Page 86 of Coach's Temptation

I chuckle as I hug her back tightly, lifting her off the ground like I’ve done ever since I grew taller than her in eighth grade.

“Good to see you too, Mom.”

She pulls back just enough to pinch my cheeks, eyes sparkling with tears and pride.

“My God, Hunter, you’re looking so handsome. A bit tired, but handsome.” Her gaze flickers instantly to Natalie. “And you must be Natalie!”

Natalie smiles warmly, stepping forward. “Hi, Mrs. Brody. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Oh, none of that ‘Mrs. Brody’ stuff! Call me Judy, sweetheart.” Mom immediately pulls Natalie into a tight hug, her embrace warm and genuine. “Thank goodness my son finally had enough sense to bring home a nice girl. We’ve been waiting years.”

I shoot Mom a warning look, but she just swats my hand away and makes an exaggerated zipping motion across her lips. "Oh, don't be silly. I remember that we're not saying anything to anyone." She winks at Natalie. "Though between us girls..."

"Mom." My voice carries that old teenage warning tone.

She ignores me completely, turning to Natalie with a conspiratorial smile. "So he's still bossy then?"

Natalie's laugh rings through the entryway. "You have no idea."

"Some things never change." Mom links her arm through Natalie's. "When he was seven, he reorganized my entire kitchen because he didn't like how I arranged the cereal boxes."

I groan. This is exactly what I was afraid of.

Natalie laughs, cheeks flushing pink, and my chest tightens with affection. Mom’s approval is instantaneous, and something about the way Natalie relaxes into her embrace feels right. Like she fits.

“Come in, come in!” Mom gestures dramatically toward the front door. “Your father’s been pacing all morning, pretending he’s not excited. Oh, you two are just adorable, aren’t you?”

I roll my eyes, but Natalie squeezes my arm, eyes twinkling. “I like her already.”

I lean in close, whispering softly into her ear as we step inside. “She hasn’t shown you my baby pictures yet. You might reconsider.”

Natalie giggles, pressing her shoulder gently against mine. “Never.”

Inside, the house smells exactly as I remember. Freshly baked bread, peppermint candy and loving warmth.

My dad stands in the living room, pretending to be engrossed by the hockey highlights playing on the massive flatscreen TV mounted above the fireplace, but the moment he sees me, his stoic expression cracks into a wide, proud smile.

“Hunt!” he calls, striding over and shaking my hand firmly before pulling me into a quick, tight hug. He’s aged gracefully—tall, strong, and still built like the hockey player he once was. “Good to see you, son. Big win in Vancouver, huh?”

“Yeah, Dad. Felt pretty damn good.” My chest swells slightly under his praise. Even now, it matters. “Dad, meet Natalie.”

He beams at Natalie warmly, offering a handshake that quickly becomes another enthusiastic hug. “Pleasure’s all mine, Natalie. We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things.”

Natalie blushes again, looking slightly overwhelmed, but undeniably happy.

Mom already has Natalie by the arm, guiding her toward the hallway with a conspiratorial smile. “Let me show you Hunter’s old room. He still has all his hockey trophies and posters of Wayne Gretzky plastered everywhere. Trust me, it’s so adorable you'll fall for our boy all over again.”

I groan loudly. “Mom, seriously?”

“Oh, hush, Hunter.” She waves dismissively. “You’re not too big to be embarrassed by your mother.”

Natalie shoots me a teasing glance over her shoulder. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

I watch them disappear up the staircase. Dad nudges my shoulder with a knowing smile.

“She’s something special,” he says simply.

I nod slowly, smiling at the floor. “Yeah, she is.”

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