Page 73 of Calling the Shots

“I’m here.” I adjust my ball cap, running my fingers through my hair before setting it back in place.

“Don’t sound so excited, buddy.” Baker frowns, shaking his head.

“It’s not you two. I just got off the phone with my mother.”

I know both of them will understand and sympathize with my plight, having heard all about my family over the years.

“Oh. That’ll do it for sure. What’s the issue this time? The club run out of Arnold Palmers or something? Wrong type of turf on the greens?”

“Worse. She wants me to bring Gracelyn home for the holidays.”

“Oh shit.” Baker lets out a long, low whistle. “Don’t do it, man. Nothing good’s gonna come from that.”

I scrub the back of my neck. “I know. But if I don’t take her, I’m never gonna hear the end of it.”

Carter presses his lips together in a tight line, but stays silent. Something that’s not in Baker’s wheelhouse.

“If it were me, I’d avoid that scenario. Nothing against your parents, but I like to put off the meet-and-greet as long as humanly possible. Especially at the holidays.” Baker takes another long swig of his beer and I motion to the bartender, signaling for a drink. This entire conversation’s making me thirsty.

“That way, if things don’t work out—and I’m not insinuating they won’t, don’t get it twisted—but if y’all break up, no one had to go through the special hell that is meeting the parents. Ya know?” Baker waves his bottle through the air.

“Man, who hurt you?” I tease, frowning at him.

He shakes his head. “You know what I mean, Mack.”

“I do. Just giving you a hard time, Baker. But I don’t think I can get out of it this time.”

The bartender slides my beer across the counter, and I gratefully accept the chilled bottle. I love my parents, but that doesn’t mean I want to spend the long holiday weekend at their house. Add Gracelyn to the mix and Baker’s right—things could go sideways in a hurry. My mother isn’t the easiest woman in the world to get along with. Everyone appeases her to keep her at bay, and there’s no telling what type of snide remarks she’ll make to Gracelyn. I’ll have to stand up for my girl, and that will piss my mom off for sure. Honestly, I was hoping to put off the meeting with Gracelyn until we got married.

Married. What the fuck?I have no idea where that came from.

To drown out my wandering thoughts, I slug down half the beer, eyes fixated on the ball game playing on the television above the bar.

“Not to muddy the waters any, Mack. But if I were you, I’d take Gracelyn home. She’s good with people. I’m sure she can charm your family. Plus, if she doesn’t go, I sense your mother will be offended. Probably best to introduce them and smooth the way, since your mom’s keen on the idea.” Carter glances over at me, tiny frown lines etched between his brow.

Deep-down, I know he’s right. I should take Gracelyn home and introduce her to my parents. Show her where I come from, why I am the way I am.

I nod, my mind made up.

“Fine. I’ll take her, if she’ll go. For all I know, she and her mom already have big plans.”

“Doubt it. The past few years, Gracelyn and her mom came over to our house for Thanksgiving. But this year, Cam’s playing football and I’m going to the game. So I won’t be here.”

“Hopefully Mrs. Reynolds can find a backup plan for turkey day.”

Baker shrugs. “If not, you’re off the hook. That there’s what we call a win-win, Mack.”

He’s not wrong.

I shove away from the bar. “I gotta go talk to Gracelyn. See y’all tomorrow.”

Plunking a ten-dollar bill on the counter, I wave goodbye to my friends as I hustle out of the bar. The sooner I get this holiday discussion over with, the better. Either way, Thanksgiving just got a whole lot more complicated.

CHAPTER24

GRACELYN

Imust’ve fallen asleep waiting for Mack because next thing I know, weak sunlight’s spilling through the window above his bed. He’s lying next to me, one strong arm wrapped around my middle holding me close. His light snore tickles my cheek with each exhale.

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