I clap my hands, and Josh snaps another one. I fire at the target, but I’m off half an inch.

“I’m just saying, Fitzy. Probably not the best tone to set with your in-laws to have Elvis officiate your wedding. I’m sure they’re already planning for it to be someone special. You know, like the King of England.”

Grabbing another ball, I set myself up and then bring my arm down. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“He’s on Lo’s list.” Josh shrugs. “Of the important people that will probably be there.”

“Is this what I’m in for when I’m married?” I joke. “What, do the two of you just sit around at night and talk about this kind of stuff?”

Josh lifts a thick arm and scratches his thick, brown beard. “Sometimes we watch documentaries. Did you know Herbert Hoover managed Stanford’s football team as a student? One time he forgot a game ball. Man”—he chuckles—"Foller would’ve had him by the nuts. I love the History Channel though. Where else would you learn that? You should ask your father-in-law to be if he knew that about one of his predecessors.”

I stare blankly but maybe I can’t really talk. Over the past few weeks, Parker and I have averaged a 2000-piece puzzle every two nights. Lame? Totally, yes.

Is it also my favorite time of day? Also, totally yes. Now, I’m no shrink. I really know nothing about OCD or whatever Coach was talking about. But what I do know is Parker seems more rested, a little more at ease, and I’ve been hearing the door checked only once a night, sometimes twice. Even though that comes after I make sure to lock up in front of Parker, I’ll take it. Forward progress gets the win. And, of course, the puzzles give us a little quiet, quality time which I treasure.

But we’re a step up from Josh and Lo. Because Parker and me, we puzzle and plot.

“This stays between you and me,” I tell him. “We’ll go to Vegas a few days after the engagement party.”

Josh’s jaw drops. “You can’t be serious.”

I take another ball from him he’s about to drop. “Dead serious.”

“I won’t be complicit in something that will get me on a government watch list, Fitzy. I take enough hits for you during the season.”

“You’d be my best man,” I offer.

There’s a twitch in Josh’s eye. “Not good enough.”

“Best man isn’t good enough?” My eyes widen. “Do you want to be the groom?”

Josh raises his chin. “I want to officiate.”

“Officiate?”

“Yeah.” Josh folds his arms over his chest. “I’ll get one of those certificates online.”

“Josh, we’re going to Vegas,” I say. “That’s what Elvis is for.”