“When I get back after my next away games, maybe we could set up one of the guest rooms as your studio. You’d need some soundproofing done, right?” I pressed my foot on the accelerator again and slowly got back on the road to head home.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
I snorted. “Positive. They just sit there anyway. Jake mentioned that Grounds and Gears has an open position, too. It’s not a career move, but that could get you started if you wanted a regular job?”
“I’d like that. At least let me pay rent.”
“Don’t be silly.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Sweetheart, you just work on getting back on your feet, okay? We’ll take care of you.”
His lashes fluttered across his cheeks, and the look he gave me was pure sin rolled up in gratitude. My cock hardened, but right now my hunger outweighed my horniness. Once I had the Impala back in the garage and covered, we walked into the house together holding hands. Jake had only just put sandwiches on plates on the table as we entered. He stopped, stared down at our hands, and grinned.
“Aren’t you two gorgeous? Come and eat.”
I kissed Jake as a thank-you and Logan did the same before we took our seats at the table. I loved the easy conversation that started up about a tattoo Jake was sketching for a client, and the way Logan seemed completely interested in hearing everything about it. Together they made me even happier to be home than usual.
Three hours later we arrived at Jake’s dad’s house to a crowd of people. He hadn’t just invited family, but neighbors as well. I noticed a gay couple who lived down the street from him—I was pretty sure their names were West and Shane—and another gay couple I knew as Elsie’s friends—Jaxson, and the deputy mayor, Vane Elwood. There were straight couples, too, but Jake’s dad loved everyone. He made friends with all sorts of people, and it didn’t take him long to drag his friends into what he considered his family. Jake said it was a side effect of losing his wife. Chris North wanted to make sure everyone had someone taking care of them. It helped that he was a doctor, too.
Chris had the firepit going outside in the backyard, a big flame working at heating the small area filled with people. There were plastic seats placed around the bricked patio, and to the left was a large barbeque Chris took pride in having built. Jake’s cousin Liam was cooking some meat on it, and the smell had my stomach grumbling.
The moment Chris saw us, his eyes lit up. He stood beside Liam, probably lecturing him on how to cook the meat, but as soon as his gaze hit us he was off, nearly running toward us with the lopsided gait he’d gotten from a car accident a few years ago. He reminded me of Jake in so many ways, from his wide grin that made you feel safe, to the soft crinkles around his eyes. They had identical noses and jaws. Looking at Chris, I knew exactly what Jake would age into, right down to some silver at his temples—and I wasn’t worried in the slightest.
“Boys!” Chris grabbed Jake by the shoulders and dragged him into a hug, slapping his son on the back before he did the same to me. I laughed, hugging him just as hard. “You’re here, finally. I didn’t think you’d show up.”
“You know us, Chris. We’re here for the food,” I joked.
He boomed out a laugh and knocked me on the shoulder. “That’s my boy. How’s training? You’re playing the Yetis in a couple of days, right?”
“Yeah. It’s the same old crap. Coach is kicking our ass, but we have to be ready.”
“Did Coach kick that Tuccini’s ass? Cross-checking from behind. What an idiot.” He grumbled the last bit before he noticed Logan. He grinned that wide, toothy smile that made people feel secure, and held out his hand. “You must be the friend I keep hearing about. I’m Chris.”
Logan took his hand and shook it politely. “Logan.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Logan. Any friend of Jake and Declan’s is a friend of mine. You’re not a vegan, though, are you?”
Jake chuckled. “Dad!”
“What? I’m making sure. We have plenty of meat to eat and I don’t want it going to waste.”
Jake shook his head and nudged Logan. “Don’t mind him, he doesn’t keep up with the times and doesn’t realize it’s rude to ask about someone being a vegan.”
Chris grunted out a laugh. “Boy, I’m a doctor. I know what living meat-free does to a person’s body. We’re omnivores. We need it.”
“There are a couple of guys on the team who would disagree with you. Big guys. Healthy ones, too, I think,” I fired back, mainly because it was always funny to stir him up on the topic.
The sound of a quiet, happy scream made me wince and lean into Logan. “You’re about to meet Nonna.”
Chris glanced over his shoulder and cringed. “Logan, do you like food?”
“Yes, sir,” he answered.
“Good, because you’re about to be fed until you don’t need to eat for a week.”
As if on cue, Nonna stepped up beside Chris with her hands on her hips. She was what I’d imagined an Italian grandmother was like—short and plump, with a gentle but strong personality that had you wanting to do whatever she asked. Nonna was honestly the most amazing woman, other than Mom, I’d ever met.
She had gray hair curled up and pinned to the back of her head. Her dress was the kind she reliably wore, modest and flowy around her knees, and this one was black with red roses. “The boy is the reason you wanted to skip a family meal?” she asked bluntly as soon as she reached us, pointing at Logan. “This is your friend, yes?”
Jake curled his arm around Logan’s shoulder. “Yes, Nonna, this is Logan.”
