Page 110 of Going All In

Chapter 22

“Is Jake backhome yet? I’m sad he won’t be able to make it tonight. I wanted to congratulate him in person for their win. Oh, it’s so exciting. When’s the next match start? I mean round. When’s the next round start? Maybe they’ll win that big cup thing. I hear that each player gets to have it for a day if they win. We should drink champagne out of it. That’s a thing, right? Obviously, we would sanitize it first. I think I read somewhere that someone peed in it. Why would they do that?”

“Holy crap, Mom. Maybe try breathing,” Lydia said as she passed the basket of rolls to Bianca while Darcy attempted to process everything that had come out of her mother’s mouth.

Good god, how was the woman not lightheaded from all that rambling? And where was her mother reading about players peeing in the Cup?

“These are important questions, Lydia,” their mother said with a huff.

Darcy caught the subtle glare her father shot in Lydia’s direction, while Lydia happily munched away on her salad.

“I’m sure it will be cleaned thoroughly, Mom. And yes, if the Strikers win, Jake would get it for a day, but I would imagine he would take his day when he’s home with his family in Chicago so they can celebrate,” Darcy said.

“Then we’ll have to celebrate in another way, without the Cup,” her mother said, like it was a done deal that the Strikers would end up with the Cup.

The doorbell rang, breaking into her thoughts.

“Who is that? We’re all here,” her mother said, looking toward the hallway.

“Did you invite someone else for dinner, Mom?” Lydia asked, and Darcy tried not to snicker. It was nice not being on the receiving end of her mother’s setups. Not that she’d witnessed her mom trying to rope guys into dating Lydia recently, but it was bound to start back up at some point.

“Of course not. I love you, but I honestly fear what you might do if I did bring home a nice guy for you to meet,” her mother said to Lydia. The entire table burst out laughing.

Lydia smiled and sat back in her chair. “My work here is done.”

“You’re awful. Now go see who’s at the door,” her mother said.

“Wait. This feels like a trick.”

“Just get the door. You’re the closest, and I promise I didn’t invite someone over to meet you” Her mother sounded exasperated.

“Fine,” Lydia grumbled, pushing back from the table and heading toward the door.

“We definitely want tickets,” Charles piped in. “You know. If he has them available. Have you asked?”

“One would think you were only interested in my boyfriend for his hockey tickets and not because he’s a really great guy who makes me happy,” she said, trying to sound indignant.

“Aw, babe. You always say the sweetest things,” Jake’s voice came from over her shoulder, and she froze.

What was he doing here? Not that she wasn’t happy to have him home, but why was he here at her parents’ house?

“Oh, Jake, we didn’t think you’d be by tonight. Darcy said you would probably have team stuff to do when you got back today. You must be exhausted from those games,” her mother said.

Darcy had told him that he didn’t need to come to dinner because of the above stated reasons. Also, it was dinner with her crazy family.

He slid into the empty seat beside her and leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to the spot behind her ear.

“So, I’m a great guy who makes you happy?” he asked, his voice low and heating her from the inside out. “Ah, there’s that blush I love.”

Love.

Her stomach tightened, her breath stalling for a split second.

“I don’t want them taking advantage of you for your tickets,” she said, trying not to get sucked in by his grin. “And you’re not bad, I guess.”

“I missed you too.”

“What are you whispering about over there?” her mother asked.

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