Page 71 of Playing for Keeps

“We need to behave,” Lola insists as she smiles up at me. “The last time our families got together, things were awkward and a little hostile. I didn’t trust in us like I do now. That’s why I want people to understand we’re not just about the fucking.”

“No one thinks that. Your dad understands how I’m crazy about you. My mom trusts you with my heart. Just chill and enjoy spending time with our families.”

As Lola’s anxiety fades, she hurries us out the door. We take my hog over to the Rockwell Holiday Inn, where the parking lot is already full of familiar vehicles. In the lobby, we locate the wedding planner speaking to Poppy and Tuesday.

Lola looks around for her family, finding only Blood-Red Suns members. I feel her tension reigniting. She’s been lowkey agitated over her mom’s disinterest in the wedding. I feel her now worrying Duke, Erin, and Clover are checked out, too.

“Surprise!” a voice cries out from the front doors.

Duke, Erin, and Clover appear with a woman I instantly recognize from Lola's pictures.

If I were a silly little girl, I’d jump up and down right now. Since I’m a sexy beast, I only smile and nod as Lola races into her mom’s arms.

LOLA, AKA SHE WHO IS VAGINALLY BRAVE

Kerrie’s arrival a week early sends me running into her arms. I can’t believe she surprised me!

My mom looks beautiful in a long denim skirt, a blue bohemian-style shirt, and cowboy boots. Her long dark hair hangs loosely around her shoulders. Her red lips can’t stop smiling.

As I cling to her in the hotel lobby, Kerrie strokes my hair and coos, “My baby is getting married. I heard he’s crazy about you.”

I finally release my mom from the bear hug and smile at her. “Val is everything.”

Looking back at him, I find my hunk dying to get into the mix. I wave him over and make a quick introduction.

“Oh, you’re very handsome,” Kerrie says, staring all wide-eyed. “I don’t know why I didn’t think you would be.”

Kerrie frowns back at Duke who shrugs. “I might have described Val as a doofus. That was back in the beginning, and I never got around to correcting any misconceptions.”

“Thank you, sir,” Val says without missing a beat.

“Oh, he’s being sarcastic,” Kerrie tells me and smiles up at Val. “Are you giving Duke grief? You’ve got to stay on top of him or he’ll just bulldoze right through your feelings.”

“I’ve never found that to be true,” I say and look at my dad. “He’s always been a pushover with me.”

Duke grins before gesturing at Val’s family nearby. “Better introduce Kerrie to his people, so we can get this party started.”

Val wraps an arm around my shoulders and signals for his mom to approach.

“My ma is also a looker,” Val explains to Kerrie.

My mom gives me an odd frown. I suspect the version of Val in her head was far less gorgeous. She’s a little stumped right now as Val does introductions.

Poppy frowns at my mom. “I thought you were showing up last minute because you didn’t care to be here earlier.”

Kerrie’s expression freezes as she looks at me.

“I never said that,” I lie.

“I just assumed because you weren’t around for the dress shopping or hair fixing,” Poppy says casually, though I know her well enough by now to understand she’s purposely stirring up trouble to see how Kerrie will react.

“I admit I figured Val was probably a loser who couldn’t get a wife without an arranged marriage,” Kerrie explains while holding my hand. “But Duke explained how Lola loved the doofus, and I needed to get here to enjoy the show. I apologize for misreading things.”

Poppy immediately frowns at Duke. “Don’t call my son a doofus.”

“During our first meeting, your son called my daughter a slut. So, yeah, I thought he was a doofus,” Duke mutters before adding, “Among other things.”

Poppy turns her scowl to Val who shrugs. “I was hiding my heart. I’m sensitive, Ma.”

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