Page 93 of Make the Play

“Fine.” I rest my hand on her bare belly. “We’ll sleep.” It’s not long before her body goes completely lax, and I know she’s fallen asleep. It takes me a lot longer because later tonight, I’m introducing the woman I’ve fallen in love with to my whole family. It's not that I’ve said those exact words, but I feel them. I get to introduce her to everyone who means something to me, and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Corie grips my hand as we make our way downstairs. We slept longer than I had planned, and from the sound of it, everyone is here. We clear the bottom step, and I slide my arm around her waist, pressing my lips to her temple. “Ready, Corie girl?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

We step into the kitchen, and all eyes turn to us. “Hey.” I wave at my family. “This is my girlfriend, Corie. You’ve met Mom, Emma, Everly, and my aunt Reagan. This is her daughter, my cousin, Bexley.” Corie will be meeting a ton of people tonight, and I know this will be overwhelming for her.

“It’s good to see you again,” Corie says.

“You, as well,” Aunt Reagan says. She nods toward me. “If you need help with this one, call any of us. We’ll help you keep him in line,” she teases.

Corie laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m going to take her outside and introduce her. Is everyone here?” I ask Mom.

“Yeah, they’re all outside.”

“Can I help with anything?” Corie asks.

“Thank you for offering, but I don’t think my son is ready to let you go just yet.” Mom chuckles. “Go on and meet everyone. There are a lot of us. We don’t expect you to remember all of us in one go.”

“Okay, but let me know. I’m happy to help.”

“Thank you, Corie.” Mom smiles at her.

“Come on.” Moving my hand to the small of her back, I guide her outside. “Gather around!” I call out, and everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at us. “This is my girl, Corie,” I tell them. Everyone waves and mumbles hello, and a rightness settles in my chest. I look at her. “Crash course, baby?” She nods and smiles, and then we start.

“Okay, you remember my uncle Tyler. You met Bexley in the house, their daughter, and that’s Benjamin and Beckett, their twin sons.” I point them out. “Next, we have Mark and Dawn, and their daughters, Daisy and Ruby.”

“Nice to meet you,” Corie tells them, and I keep going.

“Next is Seth and Mara, their sons, Ryder and Jude, and their daughter, Finley.”

“He treating you right?” Uncle Seth asks her.

“He is,” Corie says, smiling up at me.

“Good, let me know if that changes.” Mark smirks.

“Not a chance, old man,” I tease him. “Finally, we have Kent and Delaney, their daughter, Kendrix, and son, Dermott.”

Corie waves, and everyone takes turns greeting her. They all hug her, and by the time she’s been through the entire family, I’m ready to have time with her, all to myself.

“Come on.” With her hand in mine, we walk to the back of the yard and settle in the hammock under the shade tree. Corie looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Your family is amazing, Knox.”

“They are.”

“You’re lucky to have them.”

I know what she’s saying without her saying the words. “How about I share them with you? They love you already, I can tell, and Landry, they might as well be running his fan group,” I tease.

“I’m sure he eats that up.” She chuckles. She’s quiet for several minutes. “Thank you, Knox, for sharing your people with us.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I love her and that if I play my cards right, maybe, just maybe, them being her family, too, can be our new reality. However, it’s my sister’s weekend, so I keep the words to myself.

Soon. I’ll tell her very soon. I don’t think I can keep the words locked down much longer.

ChapterTwenty-Three

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