Gage nods. “It’s true my feet are too big. But they do help me to run fast.”
Otis points at him with his fork. “He’s one of the fastest running backs in the NFL.”
“You can be faster, too. I can help you with some drills.”
Otis’s mouth gapes open at Gage’s offer. “You’d help me?”
Gage shrugs. “Why not? You’re Addy’s brother.”
“Huh. Who knew being Addy the dictator’s brother would ever help me?”
I glare at Otis. “I am not a dictator.”
“I have a dictionary I can lend you,” Penelope says and everyone bursts out laughing. Gage throws an arm around my chair and rests his hand on my shoulder while he chuckles.
I want this. Not just today. But every day. I want a man who enjoys spending time with my family. I want my mom and my siblings to be happy. I want them to joke with my boyfriend.
I glance up at Gage from beneath my eyelashes. And this is the man I want to be my boyfriend. I want him to be a part of this family. I want him to laugh and joke with my sisters and brother every day. Tease my mom about her cooking.
So much for this beingmyfamily.
Chapter 21
I like my odds.
Gage
Ikiss Nora’s cheek. “Thank you for a lovely lunch.”
She grins. “Thank you for cooking and cleaning up. You’re a good influence on the kids.”
“Mom,” Addy growls.
Nora blinks at her daughter. “What? It’s the truth.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m quite certain I proved to you how I can change.” I wonder what she means. There’s a story there.
“And yet some things never change.”
“I want you to find love. It’s not a crime for a mother to want her daughter to settle down.”
I like Addy’s mom. She’s not afraid to say what she thinks. And she’s not afraid to call out her kids when they mess up. Not in a mean way. She’s kind and gentle. The way a mother should be.
Addy rolls her eyes. “I’m happy with my life.”
“I tried, Gage.”
I wink at Addy’s mom. “Thanks, wing woman.”
“Don’t you need to leave, Yard-Getter?”
Addy’s been trying to kick me out since I arrived. Doesn’t she realize by now I’m not easy to get rid of? Even with my phone blowing up with messages and calls from my coach and teammates.
I snatch her hand. “Walk me out.”
I don’t give her a chance to fight me. I tug her outside the door. Nora shuts it behind us, but from the corner of my eye, I can see her siblings standing in front of the window, spying on us. I chuckle. Her siblings are a blast.
