“How about you guys go play with the toys Grandma and Grandpa got you?” Josie suggested. Yells pierced my ears as the three let me go and ran away to the other side of the room, where said toys were located.
I straightened up, brushing the knees of my slacks, just in time for Josie to reach out and pull me into a hug. “Hey, Jo.”
“Aren’t you dressed nice.” She looked me up and down, fixing the collar of my button-down.
“Apparently, I’m the only one who got the memo to dress up.” I shot everyone a look. Not one of them were dressed to impress. Instead, the guys were in jeans, and the girls were in summery dresses. Nothing close to as fancy as what I was wearing.
“You still look handsome.”
Josie let me go. I was passed from her to Wyatt, Lydia, and Landon before Tasha stepped up. Her blonde hair was shorter than when I last saw her, now almost to her shoulders, but it suited her. Her face had a glow to it that reminded me of a certain secret I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone.
“How’s my girl doing?” I asked, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
“She’s not your girl,” Trevor said beside me.
Tasha ignored her husband and offered me a wide smile. “I’m doing good. Sorry we weren’t here with the others a few weeks ago.”
I waved her off. “Don’t be. It's better you’re here now and get to actually see a game.”
“You’re the only football player I want to see anyway.” Tasha’s gray eyes sparkled.
“Knew you were my favorite,” I fake whispered to her, a chorus of protests came from behind me. Chuckling, I let her go as Bryton and Mila came over.
“How have you been, Maty?” Bryton asked, a pat to my shoulder.
“I’ve been good. How about you two?” I pulled Mila into a side hug, giving an extra squeeze. I made sure to keep my expression neutral. The two of them had gotten enoughsympathetic looks with the whole adoption thing, and I wasn’t about to add to it.
“We’ve been well. Happy to come and see you play.” Mila flashed me a grin, but there was a lingering sadness in her eyes that tugged at my chest.
“You get to see my nice ass in my uniform.” I winked at her. “It’s a lot more perky, thanks to a Pilates class I took.”
That got me a laugh. “Youtook a Pilates class?” Mila pulled back and looked at me like I was joking.
“I did. I didn’t expect it to be so damn hard. I almost couldn’t walk the next day.”
“Dude.” Bryton shook his head at me. I didn’t care if he or the others gave me shit about it. It was enough to chase away the shadows in Mila’s eyes, and that’s all that mattered.
“Have a feel.” I turned and stuck my ass out. I fully expected Mila to balk, but a second later, her hand was squeezing my butt cheek. A hum followed.
“Itishard.”
My smile was wider than ever when I glanced over my shoulder at her. “Told you.”
“Why is my wife touching your ass?” Bryton looked from my body to her hand.
“Want to touch it, too?” I offered. The look he gave me had me holding back a laugh. I stood back up with a shrug. “Your loss.”
“Some days I wonder if you’ve matured at all.”
“Nope.” With another wide grin, I left the two of them and walked farther into the room. It was definitely a conference room. There was one big table to fit all thirteen of us, as well as a smaller one for the kids.
The floor was the same carpet from outside, and the walls were lined with golden accents. A similar chandelier hung from the ceiling. While it was a little weird having dinner in a conference room, it gave us the privacy we all wanted. Noneed to worry about anyone listening or watching us at the restaurant a floor below. Plus, it let the kids run around without disturbing anyone.
After taking in the room, I turned to Steven who had made his way over. “Thanks for coming,” I greeted.
“We wouldn’t miss your first game.” He wasn’t my father, nor the father figure Landon was growing up, but it meant a lot that he was here. Especially when he had a lot to get done before hockey season started next month.
“Did you guys have a good cruise?”
