Page 99 of Mr. Charming

Thank the universe for small favors. It’s as though all the powers are on my side to win Tedi back.

We didn’t get to play our non-conference game since the weather was so shitty and Philly couldn’t get out of Toronto from their game the night before. The snowstorm is keeping us here for another night, so when Tedi suggested Rowan, Conor, Henry, and I come to her dad’s house for dinner, she didn’t have to ask me twice. It just sucked that the other three came with me. I wouldn’t have minded the time alone with her.

We arrive at Tedi’s childhood home with her since she waited for us while the rest of her family came back here. It’s a three-bedroom ranch that’s modest and well-kept. It sits on a nice piece of land. I haven’t been here in years, and I really hope her dad is okay with me coming.

Tedi opens the door. “Hello!” she calls into the house.

“Hi!” Mason emerges from the kitchen area. He skids to a stop and waves at the group of us. Tedi swoops him up, and he wiggles to get free. “Snow!”

He laughs as she shakes her hair, and all the flakes land on his face. She gives him a big kiss on the cheek and releases him.

“Do you want to see my daddy’s old room?” he asks us guys.

“Let me introduce them first, then they’re all yours.” Tedi runs her fingers through Mason’s hair, and I find myself admiring the way she is with him.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her with kids. She’s probably like an aunt to Aiden and Saige’s girls now. The thought that I missed seeing that happen makes my chest squeeze.

We all take off our shoes and coats in the entryway.

Tedi leads us through the family room and into the kitchen, where her dad and the woman I suspect is the new girlfriend are cooking. There’s a pot of sauce on the stove and some pasta boiling. It’s been a minute since I’ve had a home-cooked meal like this. Toby and Theo are at the table, each with a beer in hand.

“Okay, you guys already know Toby and Theo…”

Her dad looks over and doesn’t smile. Great. I figured there would be some work to do here. I practiced my speech on Conor earlier in the hotel room.

“This is my dad, Derin.” She puts her arm through her dad’s and rests her cheek on his shoulder just like she used to do with me. Then she kisses his cheek, and he smiles for the first time.

“Rhonda, this is my daughter, Tedi.”

Rhonda turns from the stove to face Tedi. I’m not sure how I would feel if my mom ever had a boyfriend. She’s gone on dates, but no one seems to stick longer than a few months. Since I’m rarely home, I only hear about them from Georgia.

“Hi, Rhonda.” Tedi puts her hand out with a welcoming smile.

“Sorry, dear.” She shows Tedi how her hands have hot pads on them.

Tedi pulls back her hand, and her shoulders slump, which makes me hate Rhonda.

“Dad, you remember Tweetie.” Tedi recovers quickly, she’s dragging her dad across the kitchen by his arm.

“Yes, hello, JD” He puts his hand out, and I swear Conor coughs out a laugh.

“Thanks for having us, sir.”

“You can still call me Derin.”

I nod and don’t say anything else, but Tedi’s already moving him toward the others. She introduces him, and they’re all polite and thank him for having them.

“What can I do to help?” I ask after all the introductions are over.

“Oh, that’s not how Rhonda rolls.” Theo tips his beer at me and takes a sip.

“I’ll get you guys a drink. We’ve got beer, water…” Toby stands, and Tedi walks by me to join him in the garage to get the drinks.

I keep my feet cemented to the kitchen floor, so I don’t tell Toby to forget it, I’ll go with Tedi. The last time I came here, my tongue was down her throat before the door shut. What I wouldn’t do for that to happen now.

Two small hands grab mine. “Come on. I want to show you my daddy’s room,” Mason whines.

“Go ahead, we have a few minutes before dinner’s ready,” Rhonda says.

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