out for me and know what is best. I am blessed to have such amazing, loving, loyal friends in my life. We finally called it a night after a few hours. Zander drives me back home. He walks me to my door where we shared a passionate kiss. We break apart and look at each other.

“I love you Rach. I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you too Zander. Drive safe ok?”

“Always my love.” And he turned and left. I walk into my house ready to go straight to bed. I knew the sooner I feel asleep the sooner it would be Sunday and our sons had a baseball game in the early afternoon. I just could not wait to see him again.