Chapter Twenty-Seven
QUINN
“When are they getting here?” I arrange the last of the dishes on the counter.
“Should be any minute,” Jasper says. “Are you nervous?”
“Honestly? No. Having met the other guys, I know I’ll like them.”
“My only hope is Bode behaves.” Jasper laughs.
“He’ll be fine.”
“It’s weird you already know all of them.”
“Well, I don’tknow themknow them,” I say. “I only know them from playing. And that doesn’t really count.”
A knock sounds on the door. Jasper gives me a quick kiss before heading over and opening it. His face drops immediately.
“You brought Caleb?” Jasper asks, beckoning them in. “I thought it was adults only?”
“It’s my Gran’s night out and our babysitter was sick. I didn’t want to miss tonight, so I figured you wouldn’t mind. He’s already been fed.”
“I wasn’t worrying about him eating Brussels sprouts,” Jasper mutters.
“It’s fine,” I say. “I love babies.”
“See? Quinn likes him,” Bode goads. “Besides, I get a pass because you didn’t tell me you were dating anyone.”
“I told you not to bring that up,” his girlfriend says. “I swear, we can’t take them anywhere.”
I smile at her. “I’m Quinn, and I can tell I’m going to like you a lot.”
She blushes. “I’m Stevie. I’m just going to get this out of the way now and say I love your music. It’s a shame what you’re going through.”
“I appreciate the vote of support.”
“I would have punched that guy,” she says. She tucks a curly lock of brown hair behind her ear.
“You and everyone else.” I laugh. “Can I get you something to drink?”
She holds up a bottle of wine. “I brought some if you want a glass?”
“I’d love one.”
Beer, wine, cocktails. I’m not picky when it comes to breaking the ice with Jasper’s teammates and their partners.
A knock sounds again and Jasper is even more exacerbated when he answers it. “I apparently missed when I said it was kids’ night.”
Marcus and Harper arrive with their toddler, Dax and Chloe hot on their heels.
“The girls have play practice tonight and we didn’t want to leave him with my mom since she had Bunco tonight. We couldn’t find anyone on short notice.”
“As long as he doesn’t bother Zucchini,” Jasper says. “I love your kids, but this is Zucchini’s pad.”
All the guys burst out laughing and I can’t help but join in.
“Hey, don’t give my Twatopotamus shit,” Noah says, coming in before the door can close. “She’s the best.”
