Page 132 of Playing Mr. Perfect

“I think you did,” Seth says.

I put a hand on Pepper’s back. “Don’t listen to them. They’re just causing trouble.”

“I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of that going around this weekend,” my witty, plump grandmother says, her eyes full of love. “Pepper, honey, I’m Lara, Clay’s grandmother, and this is my husband, Bradshaw.” She touches my grandfather’s arm. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”

She goes in for a hug, and Pepper smiles over her shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about all of you.”

“Don’t believe a word he says,” Victory chimes in, before my grandfather can greet her. “I’m Victory, and I’m so happy you’re here.” She hugs Pepper. “I need someone to help balance the testosterone around here.”

“All right, that’s enough female bonding,” my grandfather says. He hasn’t changed much over the years. His voice is still as gritty as gravel and as warm as a summer’s day. He’s still thick chested, with collar-length hair that’s more snow than sand and a trim beard. “You women are smarter than we are, which makes you dangerous when you team up. Pepper, after months of listening to this guy complain about how you wouldn’t give him the time of day, I finally see why. You’re twice as pretty as he is.”

“That’s saying a lot. Thank you,” she says as he embraces her.

I hug my brother and grandparents and put our bag in the back of the Navigator. “Okay, guys. We need to make a plan before we get there. Huddle up.” I hold my arms out and wait for them to come into the huddle. “We don’t have many chances to surprise Flynn and Sutton, so let’s do this right,” I say in a hushed voice.

“We need to catch them off guard,” Victory says.

“Why are you talking so quietly?” my grandfather asks.

“Why are we in a huddle?” Seth asks.

“I don’t know, but I’m liking it.” Noah’s arm is around Pepper, and he flashes that damn smile at her again. “Stick with me, Pep. We’ll do some surprising of our own.”

“Like hell you will.” I grab the back of Noah’s coat and haul him away from her, making everyone laugh.

Victory sidles up to Pepper and says, “I’d say they’re not usually like this, because Clay never brings women home to meet us, but they’re like this all the time about everything. I wouldn’t blame you if you want to get on a plane.”

“We just came from an event where my big, mischievous family had everyone in the entire town from kids to grandparents wearing sweatshirts with the hashtag teamplay on them. P for Pepper and lay for Clay.”

Seth opens his coat, showing them his sweatshirt, and everyone laughs.

“They had balloons and cookies, too,” Pepper says. “It was wild.”

“Sounds like you’re used to this kind of thing,” Victory says.

“Yes, but that’s not why I’m staying.” Pepper sets a loving gaze on me that gets me all twisted up inside and says, “If I go back alone, they’ll have to change all those sweatshirts to say team lay, and that’s not appropriate for kids.”

Laughter rings out again.

“Guess she’s stuck with you, Clay,” my grandfather says. “How about we get this show on the road so we don’t miss dinner?”

As the others climb into the vehicle, I draw Pepper into my arms and kiss her. “You’re only staying because of the sweatshirts, huh?”

“Well, that and your cute brothers,” she teases, and slides into the vehicle beside Noah, who immediately puts his arm around her.

“You’re killing me, Reckless.”

I breathe in the salty sea air as we climb out of the vehicle and look up at my parents’ sprawling two-story home overlooking the picturesque coastline. I’m met with warm memories of running around with friends, wrestling in the yard with my brothers, and telling stories around late-night bonfires with my family.

“This is gorgeous,” Pepper says. “Is this where you lived when you stopped traveling?”

“Yeah.”

She gazes thoughtfully up at the house. “It must be beautiful inside.”

“It’s all open. There are two staircases and a massive kitchen with an island that seats six and overlooks the great room, which spans the back of the house. You’ll love it. There are huge picture windows looking out at the ocean, and there’s a big deck out back with a fire pit.”

“I might never leave. No wonder you rented such a fancy house.”