Page 58 of The Head Game

She stood talking to a group of four people. A sick, sinking feeling appeared in the pit of August’s stomach as they all turned to face him.

Skylar glanced over, smiling tightly. “August. You must not have gotten my text letting you know Nico’s parents are here.”

For one wild moment, August wondered if he could make a run for it. That wouldn’t be weird at all, right?

“Yes, we were through customs much quicker than anticipated,” the man said with a small sigh. “Sorry we didn’t text you, Sky. We were all so worried about Nico we forgot.”

A beautiful statuesque blonde woman smiled at him. “Oh, you must be Nico’s fiancé. I’m Isa Gerritsen. Nico’s mother.”

Shit. August was so screwed.

“Uhh,” August managed.

She kept talking. “You know, it’s funny, when the nurse said his fiancé was in the waiting room, I assumed it was Sky.”

Behind her, Skylar laughed uneasily. “No, not me.”

“And when I realized she was pregnant, I thought …”

Skylar grimaced at August behind everyone’s back.

Isa seemed to realize what she’d said because she shook her head and gave August a warm smile. “Oh, but of course, we’re delighted to meet you, August. We know we’ll love anyone Nico loves.”

“Uhh.” August cleared his throat, determined to finally fess up about it. “Well, you see, I’m …”

Skylar made a slashing motion against her throat. Clearly telling him to cut it out.

He stared at her, trying to convey How fucking long are we going to keep this ruse up? through his gaze.

But she made the play along face.

August hesitated. Skylar had seemed kind and he had no reason not to trust her, so he cleared his throat again and gave Nico’s mom what he hoped was a sincere smile. “I’m August Manning.”

That much was true at least.

Isa’s smile was brilliant. “Lovely to meet you, August. Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my former husband, Pieter Arents. He’s Nico’s father.”

He was very tan with sandy blond hair and a short beard. Good-looking, although Nico didn’t resemble him much. He looked more like his mother.

Isa continued. “This is my wife, Anika Kulper.”

Anika was also a blue-eyed, pink-cheeked blonde, though she looked younger than Isa. Less intimidating. Her smile was soft as she shook August’s hand. “Lovely to meet you,” she murmured.

“And this is Pieter’s wife, Noor Arents.” Noor was a striking woman with dark hair, dark eyes, and warm brown skin.

“Nice to meet you, August.”

He murmured his agreement, hoping he’d remember all of the names.

Isa smiled. “Pieter and I divorced when Nico was very young so Anika and Noor helped raise him too. Nico always had an abundance of love.”

Nico had three mothers and one father. Huh. Yeah. Somehow, that totally fit.

Isa laughed softly. “But surely Nico’s mentioned all that to you.”

August let out a non-committal little noise of agreement. “He is definitely lucky to have such a big loving family.”

Isa patted his arm as if delighted by his response. “Please, won’t you come in? It looks like you were about to eat lunch. I’m sorry if we interrupted.”

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