Page 16 of Bringing Home the Biker

“This does not sound good,” Star muttered, and her brow furrowed.

I snagged a mini taco off Star’s plate and popped it into my mouth. She shot me a look, but she didn’t say anything.

“But you’ll be here in the morning for presents, right?” Carmen asked into the phone. After a pause, she sighed heavily. “Okay, we’ll see you in the morning.” She ended the call and looked visibly deflated. “Rickie and Davis won’t be here until the morning. Davis played a round of golf this morning and pulled a muscle in his back on the last hole.”

Jim winced and reached for another deviled egg. “Ouch.”

Carmen waved her hands as if shooing away her frustration. “He’s going to ice it overnight, and they should be here for presents. Still, this does throw a bit of a wrench in my plans for the rest of the night, but we’ll just roll with it.”

Star tilted her head, curious. “What plans did you have for the night?”

Rain gestured toward the spread of food on the table. “I thought this was the plan.”

Carmen gave a mischievous grin—one that made me nervous. “First up, name that Christmas tune, then the cotton ball spatula game, and finally, the gingerbread-building contest.”

Rain’s expression matched mine—equal parts amused and wary. “Did she just say spatula?”

Star, clearly used to this by now, popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. “Did you hit the Tipsy Punch before we got here?”

“You guys have played these games before?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.

“Not exactly,” Star said with a smirk. “Mom makes up new games every year. I guess we’ve hit the ‘random kitchen items’ phase of her creativity.”

Rain bumped Star’s shoulder and laughed. “At least we’re still doing the gingerbread contest. Ben and I are going to kick your butts.”

“Wait,” Woods called out, his voice full of alarm. “Is Aunt Star still going to be my partner?”

Rain smiled gently at him. “Baby, Auntie Star has Axel to be her partner this year.”

Woods frowned, and his lip trembled like the kid was on the verge of tears.

“But,” I jumped in and leaned forward to catch his attention, “I think we’re going to need your help, Woods. I’ve never done any of this before. This is my first family Christmas, so I need you to show me the ropes.”

Woods stared at me, wide-eyed. “You’ve never had a family Christmas before?” His tone was heavy with sympathy, and the room went quiet.

“Not like this,” I said, trying to keep it light. “Who has mini tacos, chocolate-covered potato chips, and games on Christmas Eve?”

Woods sipped his neon green Grinch drink thoughtfully before nodding solemnly. “You’re probably right. I mean, you’ve got big muscles, but I think Aunt Star needs more than that.”

“Burn,” Ben laughed and choked on his eggnog.

“Woods,” Rain scolded, though she was laughing too.

I held up my hands in surrender and grinned. “You’re absolutely right, Woods. Your aunt and I both need you if we’re going to win.”

Woods pointed at me, his expression serious. “I’m in.”

“Okay!” Carmen clapped her hands, and the energy in the room shifted back to excitement. “You guys keep eating, and I’ll get the music going. We can play while we eat.”

Star leaned into me, and her shoulder brushed mine as she smiled. “Thank you.”

“For what, honey?” I asked, my voice low. “I’m just being me.”

“Then I guess thank you for being you,” she said softly.

I pressed a quick kiss to her lips and savored the way her cheeks turned pink. “You’re welcome. Though I do have one question.”

Her smile widened, and her eyes lit up with amusement. “Hit me with it.”

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