Page 100 of Undeniable
“Not this year,” I said over the buzzing sound of the knife. “Our record is decent but not good enough to qualify. The good news, though”—I shut off the knife—“is I have two scouts very interested in me, according to Coach.”
She wiped her hands on a dish towel, sucking in air. “That’s fantastic news.”
“It doesn’t mean anything at the moment.” I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Nonsense. What teams?”
“Portland and San Antonio. The same two scouts who were at the homecoming game. Coach says there’s a third team interested, but he hasn’t heard much from the Michigan scout.”
“Son.” She had a hand on her chest. “Three teams? You’re sure to get drafted. And you're passing your classes. I take it that Mazzie has been helpful with Historiography?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Gantt gave me an A on my outline, and I’m almost done with my paper, which will be ninety percent of my grade. I should pass all my classes this semester.”
The good news might soften the blow about the baby.
She resumed mashing the potatoes. “Mazzie has been good for you. She’s such a wonderful woman. You did good, son. I’m proud of you.”
All that was a gut punch at the moment. “I love Mazzie so much that at times it doesn’t seem real.”
She propped her hip on the counter. “Love will do that to you. I can’t wait for you to start a family in a few years.”
Almost choking, I resumed cutting the turkey.
“No response on that?” She dumped a pot in the sink. “Lucas, you know that you will never be like your father.”
I set the knife down. “Mom?—”
The doorbell rang.
“They’re early,” she mumbled.
I looked at the time on the microwave. “By five minutes. I’ll get it.” I needed a breather anyway.
Mazzie and Kaylee were laughing at something when I opened the door.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
Mazzie raised a bottle of wine. “I didn’t even ask if your mom drinks.”
“She doesn’t.” I waved them inside. “No worries. She saves the wine gifts to serve when others come over.”
The sisters were on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to physical attributes, but the one thing that made them stand out as siblings was the sound of their laughs. They also had similar tones in their voices.
I grabbed the bottle from Mazzie and pulled her to me. Once she was in my arms, my nerves quieted for the moment.
“Are you ready for this?” she asked, whispering in my ear.
“Now or never.” My pulse sped up.
Kaylee, with her cute side ponytail, breezed in like she had been here many times before. That was another similarity between the sisters. Kaylee took no prisoners, like her big sister.
Mom walked up, apron around her waist, and assessed Kaylee. “I’m Priscilla. I love your turkey T-shirt.”
Kaylee, all businesslike, stuck out her hand. “Kaylee. And it’s nice to meet you.”
While my mom chatted up Kaylee, guiding her deeper into the house, I gave Mazzie a long and slow kiss. She and I had been going in different directions lately.
She broke away. “We need to stop.” Her gaze dropped to the bulge in my jeans.
