Page 33 of Trust Me With Forever

As I took a deep breath and willed myself to get my ass out of the car, my sister’s new stepson, Wyatt Wolfe, bolted out of the front door toward me. He’d been quiet and a little shy at first, but now he was a lot more open and always asked questions about my soccer career. Ever since I’d helped start up a local soccer team for him and his friends, he’d seen me as some kind of hero.

I opened the door, and Wyatt skidded to a halt. “Uncle Rafe, you came! Emmy said you would, but Dad said you probably wouldn’t. I’m glad you did! Did you bring the jersey? Did you?”

I couldn’t help but smile. Usually, Wyatt’s twin sister was the outgoing one. Wyatt only seemed to get like this around me. After reaching over, I picked it up and held it out. “Here you go.”

He held up the red and white jersey of the Manchester Dragons, but on the back, it had “Wolfe” for the name.

“Thank you, Uncle Rafe!” He tugged it over his head. It was a little too big, but the boy was in his growing-like-a-weed stage, and I’d wanted to play it safe.

“Glad you like it, Wyatt. Is everyone here already?”

I took out the container of macarons and shut the car door. Wyatt replied, “Yeah, you’re the last one. But you’re still on time,it’s just everyone’s early tonight. Something about Aunt Lori bringing fancy wine and Katie bringing fancy cheese and they didn’t want to miss out.”

Given how the Wolfe siblings always acted like they’d never eaten before in their lives when they got together for meals, it didn’t surprise me. “Well, then let’s join them.”

Wyatt plucked at his jersey. “This is awesome. I can’t wait to show my friends. Asher has a San Jose Earthquakes jersey with his name on it, but this is way better.”

“A friend of mine plays for the Earthquakes.” I lowered my voice. “But the Dragons are better.”

Wyatt put his arms out like wings and shouted, “Roar!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Normally, I hated talking about my time as a pro soccer player—I loved the game and hadn’t done it for the fame. But Emmy had confided about how Wyatt had struggled to make friends at first, after moving to Starry Hills. But the jersey I’d given him for his birthday had started talk with some of the students and he now had a best friend.

The front door opened just as we reached it, and Wyatt’s twin sister, Avery, stood there. “Another jersey? Why, Wyatt? You have too many already.”

“This one is better.”

“It’s still boring and ugly.”

“Just like your face.”

“Wyatt!”

He laughed, and she chased him outside, around the front yard. I watched them for a few seconds before my sister’s voice made me turn around. “Thank you for getting him that personalized jersey, Rafe. He’s talked about nothing else for days.”

Before I could reply, she hugged me and I awkwardly patted her back with one hand.

When she stepped back, I handed her the container of macarons. “Just like you asked.”

“Wow, these are from a fancy San Francisco bakery.”

“Only the best for my sister.”

Her gaze met mine, and she narrowed her eyes. “Amber makes amazing ones, too. I think you’re buttering me up for something.”

I placed a hand over my heart. “Never.”

“Okay, now I definitely know you’re up to something.” Her face sobered, and she whispered, “It’s not going to ruin the night, is it?”

“I…hope not.”

Before my sister could say anything else, Aunt Lori—she made everyone call her that, even me—appeared next to Emmy. “Rafe! I’m glad you came, lad. Come on. Everyone’s waiting inside.”

After looping her arm through mine, she tugged. Given how she was over a foot shorter than me, it was almost comical, but I followed her lead.

She added, “You somehow always end up being the last one to arrive. But I made them wait to start dinner. A young, strong man like you needs his food.”

I studied the woman in her sixties, her black hair streaked with gray, and tried to determine if Abby had told her about us being married yet. But her expression was merely amused and smiling, and I couldn’t tell.

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