a response as she pushed by him to reach for Henrik. Completely lost, he allowed himself to be tugged down for her embrace, a kiss landing on his cheek before he could blink. In the next second he was free, and she was backing up to scan him. “You’re a big one.”
“Uhh...” He was primed for every social situation possible, yet he had no idea how to respond to this.
“Mom,” Jacqui admonished, sounding exactly like the woman she was scolding.
“What? He is.” Her mother beamed at him. “I’m Mary. Jacqui’s mom. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you.”
“This is Henrik Grenick, Mom,” Aiden added, still gloating from his spot behind his parents. “The Glaciers’ defenseman.”
Her eyes narrowed and she did another quick scan of Henrik. “That explains your size. Well, come in. Wayne, get his coat. Aiden, get him something to drink. Where are your manners? I swear I didn’t raise a bunch of hooligans.”
Jacqui laughed as both men jumped to do Mary’s bidding. Henrik handed his jacket off to her dad, enjoying the glimpse of where Jacqui got her strength from. Her mother obviously hadn’t let the men overpower her, even though she was outnumbered. And Jacqui grew up learning from her.
“What can I get you to drink?” Aiden asked.
“Water’s good.”
Aiden ducked around the corner just as the door opened behind them. Henrik stepped to the side before he was plowed over by the two guys entering. He did a double take at the identical twins, seeing younger versions of their father’s face.
They both stopped, door still open to stare at Henrik. Apparently Jacqui had only shared information about him with Aiden if the stunned looks were anything to go by. Another man pushed in behind them before anyone could speak.
“Why are you two standing in the doorway?” The man shoved at the closest twin, knocking him into the other one. “Move.”
The twins stumbled into the room as a little bolt of dark hair and squeals darted through the doorway. “Nana!” She launched herself at the older woman, who caught her with an ease that belied her age.
“Hey, sweetie.” Mary planted a sloppy kiss on the little girl’s cheek before she squirmed away to repeat the process with the twins. Colin and Finn, based on her excited calls. She made a quick stop to include Grandpa and Jacqui before she spun around, scanning the room. “Where’s Aiden?” She turned an accusing glare at the man Henrik assumed was her father and Jacqui’s oldest brother, Dan. “You said he’d be here.”
“In here, pumpkin,” Aiden called from the other room.
Her smile beamed then she was off, following his voice. She dashed around the corner, another excited squeal following a moment later. A round of chuckles took up the lingering silence.
Henrik caught Jacqui’s wide grin then turned to the rest of her family. His stomach dropped, the hair raising on the back of his neck when he found everyone staring at him with varying looks of confusion, awe and suspicion. Damn. Was there a reason why Jacqui hadn’t told them about who he was? Had she thought he’d bail, or was it something else?
The door was still open, a petite blonde standing in it, a baby nestled to her chest. The little girl’s mother? With luck, she was the last family member he’d have to meet tonight.
“Jacqui pulled a fast one on us,” her father said.
“I did not,” she insisted, grabbing Henrik’s hand. “I told you I’d invited a date.”
“A date?” one of the twins said, gaping. “He is not a date.”
“Fine,” Jacqui huffed, adding a sugared sweetness to her voice. “My boyfriend. Better?”
Henrik’s heart expanded with his puffed chest at her declaration. He squeezed her hand, grinning at her. Yeah. He was her boyfriend. He’d never been prouder to be called that.
“What?” Dan exclaimed. “No.” He shook his head. “That is not better.”
“Daniel.” The sharp reprimand from their mother had all the men snapping their shoulders back. Mary bustled in front of them, reaching for the baby. “Give me the little one. All of you get in the house. You’re letting the heat out. And find your manners.” She took the baby from the woman’s arms and spun around to glare at her sons. “Hooligans, all of you. I know I raised you better.”
It was amusing to see the three grown men hang their heads, a mutual “Yes, Mom” following. They shifted until the door was closed behind them, shutting out the air and making the room a little claustrophobic for Henrik. How