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There’s a shuffle of sounds from all over the house, and then, “Nova’s home!” a feminine voice shouts from above.
Pattering feet echo from around the corner as a kid no more than thirteen or fourteen dressed in baggy sweatpants and a baseball team hoodie barrels toward Nova, but comes to a screeching halt when he sees me.
“Oh my gosh, you’re Devin Hawthorne.”
“That would be me.” I smile.
Nova laughs. “C’mon, Crew. I don’t even get a hello before I get passed over for the professional athlete.”
He grins, his cheeks flushing and lets Nova tug him into her arms. She kisses the top of his head, but he shies away with an embarrassed laugh.
A girl who is the spitting image of Nova’s mom with long ginger-brown hair skips down the stairs to our left, swinging around the banister. She pauses when she sees me, her eyes drifting back and forth between us before opening her arms and stepping into Nova.
“Hey, sis.” Nova squeezes her tight. Tucked into Cora’s arms, she’s a couple inches shorter.
“It’s fall, and somehow you’re tanner than when you left this summer.”
“The plus side of Florida life.” She gestures to me at her side. “Devin, this is my little sister, Cora. And bite your tongue with the height difference jokes.”
Why does she have to take away my fun?
Cora’s eyebrow arches as she folds her arms. “So, you’re the guy who convinced my sister to ditch the douchebag.”
“Cora,” Nova hisses.
She chuckles. “What? Just clarifying.”
“Where’s my baby girl?” Brett calls, entering the entryway with a sweeping smile, until his eyes land on me. “Oh, I didn’t expect company tonight.” His dark brows furrow as he looks between Nova and me.
“Dad, this is—”
“Devin,” Brett inserts, offering me his hand. “Yes, I know. Thanks to Crew here, the whole family has become Miami Sharks fans. You play one hell of a game.” He throws his arm around his youngest son’s neck.
I fumble with a thank you, because thanking people for telling me how good I play isn’t something I’m good at. I play one of America’s favorite pastimes for a living. I should be thanking everyone for the opportunity to allow me to do that. For watching.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you guys the heads up that Devin was dropping by.”
“Yeah, how in the heck did this happen?Again.” Cora waves a finger between Nova and me.
“Yeah, what happened to Benito?” Crew pokes at Nova’s side, making Cora giggle and Brett choke back a laugh.
“Oh my gosh. Shut it, you two.” Nova’s cheeks darken as she mouths, “Sorry.”
Giving her a subtle shake of my head, I touch Nova’s shoulder, trying to alleviate her embarrassment, even though her siblings asking about the new guy in her life stings. “Nova and I wound up on the same flight, so we shared a ride. I just came in to meet Crew. I’m not staying long.”
A shadow draws Nova’s attention to the top of the stairs. “Sorry, I just got out of the show—” Ruby Pratt stops at the upstairs railing, a towel on her head and a robe wrapped around her. “Oh.” She shrinks a few steps back, an accusing glare landing on Brett.
“Shoot. I’m sorry, Roo. I forgot you were in the shower.” Brett looks at Nova. “Baby, why don’t you go say hi to your mom, and I’ll take Devin and Crew into the living room.”
“No, it’s fine,” Mrs. Pratt speaks up. “It’s fine.” She repeats as though boosting her confidence while descending the stairs. She doesn’t need to pep-talk herself, even with a towel on her head and a faded terry cloth robe, the woman is beautiful. Like her daughters.
“Devin.” My name is a warm blanket. “You and Willa have the same eyes. This is an introduction far past due.” She pulls me into a brief hug.
“I agree.” My gaze slips sideways to catch Nova chewing on her bottom lip.
“Aren’t Willa, Archer, and the kids flying to Texas for the holiday? Are you here to see your mother?”
“Wait. They’re not in town?” Nova asks.
