Page 28 of Pretty Little Scars

We all go quiet as we watch, collectively holding our breath, and then Xander sends the puck into the net, and we all erupt into cheers. I high-five Tucker and then take a bite of my food and feel my eyes go wide.

“Okay, who catered this? These are freakinggood.”

Tucker smirks and shoves his hands in his pockets.

“I made the food, Duchess.”

“Duchess?” I hear Ava whisper-yell at Harper, and it makes me grin.

“You’re a good cook, Hotshot.”

“Hotshot?” Harper doesn’t bother to try to whisper back at Ava.

Tucker chuckles, and when the TV switches to a commercial, Greg stands and crosses to me.

“I’m sorry for my manners,” he says as he holds his hand out for me to shake. After just a heartbeat, I take it, and his hand feels warm and firm, but not at all angry or mean. His energy screamswelcome,and I feel my shoulders relax. “I’m the dad around here. I hope my kiddo is treating you well.”

“He’s been great, thanks.” I smile up at Tuck and find him watching me with sober eyes.

“She brought sugar-free dessert for everyone,” Tucker adds.

“You and I are going to be good friends,” Greg says with a wink. “I’m grabbing drinks. Who needs a refill?”

Harper raises her hand. “I can’t get off the couch. I’m a whale.”

“You’re beautiful,” I tell her.

“I’m a beautiful whale,” she counters with a laugh. “Seriously, just roll me around.”

“What can I get you, Darby?” Greg asks me.

“Oh, just some water would be great.”

He nods and then he’s gone, and Tucker motions for me to sit in an empty chair.

Easton’s in a Denver Flurry T-shirt. Ava and Harper are both wearing Xander’s jersey. Even Tucker’s shirt is navy blue, one of the team colors.

“I love the team spirit in here,” I tell them as I finish my fajita. Tucker has some crazy good cooking skills, which onlymakes himmoreattractive. “Do you always get together for games?”

“Not always,” Easton says. “But we try to often. Xander will FaceTime us after the game, and the big weenie likes it when we’re all together. He’s an attention whore.”

I snort at that, and Ava kicks Easton.

“Be nice,” Ava says.

“Iamnice,” Easton replies.

Yeah, I like it here.The whole family calms my nerves, and that only happens when I’m around myownfamily.

“I want dessert,” Harper announces. “I already can’t move, so why not go all the way?”

“I’ll dish it up,” I offer, and then turn to Tucker. “Although, I don’t know where everything is.”

“I’ll help,” he replies and leads me to the kitchen.

Greg has already refilled the drinks, and he’s back in the living room. The game is on again, and they’re cheering for Xander.

“This is fun,” I say quietly as Tucker pulls down plates and hands me a knife. “Do you always host?”