The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

A Year and a Half Later

Holden buttered a bagel. “Seriously? This caviar probably cost more than my Tama drum set. Who the hell knew dentists made so much money?”

“Who knew caviar was on the menu for breakfast?” Colby spread some of the black stuff on a piece of toast.

“Well, apparently, not only does Justin come from a family of dentists and orthodontists, but his father owns this chain of dental practices,” I said.

Owen nodded. “So, yeah, they can afford the caviar.”

Colby, Holden, Owen, and I sat poolside, enjoying the brunch laid out before us. My crew and I had invaded the Hamptons’s home of James Cartwright, father of Justin Cartwright, Caitlin’s now-husband. Caitlin and Justin had gotten married about six months after they met and were now expecting their first baby, a girl due in three months.

We were all in Bridgehampton for their baby shower, which was a full-weekend event. Since Caitlin didn’t have a ton of family on her side, Justin’s dad had asked her to invite lots of friends. There was a guest house on the property with four bedrooms, which was big enough to house our entire crew. Justin’s mother and sisters would be hosting the baby shower later today under a massive tent in the backyard, and we’d all be there.

Looking over at the white tent across the lawn, it reminded me of my wedding to Alex last summer. We’d chosen a venue back in Connecticut near the water—definitely the best night of my life, even if Owen threw one too many age-gap jokes at me in his speech. I’d wanted to punch him and hug him all at once that day.

This weekend here in the Hamptons was nothing short of a miracle, because for the first time in a long time, it was grown-ups only. Lala’s, Colby’s, and Owen’s parents were all back in the City, staying at the building and looking after the little ones so us adults could have some fun. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d all hung out together with none of the kids around. Alex and I would’ve given anything to have to find someone to watch our kid, but alas, a baby hadn’t been in the cards thus far. Still, Alex was thrilled for Caitlin, and so excited about her baby. We’d joked a lot about the fact that I was going to be a stepgrandfather. That just added to the craziness of our history.

But even with the joy of knowing Caitlin would bring a new life into this world, some underlying sadness had been eating at me, particularly this weekend. And while I wanted to comfort Alex, surrounded by all the baby stuff today, I hesitated to bring up the subject at all. She wouldn’t want to take away from the happiness of this occasion. She wouldn’t want to admit that Caitlin’s pregnancy was a reminder that we hadn’t conceived despite trying for two years, with medical intervention added for the past six months. I chose to continue believing it would happen, but with every month it didn’t, believing got a bit harder. I’d read that Halle Berry had a baby at forty-seven, and I hung on to that fact tightly. While I could accept a world where Alex and I didn’t have a biological child, I couldn’t accept my wife blaming herself. I wanted her to be happy.

“Hey, Foster!” Colby interrupted my thoughts. “Come hang with us in the pool.”

While I’d been sitting on this chaise lounge, the guys had migrated into the water. Colby was on a float, while Holden and Owen tossed a foam football back and forth.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and hopped in the pool to join them. It was just us guys for now. Billie, Lala, and Devyn had gone to a blow-dry bar to get their hair done for the baby shower later.

“Did they say what time they were getting back?” Colby asked.

“No,” Holden answered. “But my wife is getting her crazy-ass curls blown out, so it might take all day. I told her she’d better leave a massive tip.”

I chuckled. Lala did have a wild mane of hair.

Alex was spending the morning helping Justin’s mother get ready for the shower. Even though Justin’s parents were divorced, they apparently got along for the sake of the kids, and his dad was here for the co-ed event as well. I was certain there would be endless beverages, which was reason enough for my friends to make the trip. We were never ones to turn down free food and drinks.

Colby floated past me. “Look at us, all oldish and married and living it up in the Hamptons. Who woulda thunk it?”

Holden swam over. “You think these rich bastards would mind if I pissed in their pool?”

Owen chimed in, “If I know you, you already did.”

“Damn.” Holden splashed him. “Busted.”

I looked up at the main house to find my beautiful wife looking down and waving at me from the window. The sun caught her blond hair, and she wore all white. She looked like an angel. It reminded me of seeing her walk down the aisle in her wedding dress. Wells had given her away, of course.

Alex disappeared from the window almost as fast as she’d appeared. Damn. I hadn’t seen her all morning, and that little glimpse made me realize how much I’d missed her. But I knew she was busy with the shower stuff.

About a half-hour later, the ladies returned from their blow-dry date. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing, because while Devyn and Billie were both rocking totally smooth hair, poor Lala’s hair was one big frizzball.

Lala sighed. “Apparently, I hadn’t accounted for the humidity today.”

“I swear it looked halfway normal when we left.” Devyn laughed.

“Don’t worry,” Billie said. “I’ll fix it, Lala. We’ll give you an updo.”

Holden swam over and climbed out of the pool. “Hold up. Who electrocuted my wife?”

***

Are baby showers always this freaking boring?

I’d promised Alex I’d watch as Caitlin opened all of her gifts, but it seemed never-ending.

How many freaking onesies does a baby need? And I swore she’d gotten enough diapers to last until the baby was three. But like the proud granddad I was, I sat patiently, counting the minutes until I could have Alex all to myself. We’d planned to take an evening walk on the beach, just the two of us.

My wife sat next to Caitlin with a notepad, writing down every single gift and who it was from. I was so damn proud of her for enduring this with a smile on her face. Alex looked up at me at one point, and I blew her a kiss. She winked, and all felt right in the world.

But I’d nearly zoned out again when I heard someone call my name.

I looked up. “Huh?”

Caitlin held up a wrapped gift. “This one is for you, Brayden.”

I pointed to my chest. “For me?”

I stood and approached. Caitlin looked giddy as she handed me the present.

As I unwrapped the pastel paper, I started to laugh, ready for something with a funny joke about becoming a grandpa. We’d laughed about that constantly lately.

Inside the box was a mini Philadelphia Eagles cap, for a baby—a sweet ode to Ryan I was sure Alex was behind. She knew all about Ryan loving the Eagles.

“There’s a card inside,” she said.

I pulled it out. “You didn’t have to do that, Caitlin. Thank you.” Then I read the note. And I read it again. I had to read it at least five times to understand. My hands shook as I looked up at Alex. Her eyes were glistening as she nodded.

I looked over at the guys and noticed Holden crying, too.

What the hell?

They knew. All the wives were also wiping their eyes. No one had read the note, yet they all freaking knew.

This baby shower might have been planned, but this was the surprise of a lifetime. Officially the happiest moment of my life. I couldn’t get to Alex fast enough, lifting her up and spinning her around—spinning them around.

I looked down at the note again, making sure the words were still there and this wasn’t a dream.

My unborn niece might call you Gramps. But I’m the lucky little miracle who’ll get to call you Daddy.

Love, The One You Always Believed In