Play Mine (Brooklyn Dawn #3) - Cari Quinn Page 0,113

at me. “Does she know how much trouble Jamie can get into?”

“Aggie helped raise us, and Drooper gave her plenty of reasons to be a hard taskmaster.” She dragged Teagan away from me and enveloped her in a hug. “Finally, we get to meet you. We’ve been begging him to bring you to visit.”

“You have?” Teagan patted her shoulder, but when Jenny didn’t let go, she finally hugged her back in full Teagan mode. “You need to tell me about Drooper.”

“No, she does not.” I tugged Teagan back to stand beside me. “Where’s Mom?”

“Primping. Lord knows why. Though she does have a little bit of a crush on your bassist manslice.”

Oz’s heavy booted foot jangled as he hopped off the bus. “Manslice? Me?” He nodded. “‘Sup, Jenny.”

“Hey, Tree.”

Daisy tucked herself under Oz’s arm. “My manslice, thanks.”

“Aww.” Jenny’s face softened. “Oz, you actually have a nice girl? What happened?”

Oz gave Daisy an absent kiss on the temple. “Crazy, right? Daisy, meet Jenny Dallas. Cooper’s not-so-little sister.”

Daisy held out her hand. “Thanks for having us. We are very excited about the alpacas.”

“And steak,” Oz added.

“Rude.” Daisy rolled her eyes. “Excuse my manslice.”

“That’s not going away anytime soon, is it?” Oz muttered.

Daisy’s quick and easy smile widened. “Nope.”

Jenny laughed. “I missed you crazies. Head over to the house. We’ve got quite the spread of food set-up in the back to hold you over until dinner.”

“Yes!”

Zane and Lindsey followed as everyone got caught up. The small talk and laughter were welcome as a few of the security guys came out to make sure all was well and ended up staying for the ridiculous layout of food my mom put together.

I took Teagan’s hand and headed for the main house.

“Are you sure she’s going to like me?”

“Teag, of course she is.”

She pressed her lips together. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. We’ve talked on the phone a few times.” She clutched my hand with both of hers. “It’s just…”

“Different?”

“Yeah.”

I opened the sliding door leading to the back of the huge one-level house. My mom’s Australian Shepard came racing to the door. I immediately dropped to my knee and took all the love.

“Okay, okay, Sadie.” I pushed her off before I got a tongue down my throat. That was reserved for Teagan.

And because Sadie was shameless, she loved all over Teagan, who was more than happy to fawn all over her.

I stood up as my mom stopped on the threshold to her kitchen.

“Ma.”

“Oh, Cooper. I was trying to get cleaned up before I saw you.” She wiped her hands on the ever-present flour sack towel she tucked in her front pocket.

There were a few more lines around her eyes from her endless hours in the sun, but my mother was still ridiculously stunning. Her dark hair was cut to her shoulders, and her widow’s peak had a streak of gray to it. She crossed to me and crushed me in one of her perfect mom hugs.

The scent of sunshine, wool, and her one indulgence, Dior, washed over me.

She pushed me back and gripped my arms. “God, how did you get bigger?”

I laughed. “We get bored on the bus. There’s a lot of weightlifting.”

“Evidently.” She peered around me. “Hello there.”

I cleared my throat and held my hand out to my girl. “Mom, meet Teagan Daly. Teag, my mom, Melissa.”

“Hi.” Teagan’s grip was bone-shattering.

My mom didn’t give her a second. She immediately went to her, cupping her face. “Oh, you’re so beautiful.” She looked up at me with shiny eyes. “Cooper? She’s gorgeous.”

“I’m aware.”

“Um, thank you.” Teagan laughed and even her eyes were bright pink. She dabbed at the corners. “Sorry, sympathy crier.”

“We’ve heard so much about you.” My mom rubbed my arm. “And now all his people are here. I’m so glad you guys could make it happen.”

“He surprised us with the news today.” Teagan narrowed her eyes. “He’s sneaky like that.”

“Well, I’m just glad to see my boy. The whole band is a bonus.” My mom thumbed away a tear. “Okay, that means you two can help me with the food.”

“Oh, of course.” Teagan immediately brightened and followed my mom into the farmhouse kitchen. It hadn’t changed much in the year since I’d been home. Just a few new things here and there and a fresh coat of paint.

The punch of maple baked beans made my mouth water. “Man, you went all out.”

“Not every day I get such fancy New Yorkers in my home.” She smiled. “Teagan, you can take that salad out. I’ll make