Page 84 of For the Win

“Harrison didn’t want to do it,” Everly says.“He didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

Arya shoots me a warm glance.

“I let her down gently,” Ash adds with a grin.

“I hope you’re using condoms.”

We all fall silent and turn to stare at Dad.

“What?”He glares back at us.“You all better use condoms.”

“I thought you wanted grandchildren,” Everly says, lips twitching.

“Just from you.”He points at her.“But Wyatt better marry you first.”

We’re all biting our lips now, trying not to laugh.

“You’re so old-fashioned, Dad,” Everly says, pushing his buttons.“You don’t need to be married to have a baby.”

He grunts.“I’m not old-fashioned.I’m practical.You better get a pre-nup signed too.”

“Oh my God.”Everly closes her eyes.“You did not just say that.”

“Imagine if Daddidn’tlike you, Bellsy,” I joke to him.

Bellsy shakes his head good-naturedly.He’s known Dad for a while, playing for the team, but getting to know him better now he’s dating Everly.It’s a little awkward, dating the daughter of the team owner, but like I said, Dad actually likes him, so it’s been going okay.

Dad never did have much of a filter, but now he just blurts out whatever he’s thinking.

“How about you open your presents, honey,” Mom says to Dad.

“I like presents.”

“Don’t we all,” I agree.

Buying Dad a gift is a challenge.He has everything he wants.“My present is still in the car,” I say.“I’ll get it last.”

We watch Dad happily open gifts from Ash, Noah, Everly, and Wyatt.Then we go look at what Mom bought him—a new potting bench, which has already been built and installed at the side of the house.

While they’re admiring that, I hike out front and get my gift from the vehicle.

“I couldn’t really wrap it,” I explain to the others, as I set it on the potting bench.It’s a clay pot with a plant in it.

“Wow,” Dad says, fingering the unusual flower.“What is this?”

“It’s a bat flower.”The black blossom does look oddly like a bat.“It’s a tropical flower.It’ll get quite tall, which is why it’s in that big pot.”It’s French pottery I thought would look nice with the patio stones.“There are care instructions on the tag.”

“It’s the ugliest flower I’ve ever seen.”Dad grins at me.“Thank you.”

I laugh.I can tell he likes it.

“Where do you want to put it?It needs filtered shade.”I heft the big pot again.

Mom leads the way back to the patio.“Over here would be perfect.The trees give some shade on this side.”

I set it down where she indicates.

Mom refills drinks and sets out bowls of snacks.“If anyone wants to swim, go ahead.The water’s nice and warm.”

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