We are all gathering for the 4th of July at Kyle's house. He has been doing very well. He is slowly but surely getting better. I guess he really doesn't want to have to see a shrink. I don't blame him. I am a little nervous because this will be the first time that I will be seeing Catherine's family since the wedding. I head into the backyard with Craig walking beside.

"Dude she is wearing a sundress. Who wears a sundress to a BBQ?" I laugh at Craig.

"It's Catherine so I am not surprised," I am wearing a tee shirt and shorts. Can't go wrong with that on the 4th. I look around the backyard that has more people than I assumed. I see Kyle talking to what I would like to assume is his extended family. I spot Catherine's best friend I had to walk down the aisle with. Long as she stays in her corner all is good. "Where are the drinks?"

"Now you're talking," said Craig. "They are inside though." I head into the kitchen and there are a few people inside. I can hear even more chatter coming from the living room. I see they have a bartender. I laugh in my mind knowing yet again this is Catherine's doing. I have the chef fix me a mixed drink. I am not going to get trashed but I sure enough want to feel nice. I head back outside grabbing a chair next to Ike.

"You're sitting in Craig's seat," he said. I move to the next opened seat.

"How has everything been so far?" I asked.

"My mother hasn't gotten into it with Catherine so today has been great so far. I am mostly glad that from his backyard we can actually see the fireworks."

"That is awesome. I am not much for crowds." Ike nods as Craig draws near with two plates. He sits down in his seat.

"Stan, you don't want anything to eat? They got some good food going on over there."

"Not yet," I replied. "I am just got to nurse my drinks in the time being."

"How is work going?" asked Craig before taking a bit of his burger. "You haven't mentioned in a while."

"It's going good. I am still writing my poems for sale. So far my book series seems to be sailing better than my novels. I am just glad people are enjoying the stories."

"You still under that alias name?"

"Yes I am. I like that much better than people knowing it is me. Speaking of which thank you for telling Kyle my alias name." I was being sarcastic. I am just glad Kyle took everything in good faith.

"Things worked out didn't they," smirked Craig. "Besides I think he really needed some insight to as what you were going through." No point in arguing with Craig. Once he thinks he is right no one change his mind.

"Do you guys know who is who yet?" I asked changing the subject. "I can't really tell them apart. No offense." Craig chews some more.

"Well I do know that she has more friends than family here today. Her parents are inside sitting in front of the TV. They are not fans of the heat. I wonder if she was in sorority or something. She has a lot of female friends. Most of them are married as well or at least engaged."

"Wow," I replied not expecting Craig to tell me that much.

"Oh and Kyle's investment banker is here," Kyle has so many people extended in his life due to him being in the NBA I can't keep up with all these people.

"Are they close or something?" I asked surprised. I am not jealous if that is what you are thinking.

"I don't know," replied Ike. "I am not for mixing business with friendship. Believe me I have had many try after I sold them their dream home." I can only imagine. Ike is very handsome if I must say so myself and he is down to earth despite the income he brings in. We chatted a while longer before I decided to go inside to get another round of drinks. It's the first time Kyle actually speaks to me.

"Hey!"

"Hey, you had a huge turnout."

"Somewhat," Kyle laughed. "I need to talk to you." He grabs my hand leading me down the hall. We are outside of his gym. "So you know I have been looking for my next thing to do right."

"Yeah of course," Kyle smiles letting me know this is good news.

"I just got hired to be head coach at the university here!" Kyle covers his mouth because he is so excited. I hug him because I am so happy.

"Omg dude that is great! Have you told anyone else yet?"

"No, you are the first. I have my lawyer looking over the contact. You know I will not be making as much as I did before but I am happy. It's only an hour away from here. I get to stay in South Park. No more Cali." I don't see Catherine responding to this to well. If Kyle is making less they are going to need to make a lot of changes finically.

"I told you that you are awesome and you would find something," Kyle nods before hugging me again. He gives me a quick kiss on the lips before we walked away back to the kitchen.

"What are you drinking?" he asked.

"Hurricane," I laughed.

"Are you trying to get trashed?"

"No,"

"Yet you haven't had any food. Let me fix you a plate. Come on." I tell the bartender to fix me another hurricane quickly. He does and I follow Kyle outside. He is already over by the grill loading up my plate. I am not that hungry at the moment. I wonder what the hell is he putting on there.

"Dude, that's too much food," Kyle put some grilled chicken, ribs, asparagus, small corn on the cob, and a burger.

"Stop being a baby," he said walking towards Ike and Craig still at the table. It is now starting to get dark outside. He sits down pushing my plate towards me. "Whatever you can't eat I will finish for you."

"You have been busy," stated Ike.

"Of course, I am the host. I have to make sure everything is going well. This is the happiest I have seen Catherine in a while." Catherine is laughing with her friends. I see her walking over towards Kyle.

"Hey guys! Are you enjoying yourselves?" she asked.

"Yup," said Craig holding up his cup.

"Excellent. Kyle honey, Can you go around and light the tikka torches." Cat turns her attention towards us. "We have plenty of food so you guys are more than welcome to take home some plates." Kyle finishes off the chicken he was nibbling on and went off to complete his new task.

"I swear he is trying to fatten me up," I said looking down at the plate. "Look at this!"

"At least he put some veggies on there," laughed Ike.

"I don't even like corn on the cob. I hate when it gets stuck in my teeth." I at least ate my burger and asparagus, a little bit of chicken. I sat there waiting for Kyle to come back to the table to finish the rest. I finish my drink not even feeling the buzz anymore thanks to the fact I had eaten. I get up and make my way back to the kitchen for another round. I decided I would get one more after this. Once the fireworks were done I would head home.

I sit outside when it is time for the fireworks to start at 9pm. I look around wondering where is Kyle. I spot him with his wife. Deep down I am sad but same time that is where he needs to be. The fireworks have just concluded and some people are clapping. For a small town we tend to go overboard on the 4th with fireworks. I start towards my car more than ready to go. I am stopped by Kyle before I can even get in.

"Your leaving without saying good bye?" he asked towering over me.

"No I mean you were busy with your wife. I didn't want to mess up your moment."

"You would never do that," replied Kyle. "I am going to come by to see you later tonight. Probably won't be until real late."

"That's fine, you have your key," I replied opening my car door. I made him his own key shortly after his freak out the last time. It seems to calm him down being in my space or seeing me. I climb in and watch Kyle wave to me. I catch a glimpse of some nosey person looking out the window. Makes me glad Kyle didn't do anything stupid.