Page 35 of Light It Up Red
“You can park over there.” I point to the side of the driveway, and Travis pulls us into the open spot.
“You look more nervous here than you were meeting my parents.”
“I just don’t want you to leave me,” I admit.
He turns in the driver’s seat to look at me, reaching out a hand to tip my chin up and force me to look at him too. “Lili, I promise I’m not leaving you.”
“Okay…” I sigh. “When we go in, they’re going to want to search you. It’s protocol. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Come on, show me this palace you grew up in. I can’t wait to see pictures of you as a kid. I bet you never even had an awkward teenage phase.” Travis laughs.
I take his hand and lead him through the front door. We make it two steps inside before three men stop us. “Miss Valentino.” They nod at me.
“This is my friend, Travis,” I say, waving a hand between them. “Travis, this is John, Michael, and Chris.”
“Good game last night,” Chris says, a slight smile spreading his lips before his professionalism snaps back in place. “We need to search you, Mr. O’Neil. Please hold out your arms.”
Travis does as he’s instructed while Chris pats him down.
“Okay, that’s enough. He’s a hockey player, not an assassin,” I grind out, tug on Travis’s hand, and lead him through the massive foyer. I can’t help but wonder what it’s like to see this place from his point of view. I grew up like this and have never known anything different.
I stop short when we approach one of the living rooms and curse under my breath. I knew I shouldn’t have told my mother we were coming.
“Mom?” I question as my eyes scan the room full of people. Not just people, family. All of my aunts are here. Nonna too. “What’s going on?”
“Oh my god! No wonder you’ve been keeping him hidden away,” My Zia Savvy says before letting out a low whistle. “Damn, Lil, you did good.”
“Kill me now,” I grumble as I cover my face with my hands.
“Sorry, Lil, I swear I only told her,” Mom says while hitching a thumb towards my aunt. “She was already here.”
“Travis, this is my mom, Maddie. Mom, Travis.” I do my best to force down my embarrassment as I make introductions.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Valentino,” Travis says.
“You can call me Maddie,” Mom corrects while tugging Travis into her arms. My mom’s a big hugger.
“This is my nonna, Holly,” I explain and then move on to my aunts.
“You’re staying for dinner, right, Travis? I’ve already told the kitchen staff to prepare a feast,” Mom says more than asks.
“We can’t stay, Mom. Travis has… things to do.” I try to come up with a quick excuse and fall short.
“We can stay, babe,” Travis interjects. “Thank you, Mrs. Valentino. I’d love to stay for dinner.”
“Great.” My mother beams at him.
“What the fuck is going on in here?”
The sound of my father’s voice booming from the doorway has everyone turning in his direction. And I immediately jump in front of Travis. I don’t think my dad will shoot him, not in a room full of women, but I also wouldn’t put it past him to forget he has an audience.
“Theo, language,” Nonna scolds.
“Sorry, Ma,” Dad replies before turning to my mother. “Maddie, you didn’t tell me we were having a party?”
“I didn’t know I needed your permission,” Mom fires back.
“What are we celebrating?” This comes from my Zio Romeo, who walks up behind my father.
