“Dad…”
“I’m sorry, Lily. I grew up here and I know the stories of the Mancini’s. I don’t like that you’re with them.”
“I understand how you feel, Mr. Westbrook. But the stories you grew up with isn’t what my family is now. We’ve changed a lot. My cousin is the Sheriff of Lake Renegade?—”
“And you? What do you do for the family?”
“I’m a lawyer. I handle all legal issues for Lake Renegade.”
“But you’re still mafia, right?”
“Well, yes. But that doesn’t automatically make us criminals.” Lorenzo frowns. “My family has worked hard to change the way we do things.”
I can see my dad wants to argue with Lorenzo, but the look my mom’s giving him makes him stop.
“Thank you for taking care of our baby. We’ve been trying to get her to move back home for two years now. We’ve even told Paisley and Cora they should move here.” My mom chuckles.
“Would you both like to come with us to Lake Renegade? We’re headed there now.” I say to her parents.
“That’s a great idea. Maybe that will make you feel better about all of this.” I say before my parents can say no.
“Sure. Give me a few minutes to get ready. Are you sure your family won’t mind?” my mom asks.
“Not at all. In fact we’re having a barbecue tonight. It’ll be a lot of fun. Our family does a big barbecue once a month. And I should let you all know that my family is the Cimaruta Motorcycle Club. And I know there’s stories about us too. But like the Mancinis, we’ve changed our ways.” Celestino says to everyone.
I’m not sure if my parents believe Lorenzo and Celestino. But I need them to accept Tristan and because of that, I need them to be okay with his family.
My parents take their own car, so now we have three cars going.
“I don’t think your parents liked me.” Tristan sounds so sad.
“They just need to get to know you. And even if they never do? I don’t care. I choose you.”
It takes us a little over an hour to get to Lake Renegade. The town is beautiful and when we get to the property that the families live on? All I can say is wow.
“There’s a campground in the middle, we can hike and swim. And there’s otters.”
“Otters? Like sea otters?”
“Well we have river otters, since we don’t have salt water. But they’re all adorable. Ours is more of a conservation type set up. The people who stay at the campgrounds are able to see them, but not touch them. But the family can play with them, you just have to sit through a tutorial that teaches you how to be around them.”
“Omg. I can’t wait.” I giggle.
To say that Tristan’s family is big is an understatement. There are so many of them that it’s going to take me a long time to remember all of them. But every one of them gives hugs and makes you feel like you’re already part of the family. My dad isin awe over meeting his favorite hockey player, Declan O’Reilly, of the Chicago Redhawks. He’s married to Giovanna Mancini. And I found out that there are three other players in the family. Not to mention Gianluca Mancini, he’s the third baseman for the Chicago Panthers.
“We have a surprise for Cora.” Tristan whispers to me, just as I hear Cora scream.
“Is that Twisted Bonds?” I gasp as I see Tristan nodding.
“Hey everyone, these monthly barbecues are the best. The only downfall is that I need to hit the gym harder tomorrow.” Jagger Peligue laughs.
“So we hear that there was a birthday a few days ago. Is Cora here?” Presley Peligue says.
“She’s here!” Paisley and I yell as we push Cora towards the stage.
Presley puts his hand out and helps Cora up onto the stage.
“Happy birthday Cora.” He smiles at her as he kisses her cheek.
