Page 78 of Ice Me Baby

Mama

Please tell me you can still come!

I can move some things around if you are going to be late.

I smile down at the screen. This will be the first holiday I will be home since I moved. I couldn’t afford to go home for every holiday. Just from her text, I can already tell she is beginning to panic that I won’t make it home because of work.

Mama I’ll be home. I wanted ask if it’s okay to bring two friends with me?

A few minutes pass before the dots indicate she’s typing.

Mama

What type of friends?

Damn her and her intuition. I’ve never brought a friend home for the holidays, let alone two. How can I put this so she won’t ask more questions? Though, let’s be honest, the questions would happen anyway.

A few guys from the team. They don't have anywhere to go.

Mama

I know you are lying. but you know I won’t say no to extra guests.

Thank you, Mama!

I jump out of bed with a grin and make my way out the door. Now, I just have to convince the guys to come. Considering how Dean acted about going home, I doubt it will take much convincing.

The guys look my way the moment I walk into the room. I grin as I hold up my phone, waving it. “So... I may have a way to get you out of going home.”

Dean’s eyes widen, begging for any excuse. “No way!”

My cheeks heat when I say, “This is an open offer, and it’s only if you don’t want to go home. You don’t have to say yes.”

Mac’s grin widens as he asks, “What did you do, Chérie?”

Tapping the phone to my thigh, I shrug. “I may have asked my mama if you guys could come to Thanksgiving dinner, so you could avoid family drama.”

“And your mom said yes?” Dean asks excitedly.

I nod. “Yes.”

Dean hops up from the loveseat before jumping over the back of the couch. He lifts me into the air with a laugh. “Yes! I’m totally down!” He spins me around, then lets my feet touch the floor. Before I know what’s happening, he smashes his lips to mine and then jumps back over the couch to smash his lips to Mac’s cheek.

Mac laughs and shakes his head. “I’ve never seen you this excited about Thanksgiving before.”

Dean points at Mac. “I’ve never had an excuse to tell my parents I couldn’t go!” He pulls out his phone and his fingers fly across the screen as he types.

“What are you going to tell your parents?” I ask in curiosity.

“I’m telling them I can’t come because I have to impress my girlfriend's parents.” He replies distractedly.

“Girlfriend?” I squeak.

Mac snorts a laugh. “Did you think we considered you anything else?”

I shrug because I’m not sure how to reply to that. I plop down on the couch as I say, “I guess I don’t really know what we are.”

Mac leans over to press a kiss to my cheek. “You are our girlfriend. At least outside of work. Is that alright with you, Chérie?”

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