When I’m in the kitchen, I pick up a banana from the fruit bowl then proceed to the fridge. Opening the door, I realize that Asher doesn’t have much, but luckily, there are a few juice options. The intercom sounds, which means someone from Jolly Joe’s is here with Asher’s order. Since Asher is probably getting dressed, I walk to the doorbell screen in the kitchen, and I buzz them in so they can get through the gate at the bottom of the driveway.
I need something to chew on, and I peel the banana before taking a big chomp and debate if I should have a bowl of cereal but remember that there is food arriving. Walking to the front door, I pause before I turn the handle when I realize that I’m only in Asher’s shirt, and I growl tomyself. But it goes down to my knees and I’m short on time, so that’s the best that I can do.
Opening the door, I quickly regret that decision. I’m familiar with the guy with a cocky grin who is in front of me holding a small, blue-and-silver wrapped present. I’ve just never met him. Tall, a wave of dark hair, similar eyes to the man upstairs though younger.
“Oh, hey there, baby mama.”
“Shaw,” I say because I’m confused as to why Asher’s brother is here. He has his own career, and it isn’t in Illinois unless he is on the ice on the opposing team. Asher didn’t mention him visiting, either.
He walks right past me. “Tis the holidays, so I thought I would stop on by. Here.” His arm darts out to hand me the present.
Pushing the front door, it gingerly closes behind me as I follow Shaw farther into the house, and he looks around, soaking in the setting. “Nice house.”
“Oh, I guess you haven’t been here since Asher only started this season with the Spinners.”
Shaw turns to me with a smile. “Yep. Where is my brother?”
“Here.” The sharp tone takes me off guard, and judging by Shaw, he too is experiencing the same. We both look to see Asher slowly walking down the stairs, and he is dressed in dark jeans and a gray sweater, but his hair is still slicked wet. “What a surprise.” There is a lack of joy with that sentence.
“Hey, Brother, didn’t Mom and Dad tell you that I came to Illinois to visit them since my next game is in Detroit? Then I thought, oh cool, we can drive on out to see my favorite brother.”
The dynamic between them feels odd, and maybe it’sbecause of the age difference or the fact they are on different teams. It could be the reversal of power. Asher is a coach and Shaw still a young player. But right now? Shaw is in the position to succeed at his mission to annoy his brother. A level up from the normal sibling rivalry.
Stepping forward, I want to play mediator because it feels like it might be needed. “Look. He brought a present.” I paste on a crooked smile and hold it up, while I give a little shake, only for it to make noises as if it’s a rattle.
Shaw glances back at me and grins. “Yeah, so the ornament I got kind of broke on the plane, but it’s the thought that counts, amiright?”
Asher takes the last step and joins us on the floor. “Gracie, Shaw. Shaw, Gracie,” he preambles.
I offer Shaw a polite smile.
“So you’re the one making me an uncle.” Asher swats the back of his head, and I have to stifle a laugh because they are certainly brothers. “Hey, don’t be an ass or I’ll tell Mom when they come in.” He is totally joking. “They are just grabbing some things from the trunk of the car.”
“Nobody in my family decided to text me that you would be early or that you were joining them on their festive ride?” Asher isn’t impressed.
“We were too busy with the road trip playlist. This time of year the MaccabeatsCandlelightsong just low key slaps. It’s a tune.”
I roll my lips in to lock in my laugh. This guy is a character and even Asher manages to soften.
But then reality hits me…
Shit, the entire family areallhere.
“Okay, totally my cue to go upstairs and change.” I’m faster than lightning to escape them. I am not going to stay in Asher’s shirt when his parents arrive. Upstairs, Ihurry and do my hair and some basic makeup. I drop the world’s longest F-bomb when I realize that Asher’s eagerness for me to move things in and the fact that I haven’t, means I’m down to two options. Cozy long sweater and leggings it is.
Ten minutes later, I’m back downstairs with the sound of voices in the living room. Heading there, lines form on my forehead when I see a fresh poinsettia on the hallway table.
In the living room, Asher’s parents instantly beam a smile, and Asher walks to me to relieve me when his arm side-hugs me, calming my nerves that I only now realize that I have.
“There is a poinsettia in the hallway,” I mutter to him.
But his mom, Ruby, heard. “My son had the same reaction about the plant.” She’s completely confused. “I just thought it would give a little cheer and brighten the place up.”
“Well, it can certainty brighten a place.” Asher’s comment makes me chuckle inside. It will be a memory for a lifetime.
He guides me further into the living room, and I don’t even get a chance before his mom pulls me into a bear hug that I wasn’t expecting. “Look at you with a glow. How are you feeling?”
Pulling away, internally, I rewire to the situation. Casual but peculiar, and crucial for getting to know one another in non-whispering format. “Fine.”
