Page 82 of Defensive Zone

Chapter 15

“We’re ready,” his mom said later that afternoon as she walked into the kitchen in full Strikers gear. Naturally, she had on his jersey, but she’d added a Strikers headband, scarf, and he was pretty sure the logo was on her purse.

“Jeez, Mom, what team are you supporting?” he teased.

“Oh hush, we don’t get to see that many of your games anymore, so I go all out,” she said.

“She wears almost all of that when we watch at home,” his dad deadpanned, but he looked at his wife affectionately.

Their love for each other was as strong as ever, and as much as Max avoided serious relationships, he wanted that. He hadn’t been able to ignore the jealousy that sparked when he saw his friends with their girlfriends, and since they kept pairing off at a rapidly high rate, he was feeling spikes of jealousy more often.

“Oh stop. I’m supporting our son,” she admonished before she brushed a kiss across Max’s cheek.

“Thank you, Mom. I’m glad you guys could come down here to visit,” he said. “It’s good for the kids and Ava.”

“Honestly, how is she doing? She seems better, but we know your sister was always good at looking strong when she needed to,” his mother said.

“I think she’s doing better. It’s hard and I’m not home all the time, so I can’t say for sure, but she’s laughing more,” he said.

“I’m glad Gabi is here. She’s always been like a sister to both of you. And she’s a nanny, so she knows how to help Ava with the kids,” his dad said.

“Yes. You three were like the Three Musketeers,” his mom said.

His dad snorted. “Yeah, if one of them loved annoying the other two.”

“Yeah, Gabi is super annoying,” he teased.

“Am I?” she asked, walking into the room.

Dammit.

“You two were always like oil and vinegar,” his mom said.

“That’s salad dressing, Mom, and it’s delicious,” he said, unable to stop his train of thought with how delicious Gabi was.

He didn’t miss Gabi’s eyes widening and the faint flush in her cheeks. Fuck. He ached to kiss her right now.

“You mean oil and water,” his dad said.

“Oh right. You know what I meant,” she said. “And don’t call one of my favorite girls annoying, Maxwell Mortimer.”

“Everyone knows I’m teasing,” he said, cringing. “There’s no need to middle name me.”

“Mortimer. I forgot that was your middle name. Do your teammates know that?” Gabi taunted.

Fuck. He wanted to kiss her. Kiss that sass right off of her mouth.

“They don’t need to know,” he said.

She smirked. “We’ll see,” she fired back.

He advanced on her, and she scooted around the kitchen island. She did that a lot when she was trying to evade him.

“See, just like bickering siblings,” his mom said.

Max wasn’t sure how she was oblivious to the tension between him and Gabi, but he was grateful. But his father’s quirked brow made him pause.

He cleared his throat. “Gotta get to the arena. I’ll see you all after the game, right?” he asked.

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