Page 52

She was right. Meaning not only was I unable to use football as an excuse, I was also plagued with guilt for even thinking of saying no since several of my teammates were heading home.

It’s not that I don’t want to spend Christmas with my family. It’s just always been easier to sneak in and celebrate on a random weekday a couple of weeks before the big man arrives. I’ve never once been photographed heading home on the fifteenth of December. Or even the twentieth. Today, I’ve already had three cameras shoved in my face, and it’s making me anxious.

Thankfully, when I pull into the street I grew up on, it’s as quiet as always. There are no blacked-out cars parked in front of my house. No random people hiding behind the magnolia trees lining the sidewalks. It’s peaceful. Just the way I like it.

It’s after ten p.m. by the time I get settled inside, but still, Mom stays up to talk, unsuccessfully hiding her yawns.

“Do you need help with the cooking tomorrow?” I ask, fishing for information.

“Are you offering?” She quirks a brow in question, the hint of humor lighting up her eyes.

“I am. I wasn’t sure how many people you had to cook for so…” I trail off, hoping she’ll confirm numbers which in turn might help me figure out if Lily will be here without me having to ask. Every year for the past…I don’t know how long, Mom’s talked about having Christmas lunch with Lily and her family. This year, however, she hasn’t said a word. And I’m not sure if it’s the universe playing a cruel joke on me or if things are different this year. Maybe she pulled out knowing I was coming home.

Jesus. Did she pull out knowing I was coming home?

A lump lodges in my chest and it’s not the first time. I’ve been going crazy wondering if I’d ever run into her again, or if I should orchestrate another encounter, and she’s out here canceling plans.

“I’ve got it covered.” Mom interrupts my thoughts, giving me nothing. “Thanks for the offer.” She yawns again, and this time when she tries to hide it, I call it a night.

“You’re welcome.” I fake a smile, forcing it to reach my eyes. “I’m going to head off.”

As always, Mom fusses over me, asking if I need anything before I go to bed, insisting I have a lazy morning since I’m always waking up before dawn. But just like every other time I stay here, which is not as frequent as I’d like, I politely wave her off.

“Thank you. I’m fine. I’m big and ugly enough to look after myself.”

“Darling, there’s not an ugly bone in your body. Just ask Jasmine. She’s been inquiring about you coming home this year after hearing that you attended Hunter and Olivia’s wedding. She’s devastated she stopped talking to Olivia after they had that falling-out in college.”

I stare at Mom deadpan, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Jasmine had a crush on me in high school. A crush she wasn’t at all quiet about. I never once reciprocated her feelings, nor will I. Especially now I have someone else consuming my every thought.

“Okay. Okay.” Mom lifts her hands in defense. “I won’t set you up with her.”

“Set me up? What the hell, Mom?”

“Well, Henley’s happy and⁠—”

“Henley has a boyfriend?” My eyes bulge, and I quickly school my features to hide my surprise, failing miserably.

“Why do you look so shocked?”

“I’m not. I just wasn’t expecting it. Who is he?”

Who is he? The question I should be asking is…why do I care? As long as the lucky man protects her at all costs, I’m happy for her.

“I can’t say,” Mom muses, lightly drumming her fingers on her chin. “At the moment it’s only a suspicion I have.”

“A suspicion?” I raise an eyebrow, biting back a laugh.

“That’s right.”

“Oh, Mom.” I walk forward, pulling her into a tight hug. “You need to get out more.”

“Stop it.” She shoves me away as I chuckle. “I know my daughter. Trust me, when you’re in love, I’ll know it too.”

I shake my head as I turn away, ensuring she doesn’t read something in my expression as an image of Lily works its way into my mind.

Not that I think Mom’s intuition is right. Henley was definitely single when she was flirting with Hunter’s cousin at the wedding last month. And she’s not the type to fall in love that quickly.

But at least I’ll have something fun to tease her about tomorrow.