Page 15 of The Game

“I’ve been calling for the last hour. I figure there must be some girl if you’re ignoring me.”

Thank God. Adrenaline rushes out of my body, leaving me weak. “I was having dinner with several guys from the team.”

“You should be dating. Not spending all your time with a bunch of guys. How are we getting any more grandchildren?”

“I don’t know.” I hit the key fob and open the door of my Jeep.

“Do you need your father to explain the birds and the bees to you again, so you understand how procreation happens?”

“No. I don’t,” I grind out as I slip onto the driver’s seat. Why suddenly does everyone have their heads up my ass about women? My personal life has not been front and center of every conversation since high school.

“Fine, but – “

“I’m good, Mom. Thank you.” I hit my head on the steering wheel and slam the door shut.

“Anyway, the reason I’m calling is that you never RSVP’d for Heather’s wedding next Friday.”

“Can’t go.”

“Yes, you can. The game is in town, so you can’t use that as an excuse. Your Aunt Eva and Heather specifically picked a date with your schedule in mind.”

Fuck. I love my Aunt Eva and her daughter but dressing up and being fawned over by a bunch of people is not my idea of a good time.

Most people probably wouldn’t believe it, because I’m the guy that loves the limelight of professional sports. However, once the helmet is off, I like my privacy.

“Isn’t Veronica and Joselyn going enough?”

“No, that isn’t enough. At least Heather didn’t make you a part of the wedding party like your sister and niece. The least you could do is show up.”

I shove the key in the ignition and twist it. The engine hums to life. “I’ll send a gift. Where’re they registered?”

“You. Are. Not. Sending. Only. A. Gift.” Her irritation is evident in the space between each word. In my family, my mother rules the roost. My dad likes to pretend he’s running the operation, but everyone knows the score. “Fine. I’ll go. Put me down for one.”

“You’re not bringing a date?” The disappointment is clear enough over the phone, I can see her shoulders slumping.

“No. I’m not bringing a date. I’ll show up at the wedding, give them their gift, and leave. If Veronica wants to stay late, I’ll bring Joselyn home.” Surely, this is enough to please her.

“If that’s what you want. I’ll sit you next to Nellie’s daughter, Tiana. She’s been dying to see you again.”

“No.” Oh, hell no. Tiana is a complete loon. The last family event I went to my mom had the brilliant idea to invite her high school best friend Nellie and her daughter.

The image of Tiana’s bleach blonde hair, spray-on tan, oversized fake boobs, and a slightly off-kilter smile flashes through my mind. I had to block her on social media three different times. Each time, she’d open a new account under a phony name. It took months to get her to stop stalking me.

“Well, if you aren’t interested in her. I have another friend – “

“Mom, I’m seeing someone.” The words are out of my mouth before I can take them back. I don’t want to take a date, but I sure the fuck don’t want to be set up with what my mom considers an appropriate mate.

This is fucking stupid. I bet no one is envisioning this scenario when they think of Gunner Sinclair.

“That’s perfect, dear. I’m sure we’ll love her.”

Good Lord, she thinks the woman is real. I’m actually going to pull this off. “I’m not sure if she can come to the wedding.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll place Tiana next to you, and Lucia across from you. We need some entertainment.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. My family and friends are such assholes. And, who in the hell is Lucia? I can only imagine she’s as equally messed up as Tiana. “She’ll be there.”

“Thank you, dear. Someday, you’ll appreciate my encouragement.” God, she goes from sounding like a ball-breaker to June Cleaver in a split second. “When do you leave for the game?”

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