Page 73 of Puck Shots
“No,” I manage to squeak out, and he laughs.
“They are going to love you, just wait and see.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then you can hide out in my room with me the whole time. I have a view of the lake from my window, so we can climb out onto the roof to watch the fireworks from there.”
“Hiding out in your room actually sounds like a nice way to spend the weekend.”
He brings my hand up to his mouth and kisses the back.
“Oh, we’ll be spending plenty of time in there, I promise you. But seriously, you don’t have to worry about anything.”
The second I’m out of the car, his mom and sister are there, and just like he warned, they pull me into a tight hug.
“Welcome, Eli. We were so glad to hear you were coming,” his mom, Lyn, says as she and his sister, Rachel, let me go.
“Umm yeah, thanks for having me.”
“Calvin and Tony are in the rec room trying to pick a board game for tonight. It’s a Parks family tradition to spend the last day of the year in brutal competition,” Rachel says with a grin, and a roll of her eyes that tells me she secretly, or not so secretly, loves it.
“Eli is a killer chess player,” Cosmo says, and my cheeks burn.
“I’m okay.”
“You’re better than okay, and you’ve even taught me how to play.”
“Woah, who are you and what have you done with my baby brother?” Rachel teases.
He shoves her in the side, but she counters with a jab to his stomach, and he picks her up and throws her over his shoulder and starts walking towards the house as she kicks and laughs.
“I was joking, please don’t. I just did my hair,” she screams at him.
“Umm, is she okay?” I ask, and Lyn shrugs with a genuine unfazed smile.
“They do this every time. The pool is heated; she’ll be fine. Come on, I’ll show you inside.”
He’s going to throw her in the pool, and she’s not going to stop him? Will his brothers try to throw me in? I can swim fine, but I only brought a few things to wear, and this is my nicest outfit. I chose a dark blue shirt with a collar and grey chinos with a brown belt. It’s the same outfit I wore to my cousin’s wedding last year, so I figured it would be good to make a great firstimpression on his family. Soaking wet, I don’t think it would have the same effect. Only one way to find out. I go to grab my bag from the back seat, but Lyn waves me away.
“Cosmo will grab that later. You’re our guest,” she says, linking her arm to mine. “I hope you’re hungry. Jo’s been on the grill all afternoon.
Just as she says it, the sweet smoky barbecue scent fills my nose, and my stomach grumbles.
“I could eat,” I say, trying to sound casual but respectful. Is that even a thing?
Lyn walks us around the back where there’s a covered pergola and comfy chairs just in time to watch Rachel, drenched and climbing from the pool. There’s a decent amount of steam coming off it given the cool temperature outside. Her face is red, either from the warm water or the pure rage building inside her. Only time will tell.
“Welcome,” one of the twins, I’m not sure which one yet, says, practically leaping from the sectional and landing in front of me.
“You a hugger or a handshake kind of guy?”
Lyn squeezes my arm.
“He asks, but really Tony will hug you, regardless.”
“She’s right,” he shrugs, pulling me into a hug and patting my back for good measure.
“So I’m the better-looking of the twins, I’m sure Cosmo’s told you all about me.”
