Page 75 of Absolutely Not in Love
I turn and see Josh crossing the yard, his eyes narrowed like he’s trying to see who I’ve brought with me to the party. “Oh boy,” I say slowly. I give Felix one more look. “Better brace yourself.”
I climb out of the car and smile at Josh.
“Hey!” he says as he pulls me into a hug. “I didn’t know you were bringing a…” His words trail off, and I can only assume it’s because Felix has gotten out of the car.
He steps up behind me, and Josh’s eyes dart from me to Felix, then back again.
“Josh,” I say slowly, “this is my—”
“Felix Jamison,” Josh says, his eyes wide. “You’re Felix Jamison.”
For once, I don’t mind that Josh cut me off because I’m not sure how I would have finished that sentence. This is my…date? That probably would have been easiest. But the word that popped into my head? Pretty sure it wasboyfriend.
Would Felix have been okay with that?
“How are you, man?” Felix says, extending his hand to Josh.
Josh shakes it and starts to laugh. “I can’t believe this is happening.” He looks at me. “I told you to get Maddox an Appies hoodie, and you bring him the freaking goalie instead?”
I smile with feigned nonchalance. “Hedidtell me Felix was his favorite player.”
“He is!” Josh says. He looks at Felix. “You are. Seriously. It’s such an honor. We’re big fans.”
“I appreciate it,” Felix says. He holds up the gift bag holding Maddox’s new hoodie. “We brought the sweatshirt, too. Signed by the whole team.”
“You’re lying. The whole team?” Josh shakes his head, his smile wide as he leads us toward the house. “Seriously, best present ever. Gracie, you win the award. I’m not sure how much you had to pay him to come for Maddox, butman,nothing will ever compete with this.”
I catch Felix’s eye, and we share a quick smile.
Josh chuckles. “Man, I hope she paid you a lot because you’re about to be swarmed by a dozen hockey-obsessed ten-year-olds.”
“I’ve done enough youth clinics to be comfortable with that crowd,” Felix says. “But she’s not paying me anything. Gracie and I are neighbors.” His eyes dart to me, a question in his expression, and I realize for the second time that we really should have talked about how I was going to introduce him to my family. Probably shouldn’t spring boyfriend on him before we have an actual define-the-relationship talk, but surely he’ll be okay if I tell them we’re dating.
I lift my shoulders in a tiny shrug, and Felix nods as if to say whatever I want is fine with him.
“Neighbors who are also…dating,” I add slowly, and Felix reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a quick squeeze.
Josh pauses, spinning around to face me.
“You’re dating?” He props his hands on his hips, his gaze narrowing. “Youare dating Felix Jamison?”
“Thatiswhat I just said,” I answer.
Josh frowns, the furrow between his brows deepening. “But…he plays hockey.”
Oh geez.I knew my family might be surprised, but Josh is going to bring this up here? Right in front of Felix?
“Yep,” I quickly say, grabbing Josh’s shoulder and steering him toward the front door. “Can we go inside now? How’s Dad? Has he been doing the exercises his doctor gave him?”
Josh shoots me a look, but there isn’t time to say anything else because the front door opens and Maddox appears.
My nephew’s eyes land on me, and he smiles, then they lift to Felix.
“What?!” he says, with an exaggerated emphasis that makes me fight to stifle my laughter. “Felix Jamison is at my birthday party?!”
Felix drops to one knee in front of Maddox. “Hey, Maddox,” he says. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by.”
Maddox nods, his wide eyes and stunned expression identical to what I saw on my brother’s face not five minutes ago.
