Marlie tried to catch Will’s eye, but he was ignoring her a little too hard.
Steve grabbed her in a headlock and whispered, “What party?”
She murmured back, “Shh. I’ll tell you later. But if you want your coach to show Saturday, get off.”
He released her so fast she dropped to the floor.
“Ow.” She glared up at him.
“Good thing you landed on your fat ass,” Steve said.
Which did nothing to Marlie’s ego because she, and the rest of her family, knew her penchant for keeping in shape. “Oh, please. Whose fat ass? I can skate rings around you, and you all know it.”
“Bet,” Ed said.
“What’s to bet? You have never beaten me on skates. Ever…loser.”
Her mother guffawed. “She gets that from me.”
“No kidding,” her dad said. “Competitive be thy middle name.”
Will smirked. “Yeah? Well, we have an edge, little sister. Guess what, Mom and Dad? The great Demon Sinclair agreed to coach our team this weekend. And right before our game with the Sharks on Sunday.”
“With those idiot football players,” Steve said with a sneer. “I hate those guys.”
Her mom grinned. “Why? Because they donate to the town, are genuinely nice people, and steamrolled over you at the last charity football game?”
Their dad laughed. “Man, Steve. You took so many hits.”
She had to laugh as well. “You really did. No wonder you still have brain damage from last year.”
“Ha ha. Laugh it up.” He glared with evil intent. “Just wait until this weekend when Demon gives us the secret to slopping the ice with the Flashmans.”
“Well, now I have to see the game Sunday,” Mona announced.
Her brothers swung their gazes to Marlie, no doubt wondering the same thing she did. Could they keep her quasi-relationship with Damon from her mother?
If she even had a relationship with the guy after her date Friday. What did a girl do to follow up a handjob after barely getting to know the guy’s name?
CHAPTER 10
Following the most amazing turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and casserole after casserole that his mother and sister had managed to put together to complete the amazing meal, Damon kicked back in his seat and wondered if he could fit another helping of everything without exploding.
“Jesus, Damon, where do you put it all?” Grace shook her head.
His sister looked damn good. Still full of muscle and sass, she remained sarcastic and funny. A ballbuster and carbon copy of their father.
“I need the protein. Helps my knee recover faster.”
His mom nodded. “Just make sure you save room for pie.”
“Oh, that’ll be no problem.” Not only had he watched his sister fix the pumpkin pie under their mother’s direction. She’d also made an apple pie just for him.
Damon studied the table, wondering if he should wait.
Nah. He loaded up on more turkey and stuffing, smothering his plate in gravy.
“Seriously, dude. You and I are hitting the gym tomorrow.”
