Page 58 of Playing for Keeps

“You marrying my daughter will do it.”

I frown back at my dad who is eavesdropping. Pa-Emmett strolls over and pats my shoulder.

“I’m sure it’s not personal,” Pa-Emmett says, offering an olive branch to his rival. “Can’t be easy to watch his daughter get married. It’s a dad thing, Val. Don’t stress it.”

“Didn’t Lola agree to marry whoever volunteered?” West asks, joining us. “Why is she complaining about slumming it with my brother when it could have been worse?”

“She isn’t complaining,” I growl and shove West.

As my brother and I try to get each other in a headlock, Pa-Emmett rolls his eyes and mutters to Duke, “These are the future leaders of our clubs.”

I shove aside West and fix my hair. “Stop hassling me, West. I was supportive of your marriage to the ginger raccoon clown.”

“Yeah, you were,” West says and reaches out to smack me upside the head. “I’m just riled up over you moving away. How can you support my woman if you’re never around?”

Forcing me into a hug, West torments me with affection now.

“Are they always like this?” Duke asks Pa-Emmett.

“No, sometimes, they’re asleep or their mouths are too full of food to talk. Occasionally, they’ll get quiet during sad movies.”

Uncle Court sizes up Duke and asks, “Is your brother coming?”

“No. He might not attend the wedding, either. I haven’t decided if I want the Florida chapter to ride up here.”

“Why?”

“There’s a reason I’m fine with them living a thousand miles away.”

“Tuesday claims the Florida chapter is full of ding dongs and dipshits,” I say while West tries to yank my head from my shoulders.

Pa-Emmett reaches over and flicks his oldest child’s head. “Stop trying to injure him. We’re in public for fuck’s sake.”

“Fine, I’ll wait to come at him when we’re home.”

“Why are you so antsy like a fricking kid?” Emmett demands of West.

“I told you. I’m going to miss Val.”

“So, you plan to, what, rip his head off and keep it with you so you won’t miss him?”

“You know me so well, Pa.”

“Is this how you are with your brother?” I ask Duke, wanting him to feel included.

“Sure, just without the silly banter and an older male to play referee.”

“But you have your ma,” I say, and he narrows his dark blue eyes at me. “She keeps you boys in line.”

“Did Lola tell you that?”

“No, Tuesday did,” I reply, winning a glare from Duke and a smirk from Pa-Emmett. “But Lola confirmed it. She said you allowed Dallas to survive without a severe ball injury because of your love for Erin.”

Duke looks around as all the men study him. I think maybe my attempt to make him feel included has led to him feeling on the spot.

“Everyone has a family member like Dallas,” I say and pretend to look at tuxes. “Like, there’s my loser cousin Otto and my other loser cousin Felix. Both of them aren’t here to defend themselves, so trust me that they’re terrible. But we love them anyway.”

Nearby, Court and Donovan scowl at how I throw their boys under the bus to make my future pa-in-law feel better.

---