Page 60 of Play to Win

“Right.And my brother, I assume.JP.”

“And that bitch Emma.”

He snorts.“Yeah.And my uncle Mark.He’s divorced.I don’t know if he’s seeing anyone right now.His daughter, Riley, may be there.She’s a goalie coach for the Eagles’ farm team.”

“Whoa.That’s impressive.She plays goal?”

“She used to.She played for the Canadian national women’s team.”

I picture a woman who looks like Théo—six feet tall and muscular.

“Grandpa and Chelsea have been invited.Everly.Maybe she has a date, I don’t know.And her three brothers, Asher, Harrison, and Noah.”

“Crap.”

“The only one who won’t be there is my cousin Jackson.He lives in Chicago.They’re still in the playoffs.”

I’m memorizing all these names.I’m good with names, but this is a lot.I’m also trying not to freak out.

Théo’s parents’ home is a low bungalow that appears cute and modest—a white picket fence, a few trees, and lots of flowers.We approach the front door, painted a charming dark green, with matching shutters on the windows.There are already lots of cars parked in the massive stone driveway, so others must already be here.

Théo opens the door and steps in without ringing the bell, but an alarm system beeps and his mom appears in the foyer.“Hello!You’re here!”She gives Théo a hug and a kiss on his cheek, then turns to me, beaming.“Hello again, Lacey.”She hugs me too, enveloping me in the scent of expensive perfume.

“Here, Mom, this is for you.”Théo hands her the wine.

“Oh, thank you, you didn’t need to bring that.Come in, come in.”She leads the way into the house.

The exterior is deceptive because inside the place is immense—a spacious living room on the right, a big family room, dining room and kitchen on the left, all open to each other.High vaulted ceilings create an airy feel.The furnishings are a sort of French country style that’s elegant but relaxed.

And the rooms are full of people.

Gah.

“Hey, Théo!”a few voices call.Some are sitting on the big couches and chairs, others are standing.I have a vague impression of well-dressed, dark-haired people, mostly men, as Théo starts saying hi.

“Welcome to California,” says one younger man seated on a couch.He stands and moves to shake Théo’s hand.

“Thanks, Ash.”

The door pings again and with a tight smile, Aline says, “That must be JP.”She hurries off and returns momentarily followed by a young man and a woman.Aline’s jaw is set and her eyes flash, but she’s still smiling.

“Okay!”Aline claps her hands and calls out, “Everyone’s here now and Théo has a surprise for you.”

Oh, here we go.

I feel eyes on me.I smile.Théo takes my hand and leads me farther into the living room.

“What’s your surprise?”asks a sophisticated-looking woman standing near the fireplace.

“I want you all to meet Lacey.”He turns and smiles down at me.“My wife.”

There’s a shocked beat of silence and then a roar.The woman who spoke lets out a little shriek, the men all shout, and Aline smiles.

For a few moments, it’s insanity as everyone swarms to congratulate us with hugs and handshakes.I don’t know who anyone is, but I keep smiling.

“Okay, okay,” Théo says.“You’re going to scare the crap out of Lacey.Settle down and let me introduce her to you all.”

“First let me get you drinks,” Aline says.“We have champagne!Matt, can you open it now?”

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