Page 105 of Crossing Lines

“Damn, you are a looker.” His mother walked to me and grabbed both my hands in hers. “I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. But Jonah says she’ll be fine.” She glanced at Jonah, smirking at her. “It’s so nice of you to go take care of her.” She tilted her head. “God knows, I’d be left to fend for myself.”

Jason rolled his eyes while his father scoffed and shook his head, his father saying, “You know better than that, Beth.”

His father stepped to me and held his hand out. “A hockey coach, huh? I hear you did a hell of a job with the team this year. Got a championship win.”

Shaking his hand, I said, “Thanks, but of course, it wasn’t just me. It was the whole team.” I freed him and set my sights on Jason. “I hear you’re at U of M for pre-veterinary medicine?”

“I am.” He lifted his chin and puffed out his chest. “It was a hard year, but I got through it with a three-point-eight GPA.” He threw a look at Jonah.

“Yeah, that’s my egghead brother.” He patted Jason on theshoulder. “What he doesn’t have in brawn, he makes up for in brains.”

“I leave the athletics to Jonah.” He gave me a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you, man. I’ve heard a lot about you from my mom.” He came in for a side hug, patting me on the back.

My eyes widened. I hadn’t expected the hug from his brother, but Jonah had said they were close growing up. “Yes, and soon he’ll be in the NHL.” I beamed at Jonah. I knew he was going to make it. No doubt in my mind.

“Gosh, you have no idea how proud I am of you, son.” His father patted Jonah on the back, then turned his smile on me. “And you.”

“Thanks.” Dipping my head, I glanced at my black shoes under my gray slacks. I had dressed up to meet them tonight, and being a coach, I had my fair share of attire to pick from.

“Anyway, let’s go get a seat in the restaurant before it fills up.” Jonah snatched my hand and led everyone toward a tall hallway.

Beth walked beside us. “Ryan, I want you to know something.”

“Yeah? What’s that.” I snuck a peek at her profile, her nose so much like Jonah’s. I could see the resemblance to Jonah in all of them.

“I wanted you to know that I’m glad he has you.” She wrapped her hand around my arm. “Please, take care of my baby.”

The corners of my eyes pricked. That was right. He was supposed to go home this summer to them, but instead, he was coming home to my family. “Don’t worry. I’ll take very good care of him.”

Jonah kissed my cheek. “And I’ll take good care of you.”

A week later,we were pulling up to Mom’s house in the ’burbs of Toronto. I’d had a great time with Jonah’s family during graduation and our trip had been loads of fun, stopping off in North Dakota to see an enormous sculpture of a buffalo named Dakota Thunder. We’d laughed like crazy at the size of the thing’s balls, which were bigger than both our heads combined. Juvenile? Yes, but we had so much stress to let off.

I drove the truck to the curb and stopped, then looked over the two-story house in brick with white windows. The big old elm tree I used to play in shaded the yard. I’d spent a lot of time here when I was little, and it seemed I always came back. “We’re home.”

With a broad grin and wide eyes, Jonah scanned the property. “Damn, it looks a lot like Minnesota.”

“Were you expecting something different?” I shut off the engine and climbed out of the truck, then rounded it to meet up with Jonah.

“No, but I guess we’re in a different country, so…” He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m just being stupid because I’m about to meet your mom.”

“You nervous?” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. He was so adorable right now, and holy shit, we were doing this. Starting today, this was our home for the foreseeable future.

“A little.” He pinched his lips. “I have a question, though.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” I walked him toward the front door under a small gable, my heart bursting with warmth.

“Do I call her Stella or Mom?” He giggled.

“Call her mom. She’ll love that.” I kissed his cheek again because I couldn’t stay off him.

“Good. Mom it is.” With a chortle, he patted my stomach.

The door flung open, and Mom jogged down the front steps, her pixie-cut gray hair styled to look messy on her head and her blue eyes twinkling. “Ryan and Jonah, so glad to see you.” She threw her arms around both of us and hugged us tightly, thenkissed my cheek and Jonah’s. “My, aren’t you both something.” She stepped back and looked us over from head to toe. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to invite you into my home, Jonah.” She grabbed his hand in both of hers and leaned in. “You know I’m a huge Maple Leafs fan, so you better get on the team.”

“Oh, I will.” Jonah tossed me a grin. “I have a great coach right here to give me pointers off the ice.”

“Well, come inside. I’ve got some sandwiches made for you. I figured you’d be hungry. I hope you like grilled cheese.” She waved behind her, and we followed her into the house.

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