Page 68 of Where We Fall

Lexi chuckles next to me, a look of amusement on her face.

“Gee, thanks for making me look good in front of my girl.”

I lead Lexi into the kitchen, where all the women seem to be hanging out.

Silence falls upon the room. Alexis looks so excited that she might spontaneously combust right here.

“Ma. I hope it’s okay that I brought my girlfriend Lexi tonight.”

Ma smiles happily at Lexi, but Lexi swats my stomach.

“You didn’t ask if it was okay for me to come?” she asks in horror.

"What? No. Of course, it’s ok. Right, Ma?”

Ma chuckles and opens her arms out wide. “Of course, it is. I’m so happy to meet you.”

Lexi steps into Ma’s arms. Watching them embrace makes my entire body fill with pride.

“Oh my gosh.” Alexis jumps in and squeezes Lexi. “When Gabe told me, I was so excited. You guys are so cute together.”

Mia winks at me as she comes over and leans in. “You just made Ma’s night.” She looks over again at the two. “Scratch that. You made her year.”

“Only because she probably never saw the day coming.”

Mia laughs. “True. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, sis. It's nice that you all know each other already. Makes the entire thing feel a bit easier.”

Savannah, Alexis, and Ma are already chatting away with Lexi. Based on Lexi’s smiles and laughs, she seems okay.

“I’m gonna go say hi to the guys,” I announce.

Apparently, I announce to no one as they ignore me and keep talking.

Mia cracks up. “They don’t give a shit about your whereabouts, bro. Get out of here.”

Feeling a little butt hurt, I leave the kitchen and walk into the family room where the guys are. The early evening Sunday games have started.

The guys and I are all on the same fantasy football team. None of my big players are in this game, though, so I have less skin in the game.

“If he would stop running the damn ball. I need to get some major yards from him,” Luke yells to nobody in particular.

“He can get 350 yards today. That’s not enough to beat me this week,” Gabe says with a smirk.

Before things escalate, I decide to step in.

“What’s up, brothas? Talking about how I’m gonna be the league winner this year?”

“Living in a fantasy world again?” Gabe fires back.

I laugh as I take a seat next to Pa.

“What’s all the commotion in the kitchen about?” Pa asks curiously.

“Oh, that? I brought my girlfriend Lexi with me.”

I try to remain blasé about it as I wait for their responses.

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