Page 25 of Scoring Truth
I came here tonight wanting to tell her about the press leak and that an article may come out, but I see worry dancing across her face, and I don’t want to ruin her night. Or our weekend away.
Taking her hand, I say, “Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. I’m not. I’m looking forward to this weekend.”
“You are? I thought you didn’t want to do this?”
I shrug. “I didn’t want to do it alone. I didn’t want to go at all, honestly, if it was going to be me, my dad, and his girlfriend.” I laugh. “She’s great and all, but she brings out a sideof him I haven’t ever seen. I’m glad for it, don’t get me wrong. I love seeing my dad happy. But I’m used to him being the grouch. It’s weird to see him in love.”
She laughs again, and I continue. “His best friend Mark and his girl, Mackenzie, both work at North Pole U, too. He’s something else. I should warn you about him, but I don’t really know how to explain him. He says whatever he thinks, most of the time it's bad pickup lines, and it sets my dad off. And when you add in Jackson?” I shake my head. “I’m just going to apologize now for them!”
“I’m really looking forward to meeting them. I’d love to see who your people are.”
Taking her hand, I pull her closer to me. “I’m excited for you to meet them, too.” Brushing her wild hair away from her glasses, I tell her, “You’re gorgeous.”
She ducks her head and blushes, and I tilt her chin back up to look at me. “I’m serious, Pip. Don’t look away.”
She shrugs. “I’ve never been told that. I’ve been told my glasses are too thick, my hair is too curly, I’m too short–”
“Whoever told you that is an asshole. And I’m glad I get to be the one to tell you you’re beautiful.”
She leans in, and I meet her halfway, both of us always seeming to not be able to get enough of each other. She gives me a quick succession of kisses, making me laugh. “No way, mister, if you distract me, we’re never going to get packed and be out of here on time tomorrow!”
I stand abruptly, pulling her up with me. I dip at the knees and catch her waist over my shoulder. She shrieks, and I laugh, smacking her ass as I walk us down the hall to her bedroom. “They can wait for us. I need my fill first.”
18
JAMESON
We’re late in arriving at Candy Cane Key, and waiting for us as we step off the plane is, of course, my fan club. I laugh as I see Jackson and Mark holding signs that read:
‘Congrats on your early parole’
and
‘So glad the infection cleared up.’
I’m surprised Francesca isn’t here, ready to fight off the paparazzi and defend quotes left and right. There is a small crowd gathering; it’s a given at any time here in Candy Cane Key, but the town generally leaves the team alone. They’re used to the college team and scoutsflying in and out.
“My boy!” Dad quickly walks toward me and grabs me up in a bear hug. I’m bigger than him, not by much, but he still manhandles me like I’m six years old. We clap each other on the back and hold on for a moment too long, despite just seeing each other last weekend. No matter how often we see each other, being as close as we are, it’s hard to leave each time.
Letting go of Dad, Mark and Jackson bum rush me, circling me and jumping around, signs thrown to the ground.
“Are you two for real?” Dad picks up both discarded posters, his face twisted up in horror.
“Dash, come on, have a sense of humor!”
“It’s going to be your wife making you sleep on the couch when she sees these in the paper tomorrow, you idiot!”
Jackson only laughs. “I’ll handle her.”
“Hmm, sure.”
I pull Penelope to my side and squeeze her hand. “Dad? Mark? Jackson? I want you to meet Penelope Presley.”
Shyly, she says hello and holds out her hand. But because two-thirds of my favorite guys are complete fools, they wrap her up in a hug.
“Oh!”
Dad pushes them both away from her. “I’m sorry about them, Penelope. I hope my son warned you about these two morons that never grew up.”
