Page 79 of Ice Me Baby

I can’t do anything but nod. I like that I mean something to them. We are something to each other, but I’m not sure I should tell my parents that. “Do you mind if we keep it on the downlow with my parents for right now?”

Dean waves a dismissive hand into the air. “It’s fine. I mainly want to rub this in my parents’ face.”

Mac weaves his fingers with mine before giving my hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry. We won’t embarrass you in front of your family.”

I shake my head. “I’m not afraid of you embarrassing me. I’m just not ready to explain this”—I gesture between the three of us—“to my parents just yet.”

“Do you think they won’t except us?” he asks curiously.

I think on that for a moment. I think my mom would be okay with it, honestly. It’s my dad I'd have to worry about. “To be honest, I think the only person who may freak out is my dad. But considering you guys play hockey, he may be okay with it.” I smirk.

Dean jumps off the couch. “Let’s get going!” he yells and runs off toward his bedroom.

I look at Mac with a smile. “He does realize we don’t have to be there until tomorrow, right?”

He grins back. “I don’t think he cares.”

I yell over the back of the couch, “Dean, we don’t have to be there until tomorrow!”

“These are your parents, Lizzy! We need to make a great impression. Let’s go tonight and see if they need help with anything.”.

“I don’t think you are going to win this one, Chérie,” Mac says with a huff of laughter.

Pushing myself off the couch, I look down at my pajamas, then back up to Mac. “I suppose I should get dressed, then.”

Mac leans down to kiss my cheek. “I’ll make myself presentable as well.”

“You look fine,” I say, then close my bedroom door behind me. Once in the walk-in closet, I pick out a baby-blue sweater dress and a pair of black leggings. I can finally wear the new pair of boots I got for the winter weather. It was a shock to my wardrobe having to change from sunscreen, sandals, and shorts to sweaters, boots, and beanie hats.

I quickly change before leaving to find the others in the living room waiting for me. I bite my lip as I look over my two boys. Dean has on a pair of dark-washed jeans with a black shirt and leather jacket. Mac contrasts his dark look with a pair of light-blue jeans and a crisp white shirt.

Mac winks when my eyes meet his. “Do I pass inspection?”

My cheeks heat as I roll my eyes. “I always think you look good.”

Mac gestures toward the door. “I suppose we should be off.”

Fifteen minutes later, we pull up to my childhood home. I let out a sigh as I take in the old house with a smile. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.”

Mac takes in the house. “Is this the house you grew up in?”

I nod as I unbuckle and open the passenger door. “Till the day I left for college.”

Dean hums as we make our way up the drive to the front door. “It’s cute.”

I snort a laugh and knock. “Cute? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you describe anything as cute.”

“I think you’re cute.”

My eyes widen as the door opens, and my mother greets me with a look of shock. My cheeks are burning as I give her a shy smile. “Hey, Mama”—I point to the guys—“these are the hockeyplayers I invited for dinner tomorrow. They wanted to introduce themselves.”

As if summoned by the word hockey, my dad appears in the doorway. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise, little bit.”

I groan at the old nickname. “Dad...”

His gruff face softens before shifting to the guys. “Who’s with you, Iz?”

Pointing to Dean first, I awkwardly begin introductions from the front porch, since they haven’t invited us in yet. “This is Dean Lewis one of the players I’m in charge of and”—I switch to Mac— “this is Mac Oliver.”

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