The Wild Ride

“Zack!” Peyton shouted as she walked through the door of their home. “You’ll never guess what just hap.....pened..” She trailed off, realizing the house was empty. She frowned in confusion and walked through the living room and into the kitchen, sitting her purse and keys down on the table behind the couch. Once she made it to the window above the sink, a grin formed on her face when she saw what was going on outside. Lincoln was in his swim trunks and a life vest, and was doing his best to spray Zack, Brian, and Johnny, who were all in the pool, with a huge water gun. Peyton walked over to the back door and stepped out onto the patio, gaining her husband’s attention. “Mama’s home!” Zack shouted, pointing to the brunette. “Mommy!” Linc yelled, running toward his mother and wrapping his little arms around her legs. “Hey baby! Were you good for daddy?” She asked, kissing her son’s cheek. “Yep. He napped with Brian and had a snack, then he wanted to swim so we came out.” Zack told her. “Looks like Uncle Johnny finally remembered where we live.” Peyton teased, looking over at the bassist. “Hell yes I did. It’s beer and barbecue night tonight, and it’s your turn to host!” He said excitedly. “Matt is even on his way.” “Well what about the girls?” She asked, while the three men just looked at eachother. “No one told Lacey and Michelle? Seriously?” “Well, no.” Johnny stuttered, “Michelle was with you. I figured you had told her.” Brian shrugged. “You two are the worst fucking husbands ever.” Peyton grumbled, pulling out her phone and sending a text to her girlfriends. “I bought some veggies to grill and salad shit, do I need to go pick up more meat?” She asked, looking at her green eyed husband. “Zack’s got some meat for you.” Johnny mumbled, while Brian burst into laughter. “Here we go.” Peyton said with an eye roll. “No babe. There should be plenty of meat.” Zack said, unable to contain his laughter. “Uh yeah, because it’s a sausage fest.” Brian stated, making himself and Johnny laugh harder. “I hate you guys.” She grumbled, turning around and heading into the house to change. “Wait! Where are you going? We’re just getting started!” Johnny called after her. “I’m going to change my clothes and wait on my friends.” Peyton explained. “But Pey, we’re your friends too.” Brian pouted. Peyton laughed loudly and kept walking into the house, shutting the door behind her. “Wait, does the mean we’re not her friends then?” Brian asked, looking at Zack, who just laughed and splashed water in his face. “You’re an idiot, Brian.”

A little while later, everyone was spread out in the Bakers’ backyard. The men were in and out of the pool, playing with Lincoln while the women were crowded together on the patio furniture, talking and drinking wine, except for Val, who had about four weeks left until her due date. “So Pey,” Michelle started, “What did Zack say about your little encounter today?” “Oh my god I forgot to tell him!” The blue eyed woman said loudly. “Babe! Come here! I have to tell you something.” Zack left his spot at the grill and walked over to the group of women, the rest of the men following behind him. “What’s going on? Sounds important.” “So I was walking around downtown with Val and Michelle today and guess who we ran into.” Zack stood a little straighter, not liking where this conversation was going. “What did she do to you?” He growled. “She apologized!” Val said with a laugh. “It was the most ridiculous apology I’ve ever heard. Then she invited us to her wedding.” “Wait? Her wedding? Someone is dumb enough to marry her?” Johnny asked incredulously. “Your friend ZV over there was almost ‘dumb enough’ to marry her.” Peyton pointed out with a laugh. “Anyway, I didn’t really say much to her, and Mich kept me from punching her and going to jail. So yeah. Pretty eventful.” “Peyton you be careful around her.” Matt warned. “Especially if you and Linc are in public alone and you see her.” “Yeah who knows, she might try to kidnap him.” Brian said, watching the little boy play in his sand box. “Yeah and I’d fucking kill her right then and there.” Peyton said angrily.

The group talked a little while longer, Zack manning the grill and putting in his two cents every so often,until dinner was ready. After eating, and with Lacey’s help, Peyton gave her son a bath and got him ready for bed, where he eventually passed out playing with Lacey’s hair while his mother read his favorite book to him. Once the two women walked back outside, they sat with the twins and talked for hours about any and everything they could think of, while the guys drank and goofed off in the pool. “If one of you idiots wakes my kid up I’m punching all of you!” Peyton warned loudly when the men decided to play a game of water basketball and stared hollering at one another. It was almost two in the morning when everyone decided to head home, and Peyton was exhausted. She stumbled up the stairs, heading straight for the shower. Before she ever got the chance to wash, Zack was in there with her and his mouth was on hers, his hands roaming her body. After their lengthy shower, they both climbed into bed and went right to sleep, wrapped in each others arms.

Notes