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“Yes, I care deeply for her, and I’m okay with your threat. I’d rather die than hurt Calista. Also, you’re going to need to get used to me being in your family because we’re going to be related someday and it will be sooner than you think.”
Darius stares at me with his one good eye. “Promise me you’ll wait one year before you get married.”
“What? No,” I disagree.
Ryder nods. “Yes, I’ll agree to your arbitrary time limit.”
Darius holds out his hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Ryder shakes his hand, and I notice my brother winces.
Men. Everything’s a competition.
Ryder gently prods his eye, checking out the swelling. “Jesus, I forgot how painful having a black eye is.”
“Me too,” Darius agrees.
“Me three,” Murphy chimes in.
“Maybe next time my brother has a question he’ll ask first and swing later.”
* * *
“I still can’t believe the three of them have black eyes,” I say, snickering.
“If it were your wedding, you might not find it as funny,” Evie says, but then she laughs too.
“What do you expect when you marry a hockey player?” Wendy asks.
“You better think about that too,” Evie points out. “You’re heading in that same direction.”
Rory smiles. “I’m just glad my man is so well behaved.”
“Yeah, but only because he missed it all,” I say.
“Oh, for sure. He would’ve jumped in the middle of them all and ended up with a black eye too.”
“Should we take bets if they’ll make it to the church on time?” Wendy asks.
“I took care of that. I asked my dad to make sure they’re not late. I figure if he can control them on the ice, he can handle that small task.”
“They’re all scared of Coach Carling,” Rori says.
“He’s my dad and I’m scared of him too,” Evie jokes. She opens her mouth to say something more but a knock on the hotel room door has her pausing. “Come in,” she shouts. The door slowly opens, revealing Evie’s mom and daughter Tillie.
We all shout out greetings, and Wendy’s is especially exuberant for Tillie.
“Tillie Bean!”
“Auntie, I’m getting too old for you to call me that.”
Wendy shakes her head. “You’re never too old for nicknames.”
Evie holds her arms out. “Hey, sweetie. Come give Mommy a hug.” Tillie skips over, throwing herself onto Evie’s lap.
“Are you ready, honey?” Evie’s mom asks.
Evie nods. “I am. I can’t wait to have this wedding over with and have a stiff drink… of water,” she adds for Tillie’s benefit.
