the extra hands around that want to hold her, and she’s just had enough.”
“I don’t blame her one bit,” I say, snuggling Nicole a little tighter. “I’ll keep them all away from you, sweetheart,” I tell the baby. She just squawks her approval and then leans out of my arms and reaches for Reese.
“Go find a spot to claim in the living room; I’ll be in there shortly. I’m just going to poke my head into the kitchen, first,” I tell Tucker, kissing his cheek before I turn for the kitchen.
“Don’t worry, no one will bite,” I hear Reese tell Tucker as she heads back into the living room herself.
“I’m here,” I say over the noise of the busy kitchen. My mom, aunts, and two grandmothers are all in here—the grandmothers at the table, where they’re working on the pies for later.
“Oh, good! I’m glad that you finally graced us with your presence. Where is that man of yours that has been monopolizing all your time lately?” Mom asks.
“In the living room with everyone else,” I tell her, accepting the cheek kiss she offers since her hands are covered in the dough for the rolls.
“I guess that’s acceptable,” she huffs, rolling the dough around in a circle before punching it down.
“How’s work going?” my nana asks from her spot at the table.
“Keeping me busy, but good. How’s life at the nursing home?”
“Oh, you know how it is, our own little drama-filled life.” She laughs. Some of the stories she’s told us of the antics some of the residents pull are downright hilarious. They make teenagers look mild with some of the sneaking around they do.
“I’m glad to hear that nothing’s changed. What would keep you entertained if it wasn’t for the shenanigans everyone pulls over there.” I walk over and give both of my grandmothers a hug and kiss on their cheeks.
“Good to see you, child,” Nana says, patting my cheek. “You need to bring that hunky man of yours over to visit me. I’ve got to talk to him, see if he earns the Nana seal of approval,” she says, looking around me and into the living room. I look over my shoulder, my eyes immediately finding Tucker’s. The edge of his lips tugs up when our eyes meet, and my heart does a little skip in my chest. He’s talking with my dad and cousin-in-law. I can’t hear what exactly they’re talking about, but it must be interesting, the way they’re all using their hands to help them discuss the topic at hand.
“I’ll see what I can do to remedy that,” I tell her. “Our schedules don’t always line up, but I’ll make it a priority. He’s a good one, I promise,” I tell her, bringing my attention back to the table.
“He’d better be, or that daddy of yours won’t take too kindly to him breaking your heart.”
“I’m a big girl, Nana. If my heart is broken, I can mend it without Dad going all caveman overprotective on a guy.”
She hums, but I know that just means she’s dropping the subject before it gets out of hand.
I visit awhile longer with the women in my family. Thankfully, they’ve already handled all the prepping of the food, so I’m not needed in the kitchen. I wander out and find Tucker on the couch, the guys all visit as they watch the football game. Austin sits on the floor as Nicole climbs all over him, as if he’s her personal jungle gym.
“Hey, Austin,” I greet him as I take a seat on the floor in front of Tucker and next to Austin.
“How’s it going?” he asks, Nicole crawling over him to get to me.
“Can’t complain. How about you?”
“Same. Nice to get away for a few days, even with it still being early in the season, a few days away from the daily grind is always appreciated.”
“How’s it looking this year?” I ask, referring to his season.
“I think we’ve got potential, for sure. A few newer guys are still learning their place on the team and that chemistry that comes from playing together for years.”
“Makes sense; I’m sure you’ll get there. How much longer do you think you’ll play?” I ask.
“That’s the million-dollar question, if I’ve ever been asked one.” He chuckles. “Honestly, I hope for another seven, maybe eight seasons, ten if I’m fortunate.”
“Oh, wow. I didn’t think that guys played for that long professionally.”
“It just really depends on how old they were when they started in the league and