My mouth is watering just looking at it.
“Cash. I’m glad you could join us.” Coach Barney comes up to the two of us. “And nice to see you outside of the arena, Piper. Well, in a more casual setting.”
“I’m glad I could come,” she tells him.
“Grab something to eat. The turkey is going fast.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I shake his hand before guiding Piper to the buffet line.
“Angie!” Piper gives the woman in front of us a big hug. “I was hoping you’d be here.”
“I was going to text, but I got busy with work this week.”
Piper waves her off. “Don’t worry about it.”
The two of them start chatting away as Troy hands me a plate from the other side of the line. “When we told you to come, I thought you just said yes to get us off your back.”
“I’m a man of my word.” I take a small helping of turkey before piling on the sides.
Piper and Angie lead Troy and me to an empty table in the middle of the room.
“Do you have plans for real Thanksgiving?” Angie asks Piper.
“I’ll be at my mom and dad’s and we’ll watch the game. Now with two guys playing, I’ll have to keep an eye on them.” She winks from her spot next to me.
“I think my dads were talking about having everyone over,” Angie says.
“Any chance for all of them to get together.” Piper rolls her eyes. “Do they not know they don’t have to have an excuse?”
Troy laughs. “We’re men, Piper. We always need one.”
Angie pats Troy on the arm. “Says the guy who is always coming up with a reason to hang out with them.”
“It’s a shame it’s not a home game. My dad would love to finally meet you, Cash,” Piper tells me.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Willy, you look scared shitless. He’s not that bad,” Troy tells him.
“He doesn’t bite,” Piper says.
“Unless you’re dating his daughter,” I mutter, stuffing a forkful of mashed potatoes and turkey into my mouth.
I know Piper is playing this up, but even the thought ofmeeting her family scares me. I’m not the kind of guy you bring home to meet the parents. I never have been.
Parents take one look at the tattoos and permanent scowl on my face and assume I’m going to break their daughter’s heart. It was easier to never put myself in that situation.
Now doing it with Piper? Even if it’s fake?
It has me sweating over the possibility of it.
“We’re going to go make the rounds,” Angie tells us.
Piper waves after her. “We’ll try and meet up later.”
