I hadn’t let it win in the past, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let it win now. “Thanks, Mum.”
“Anytime.”
“I mean it. I know you’ve been kicking your own butt these last few days … but I need you to know I think I have the best mum on the planet. The best dad too. You’ve taught me not to settle for less than what I want in every aspect of my life. More than that, you’ve taught me that what we want doesn’t get handed to us … we have to work for it. I’m going to work for it, Mum. For him.”
Mum offered me an affectionate smile. “Proud of you, kid.”
“Proud of you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
CALLAN
“Ithink you’re more nervous than I am.” I tugged on Beth’s hand as we approached her family’s house on Dublin Street.
Beth huffed. “I’m not. I … my family can be a lot, and I don’t know who’s all going to be here today. Don’t … don’t let them chase you off, okay?”
Guilt shifted through me. I hadn’t exactly been sunshine and roses to be around the last few days, and I hated the insecurity in my girlfriend’s voice. Gavin had really fucked with my head, on top of Braden’s warning to keep him out of Beth’s life. I despised that I was associated with him. That there was even a possibility of him contaminating Beth’s life.
“Not going to happen,” I promised her.
“I feel good about it. I haven’t had a Sunday roast in ages,” Baird announced as he strolled at our side up the hill.
Beth snorted. “You can be relaxed all you want. You’re the handsome goalie come to dinner. Our relationship”—she gestured to me—“however, will be under inspection by all.”
“You think I’m handsome.” He winked at her.
“Cool it,” I warned.
“So possessive.” Baird clasped a hand to his chest, dramatically. “I’m affronted you’d even think I’d do more than casually flirt with Beth.”
“How about not flirting with my girlfriend at all?”
My mate considered that. “Sorry. She’s gorgeous. It’s in my nature to flirt with attractive women.”
“Aye? It’s in my nature to smack you in retaliation. See how handsome you are with your right eye swollen fucking shut.”
“Is it just me, or does he mean that?” Baird whispered in mock fear.
“I’m going to kill him before we even get inside,” I muttered.
Beth laughed under her breath as we walked up the steps to the front door.
Baird leaned into Beth. “Will your cousin Maia be here by any chance?”
“She’s engaged. Off-limits.”
“Not until there’s a wedding ring on her finger.”
“You saw her once at a club,” Beth huffed, but a smile teased her lips as she let us into the house. “Are you really that shallow, Baird? I don’t think so.”
“It wasn’t just because she was, like, the most stunning bird I’ve ever seen in my life?—”
“Please don’t call womenbirds,” Beth begged with a groan.
“—there was something about her. I can’t put my finger on it.”
My girlfriend rolled her eyes. “Aye, it’s called wanting to shag someone.”
