Page 22 of If You Need Me

Not the point.

Hemi

^^^this.

My phone rings.

“Crap.” I knew this was coming. I should’ve called my moms first thing this morning. But the panic was real, and it’s been a tornado of a day. I can’t be honest with them. Not now. Not when Dallas’s mom is already excited about it. And Mom is the worst liar in the world. She has the most obvious, embarrassing tells. Huntsville is too small a place, and everyone is in everyone else’s business. And if Sam finds out he’ll unalive Dallas in retribution. And then the team will really be screwed over. I have no choice but to sell them on this. It’ll be a feat considering that I talk about Dallas all the time, and it’s not with any kindness or affection.

Hemi

They’re calling.

Sam

Don’t buckle under the guilt.

Isaac

*sinking into the ground GIF*

I take a deep breath and hit the answer button. “Hey, Mom!”

“Hi, sweetheart, it’s both of us on the line here,” Mom replies.

“Hi, Ma.” It’s typical of them to call me together.

“Hi, Hemi, seems like you might have some news to share.” Ma’s tone tells me she’s less than pleased.

“I hear you ran into Dallas’s mom.” No point in beating around the bush.

“We did. But it also seems to me like all of the hockey-watching nation knows about our daughter’s love life before we do.” Mom’s nails tap on the counter. Based on the sound, they’re in the kitchen. “I was under the impression you and Dallas didn’t get along all that well.”

That’s because we don’t, and currently I want to murder him all over again for making me lie to my moms. “Well, you know what they say about the line between love and hate. We’ve flipped from hate to really strong like. He does a lot of charity work.”

As if that last detail somehow explains everything. Of all the guys on the team, Dallas volunteers the most. And honestly, the more obscure the charity, the better. For some of the guys, promo ops and volunteer work are also about visibility and helping their image. Like Flip. Sure, Tristan coaches hockey for kids with special needs with his brother regularly, but Dallas is the one who makes meat pies with grandmas as a church fundraiser.

“They do spend a lot of time together,” Ma says thoughtfully.

“And you talk about him more than any of the other players,” Mom agrees. “Although usually it’s with disdain. I can see how that might shift over time, though, especially after he birthed that foal.”

“That was so sweet, even though he did pass out,” Ma adds.

“He is quite handsome,” Mom says.

“And he knows it,” I mutter. So does anyone who lays eyes on him.

“Well, darling, you are very beautiful, not to mention intelligent, driven, and successful. And I’m sure he sees the same things we do. It makes sense that he’s smitten.”

I’m thankful they can’t see my face right now because my mouth is hanging open in disbelief.

“He’s definitely smitten,” Ma agrees. “He looks radiant. And so do you, sweetie.”

“Yeah. I’m ecstatic.” That my voice doesn’t crack is a small miracle. I clear my throat into my elbow to muffle the sound. “We had to keep a lid on things because of the rules at work and the paperwork around it,” I add. That’s probably what I should have led with. “But we finalized all of it this morning.”

“Of course. I wondered about that. Dallas’s mom seemed just as surprised as we were by this development. Everything is okay with the head office? I would have had our lawyer look it over.” Both of my moms are independent businesswomen. Mom is a general practitioner, and Ma is the CEO of an organic health product line. They supported each other and their career goals while each of them carried one of my brothers to term. Then they decided to adopt me. They’ve juggled careers and family and are incredible parents. I strive to have a love like theirs.

“I didn’t have time, but Shilpa answered every question I had in great detail.” Her duty is to the Terror, but she was exceptionally clear about what exactly I was signing.

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