Page 5 of The Love Playbook

I shoot Mom a questioning look, to which she nods, a soft smile lifting the corners of her mouth. I’m not yet twenty-one, and I know she’s under no illusions that I’m an angel. She knows I drink at school, but I’ve never so much as sniffed a drop of alcohol in front of her, so this is new to me.

I nod and take the glass he hands me while he pours one for my mom, then himself, checking the time on his wristwatch. “My daughter should be here any minute,” he says with a nervous edge to his tone.

I take a sip, noting the way my mother tenses beside me. Wanting nothing more than to put her at ease, I say, “You know, I get a couple tickets to each home game if you want to come. Just hit me up or tell my mom. You could come together, or if Mom is busy with the kids, you could even come with a buddy or one of my brothers.”

Garry’s eyes brighten. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all. It would be nice to have those seats filled.”

Mom wraps her arm around me and squeezes. “I went to a couple games last year but haven’t been able to make it back. I keep saying I will, but then one of the kids gets sick or I need to play chauffeur or . . .”

I lean down and press a kiss to her head, cutting her off. I know she feels guilty for not attending all my home games, but there’s no need. She’s busy being a mom to my younger siblings and that’s where she needs to be, so I completely get it.

“Well, yeah. I might just take you up on that. And maybe I could find us a sitter, Barb.” He nudges her. “I know how much you’d love to go to another game.”

I note the way he uses the wordus, and I can’t say I mind it. We Collins’ have a large extended family, and we pride ourselves on always being there for each other, but all my aunts and uncles have their own broods with equally busy lives. Help is hard to come by, and though my mom does well for herself as an ER nurse, she can’t afford to hire help all the time. Not that Mom would ever consider it; she prides herself on handling her own business, but the truth is, she could use a lesson in self-care. She needs to treat herself, live a little, and I can’t say I hate Garry encouraging it.

Mom’s cheeks flush at the offer, but I’m more than pleased when she nods and says, “Okay, that would be lovely.”

I lift my wine glass, hiding a smile behind it as I take a sip. I can’t say I hate the prospect of Mom having someone like Garry to lean on while I’m away at school. In fact, it’s straight up heartening. Not to mention I haven’t seen her this effervescent and alive in a long-ass time?at least not since Dad was alive.

Mom stares up at him, beaming with big, round doe eyes, and maybe I’m reading too much into it, or maybe I’m crazy, but I’m pretty sure she’s in love with him.

I wait for the pang that acknowledgment incites, but it’s surprisingly absent. All I feel is gratitude because love looks pretty damn good on her.

When a knock comes from the front of the house, Garry lifts his arm, checking his wristwatch. “That must be my little Bug,” he says, using his nickname for her. “I’ll go walk her in, make sure she doesn’t need help with anything.”

I nod my approval, waiting until he’s gone to turn to my mother.

“Garry’s pretty great, Mom.” Even though this is the second time I’ve met him, I feel the need to say it. The first time we met was brief?a quick lunch off-campus last month when I was still getting used to the notion she had a boyfriend.

“You really think so?” Her eyes brighten, twinkling like a sparkling sea.

“Totally. I can see why you like him.” I pull her in for a hug and squeeze before releasing her. “You look good together.”

“I know it’s been fast, and we’ve only been dating a couple of months, but”?she hesitates, a tentative look in her eyes I don’t often see?“it’s serious,” she finishes, confirming my earlier suspicions.

I nod, acknowledging her confession as I ask, “He’s met the rest of the kids, right?”

“Yeah, many times, actually, and they all love him.” Her smile spreads. “Especially Tucker and Bailey,” she says, referring to the youngest of the brood.

“And what does Garry think about us?” I ask, with a grin. My siblings range in age from nine to sixteen, and I know how wild the youngest two can be.

Mom’s lips twitch. “Well, he went to the Collins’ family reunion last month and had an absolute blast.”

I bark out a laugh, because the Collins’ reunion happens every year in September. It’s a potluck with games and loud music. Between the adults consuming enough beer to drown a whale and the kids hopped up on sugar, it’s usually mass chaos. Almost every time at least one person gets hurt. So, if Garry can endure the reunion and have a good time, then as far as I’m concerned, he’s a keeper.

“Wow.” I scratch a hand over the stubble on my jaw, letting that sink in.

“I know, right?” Mom beams. “I guess he didn’t have a lot of family around growing up and wasn’t close to his parents, so he loves our large, tight-knit family.”

Just the fact he doesn’t have a strong family unit, but loves ours, warms me toward him. I have no idea what a world without my family would look like. Hell, I’d hate to imagine it. Boring isa word that comes to mind, because they’ve been the center of my universe for as long as I can remember. Even football comes second, and I fucking love football. If my family needs me, I drop everything to be there. No questions asked. In fact, the fall football season has been somewhat of a struggle because I can’t run home constantly like I did in the summer. Now that we’re in season, Coach is far more demanding. I barely have enough time to take a shit, let alone visit the brood. Part of me will be relieved when the season ends and I’m available to help out more.

The clacking of heels on the hardwood floor echoes toward us, and I straighten.

Beside me, my mom inhales, fussing with her hair and smoothing a hand over her blouse, before she plucks off a piece of nonexistent lint. I can practically feel the nerves emanating from her at the prospect of meeting Garry’s only child.

I know nothing about her. Only that he sometimes calls her Bug, and we’re about the same age. From what I’ve been told, Garry’s divorce wasn’t amicable, which took a toll on their relationship. Makes me wonder how well my mom will be received by her.

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