Page 57 of Unraveling Rain
“Wait,” I say, stopping her before she reaches Minx. “I can drive.” I motion to my SUV.
She smiles, shaking her head. “Ah, you want to show off.”
I shrug. “So what?”
She chuckles. “This is going to be good.”
I catch up, open the door for her.
I steal a quick kiss as she settles in. “I’m not afraid of your brothers. If they want to dance, I can dance.”
“Oh yes, the competitive side of the professional athlete is ready to play,” she teases.
I wink and hurry around to the driver’s side.
She queues up “Cherry Pie” and declares it our song. We belt it out, windows down, music blasting. I make a mental note: this needs to be my walkout song for home games.
Her family’s house is straight out of a postcard—the typical white siding with black-trimmed windows, wraparound porch bursting with flower pots. Rocking chairs and a swing complete the picture. I can already imagine the orchard view at sunset.
Rain opens the door, and laughter spills into the foyer.
“Everyone, I’m home,” she shouts.
There’s a beat of silence, then voices return louder than before.
“Oh, hello there, handsome,” Granny says, appearing first.
“Hi, Granny.” I smile and lean down for a hug.
She hugs me tightly, then whispers, “I see you brought her to me.” I remember what she told me at the diner—that I was going to meet the love of my life.
“Yup. I did.”
She pats my forearm and winks. “Good boy.”
A woman who looks to be in her fifties, with auburn hair and kind eyes, hugs Rain.
“Hey, dear. So glad you’re here.”
“Mama,” Rain says, pulling back. “You knew I was coming.”
Her mom raises an eyebrow.
“Relax, Mama. Xander’s a nice guy,” Rain adds quickly, stepping to my side as I slide my arm around her waist.
“Before everyone starts making things weird,” she announces, “let’s get this over with. This is Xander. He came to Azalea Creek for therapy at Serene Lookout, and I invited him over today.”
Four pairs of eyes land on me. Granny and her mom grin. The two tall men behind them, one I recognize, watch me with guarded curiosity.
“Hello, everyone. Nice to meet you. I’m Xander González.” I take Rain’s mom’s hand and kiss the back of it.
“Oh my, what a gentleman. Welcome, Xander. I’m Josephine, but please call me Joss.”
I nod and turn to shake hands with one of the brothers.
“Hey, man. I’m Miles,” he says, then smirks. “Are you her date?”
“Yes,” I say at the exact moment Rain blurts, “No.”
