Page 76 of Hat Trick Holidate

“Well, if she’s half as awesome as you are, then Brooke’s dating app seems to work.”

Surrounded by my family, I feel my heart racing with nerves. I promised Bryce that I would tell my parents and brother about our relationship, but now that the moment is here, I’m filled with doubt and worry.

My brother chuckles. “I wonder why it worked for me and not you?”

Oh, it worked.

“Speaking of which, I have something to tell you.”

His phone rings, so he stands to take the call. “Hold that thought, sis. It’s management.” I strum my fingers on my leg and shove a scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth. He stands up and takes the call. I strum my fingers on my leg and shove a scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth, then my phone beeps, which is under my thigh so I sneak a glance.

Bryce: Have you told them? I told Reed and Brooke that they were right all along.

Under the table, I return the message.

Me: Not yet. I was getting ready, but Roman got a call. I will. I promise.

Roman says, “I have to go. Two of my teammates are sick, and they need me at the stadium. Come by when you’re finished.”

“Okay.”

He kisses my mom and me on the cheek and leaves.

Dad watches football in my newly painted den with faux fur. As I hand him the remote, I can’t help but think how tired Bryce must be after working night and day to have my house ready for Thanksgiving.

While Mom and I clean up, she brushes against me and asks, “You seem different. Have you met anyone?”

I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “I need to tell you something. I wanted to tell Roman at the same time, but this can be my trial run.”

Mom snickers as she puts the leftover stuffing in the fridge.

“I’m dating Bryce Wynward. Not just dating, I love him and Jolie.”

“Emmaline. This could get messy since you’re his daughter’s nanny and your brother… Lord, what’s he going to do?”

“Roman should keep a level head like a grown-ass man. I’m in charge of my life.” My heart rattles as I try to explain my feelings for my brother’s teammate.

She pulls me into a motherly embrace. “I’m happy for you. You’re his baby sister and you always told him you never wanted to be married to a professional athlete.”

“Mom, I never had a chance to have my own life. It was always intertwined in Roman’s. I met Bryce the week after Grant dumped me at the wedding, when I came to Atlanta with Roman for his game. I could never get him out of my mind, and he feels the same way. And one more thing. It’s not the man’s job that determines how he’ll treat me…it’s the man.”

Mom draws me into her side and lays her head against my shoulder. “You’ve always been a smart girl.”

On the way to the stadium, Mom informs my dad of my dating situation, and he says, “Well, do you think it was Roman or him who made all the restorations to your house?”

“Why?”

“Because a man who is serious about you wouldn’t want you to live in a little house when he has a big one. So, is he as serious as you are?”

I shrug because I don’t know. “I’m pretty sure Bryce is the one who got the ball rolling. Roman claimed he and Bryce collaborated on it, but I only shared my Pinterest boards with Bryce. Dad, we’re not to the point of getting married, but he wants me to be safe and happy.”

Dad pats my leg. “As long as he treats you like the princess you are, then I’m all for it.”

We pull up to the stadium and a park in the family lot. My gut tells me to get in there fast because Bryce thinks I told him.

After we sign in to help pack food and send my parents to the packing area. The team is supposed to be handing out the food so they can be one with the fans. I slide into a hallway leading to the concourse and hear Bryce’s voice. “You can’t have her.”

As I turn the corner, Bryce is by himself. My heart pounds in my chest and when he sweeps me into his arms, absorbing my body weight, our mouths connect in a passionate kiss. His back hits the locker room door, and he pins me against the dark-red metal.

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