“Oh, I can’t wait to meet her.”
Damon grabbed the nearest pillow and put it over his face, hoping to block out the insanity that was his family. “You know I’m only here through Christmas, and then I’m right back on the road until playoffs.”
Apparently, they heard him, muffled though he’d been, and didn’t care.
His mother chuckled. “Time enough to work on your fiancé. When do we get to meet her?”
Damon carefully got to his feet. “You know, I think I’ll make a run to the grocery store to grab some ingredients for your Friday night get-together.”
“Oh, find something for my chicken casserole.”
“Really, Leila?” Mike asked. “Chicken right after Thanksgiving? That’s a lot of bird.”
“Good point.”
While they argued the merits of fowl, Damon escaped to the garage, grabbing his jacket on the way. He had no intention of hitting a grocery store on the day before Thanksgiving. And not when he’d already grabbed a ton of food for their holiday celebration just a few days ago.
He texted his buddy, who answered right away.
More than glad for the reprieve, Damon decided to forgive Cade for being an ass last night. The invite to his brother’s place later to help set up for an early holiday party was just what he needed to get away from his loving but menacing folks.
But as he followed directions to the place, he wondered if the Sinclair Gift had any substance, because damned if he could get Marlie and her full lips pulled back in a sneer off his mind.
CHAPTER 6
“You really don’t have to help,” Piper Weston said when Damon lifted a box of decorations for her.
“Nah. I owe you big for letting me hang out here, away from my folks.” He smiled.
She smiled back.
Across the room, her husband, Cade’s brother, watched him, not smiling.
“I don’t think Grant likes me.”
Cade joined them with a smile. “For so many reasons.”
“Cade.” Piper frowned. The beautiful blond had gotten married to Grant last year and glowed in the last stages of her pregnancy.
“Hey, truth hurts.” Cade watched her with concern. “You’re rubbing your belly. Are you okay?”
Piper smiled. The sight of her happiness eased Damon’s tension. Suddenly, Marlie’s smile invaded his thoughts. As the blasted woman had been distracting him all day.
“I’m fine,” Piper said, resting her hand on her baby mountain, because no way that was a baby bump. “The twins are restless.”
“Damn, girl. Twins?” Damon grinned. “Way to score one in the goal, Grant,” he said to the stern guy walking toward them.
Damon remembered that as kids, Grant had always tagged along when he’d hang out with Cade and their friends. A serious-minded little guy closer to Damon’s age, yet they hadn’t bonded. Damon, big for his age, had made instant friends with Cade and a few other kids.
Then Grant had done his own thing, leaving town and becoming a pro baseball player.
Grant smiled. “Yeah, I got pretty lucky when Piper said yes.” He kissed her, his love clear. The joy in the house made Damon glad he’d been invited. He’d needed this, a break from stress and thoughts about the season he was missing.
Though he had no problem taking the time to heal, he did miss his team. The guys were a family, and some of them needed his help more than they knew.
“So what’s this I hear? You left baseball?” Damon accepted a beer from Cade. “And where’s your wife?” he asked his buddy.
“Ellie’s with Alex at some play a town over. My mom’s with them. I’m here on baby watch.”
