“Come on, let’s get a drink,” I say to Hazel. We walk over to one of the tables and I pour both of us a beer. She sips hers and smiles.
“I love this stuff,” she says.
“You’re a beer drinker?”
“Of course. Hard not to be here.”
I grin at her. “I knew I made a good choice.”
She smiles back at me and I steer her back over to the Kubb game. We chat idly with Jessie about her life as the guys finish their game. Every time a team misses a toss, they have to sip their drink, and that’s why Scotty and Andrew are plastered. They stink at Kubb.
Meanwhile, Jessie talks about getting married and having children. She shows us pictures of her two kids, both of them adorable and blonde, just like their mother. I feel a little strange, hearing about how she has a family. I still feel like we’re just little kids, running around and playing Hide and Seek.
“Scotty has a kid now too, you know,” Jessie says.
“Really?” I ask her.
“Born just a month ago. Cute little bugger.”
“Boy or girl?”
“Girl,” she says. “And he’s smitten.”
“Of course,” I answer. “Scotty is a big softie.”
She laughs and tells me more about the other nobles and their families. As I listen, I realize two things.
First, I’m so far behind these people. I have no children, no family, no big job. Yes, I’m the prince, but I may not even get the crown. I realize that Hazel is the first good decision I’ve ever made.
Second, and probably more importantly, I haven’t kept up with everyone. That’s pretty shitty of me. I’ve been too busy living my own life outside of the court that I forgot how many people I really like are still back here in the castle, living the lives of nobles.
Eventually the Kubb game ends, and Andrew and Scotty are the losers. Hazel and I step up to play next, and while it’s really fun, I feel like I’m not entirely into it. Jessie stays nearby, telling Hazel stories from when we were kids, and although I should be embarrassed, I don’t mind. I want Hazel to learn about me. I want her to know everything there is to know, which isn’t something I’ve ever felt before.
“Let me steal this girl away for a second,” Jessie says suddenly, handing me the Kubb sticks. “I think you can handle yourself.”
I glance at Hazel and she just shrugs. “Be nice to her,” I say.
“Always am.” Jessie winks and steers Hazel over toward the drinks table.
I sigh and turn back toward the game, although I keep an eye on Jessie and Hazel. I don’t know what Jessie is telling her, and honestly I’m a little worried. Jessie knows some stories about me from when I was younger, stories I don’t necessarily want to relive. I’m not exactly ashamed of anything, but it’s typical teenager shit. Believe it or not, I wasn’t always the sophisticated prince that I am today.
The game continues, and I realize that I’m losing pretty badly. I don’t really care though, since my attention is basically entirely on Hazel. She laughs at something Jessie says and glances in my direction, blushing slightly. I want to storm over there and demand they tell me what they’re talking about, but that’s freaking crazy.
The game mercifully ends and I head over to the girls. They look up as I approach.
“How’s it going over here?” I ask.
“Just giving Hazel here your life story, since you’ve neglected to do so,” Jessie says.
I sigh. “You know how it is, Jess.”
“Uh huh, right.” She winks at me. “The court is all astir over this marriage, you know.”
“I bet they are.”
“It’s very shocking. Prince Player, tied down to one woman.”
I sigh and shrug. “Maybe I’m changing.”
She smiles and glances at Hazel. “Yeah, well, we’ll see.” She waves and heads over to join another group.
“What was that all about?” I ask Hazel.
She smiles a little and shrugs. “Nothing special. Just told me some stories.”
“Nothing bad, I hope.”
“No.” She hesitates. “Just one story in particular.”
I raise an eyebrow and for a second, I feel nervous about what Jessie said. It’s crazy that I care what Hazel thinks of me at this point. Really, she’s my wife, and that part of this is finished. I don’t need her to love me or even to like me, and yet I find myself wanting exactly that. I want her to want me, and I’m suddenly worrying about my past.
“Come on,” I say to her suddenly. “Let’s get some air.”
I take her hand and pull her along behind me. She quickly catches up and we duck out the front door. I find a little side staircase and we climb up until eventually we step out onto the roof of the castle.