Page 81 of Penalty Shots

"You didn't have to…" she says against my chest.

I look down at her. "Of course we did."

"Some of the others wanted to come out too, but they had family obligations," Izzy says. "And we have to be back before Friday's game."

The door behind Rina opens.

"What's all this noise?" An older gentleman says.

"Dad, these are…" she hesitates.

"Mr. Lopez!" Izzy tosses her arms around the man. "I'm Izzy. This is my brother Keelan." Izzy grabs me by the hand and drags me to her side.

"I'm Rina's dad," he says to us, all smiles. "But you can call me Beto."

"Hello, sir," I say to the man who raised the beautiful woman we all took a red-eye to come see.

He gives me a look but shakes my hand.

What has Rina told him about me?

Izzy motions for Ryker, who is holding Stella in his arms, to come over next. Fergie and Libby both introduce themselves, too.

"Well, looks like we have plenty of mouths to eat the pig!" Beto says excitedly.

"The... pig?" Izzy’s mouth twists.

"Pa, Izzy is ve—"

"Very excited to try it!" Izzy interrupts her friend.

Rina furrows her brows. "Are you?"

"Yes! Yes," Izzy says, hooking her arm into Rina's. "I want to eat everything that my best friend enjoys eating during the holidays."

"Wonderful!" Beto says, then calls into the house. "Elena, get up. We need to make coffee."

"Pa! It's one in the morning."

"Rina, we have guests. It's a party!"

Ok, I like Beto. I am immediately a fan of Beto. Rina flashes me a look just as the thought goes through my mind.

"A party?" Rina's mom comes out in a robe, hair pinned up for the night.

"And this is my mom," Rina motions. "You've actually met."

Mom brings her hand to her mouth. "Keelan Landry! On my doorstep? Come in. Come in."

She brings me in for a hug the moment I step into the house.

I like both her parents. A lot. Then, she spots Ryker and the baby.

"A baby! Ah!" She approaches my sister and her husband and asks them if she can hold her. Izzy grabs Stella and plops her into Elena's enthusiastic arms.

Inside, Elena puts some espresso on the stove and heats up some milk. Rina helps her prepare the tiny cups and passes them out as soon as they're ready.

Beto cuts up a block of cheese and serves it on crackers.

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