preoccupied. I knew I wouldn’t be able to see him much in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. But shit, I guess I’m a little more attached than I thought I was, because he’s got me frantically checking my texts like a schoolgirl.
I’ve got to stop. I’m sure he just doesn’t want any distractions.
I, on the other hand, could really use a big fat distraction right now. I’m walking up the driveway to my parents’ Star Island mansion for the first family dinner since that dreadful day at the hospital.
Even in Miami, the air feels icy tonight, and I’m kicking myself for not feigning illness or finding some other way to get out of this.
But there’s no point in trying to run away. I have to face my dad and explain to him that Matt and I, despite all of his preconceived biases and personal ideas, want to be together.
At least I think we do…if he would ever text me back…
“Ellie.”
To my relief, my mom opens the door before I even knock and smiles wide, opening her arms for a hug.
I fall against her, letting all the weight and pressure and anxiety melt into the one-of-a-kind comfort of Mom. “Is this going to be rough?” I ask, my voice muffled as I’m pressed against her shoulder.
“I sure hope not. I begged your father to take it easy and not be so wickedly nasty about the whole…football-player situation.”
I pull away. “His name is Matt. He’s not just a football player, he’s an incredible man and the father of my baby.”
She rubs my shoulders and glances off to the side, a stressed look in her eyes. “Hon, I know you feel that way. But you have to remember you’re very hormonal and emotional, and you haven’t known him for that long.”
I swallow and frown at her, nerves fraying in my chest. “You’re gonna take his side?”
“Ellie, I’m not taking anyone’s side. There are no sides in this family. I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly and rationally about all of this.”
I shake my head and try to fight the sinking feeling in my gut. “Let’s just get this over with.”
I walk past my mom and swing open the massive, heavy door, hanging my purse on a shiny gold rack in the entryway.
“The boys are waiting in the sitting room.” Mom heads down the wide marble hallway.
My parents’ longtime butler, Carlton, greets me with a smile and offers to take my light jacket. “Something to drink, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I freaking wish,” I mumble.
Carlton smirks a little and gives me a sympathetic look. “I’ll bring you an iced tea.”
“Thank you.” I smile at him and walk toward the sitting room, where I can already faintly hear the booming voices of the Vice men echoing through the halls of the mansion.
I clear my throat and feel my whole body tense up, my heels clicking on the shiny floor and my breathing a little more rapid than it should be.
“Hi, guys. Sorry I’m a little late.”
My brothers say hi to me and manage to make it through the first thirty seconds of the visit without mentioning something about my quarterback baby daddy.
“Nonsense, Elizabeth.” My dad stands up and gives me a hug, an oddly chipper smile on his face and tone in his voice. “You’re right on time. Did Carlton get you a drink?”
“Yes…it’s coming.” I study him, his positive demeanor raising a thousand questions in my brain.
“Hi, Ellie Belly.” Clay pats the spot next to him on the leather love seat. “Come sit.”
Carlton hands me a cold glass of tea, and I awkwardly walk past all my brothers and sit slowly, not wanting to be the one to break the colossal and deafening silence.
“So, El…” Jayson flicks his brows and gives me a look. “The new quarterback, huh?”
“Jayson,” Mom says sternly.
Jayson holds his hands up defensively. “What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking. We were all in that hospital room. What are we gonna do, not talk about it?”
“That’s precisely what we should do,” my dad asserts, sipping a dry martini.
“No, it isn’t,” I say, my voice sounding like a timid little mouse compared to the powerful Vice men.
But suddenly, every set of eyes in the room is staring at me.
“Ignoring it won’t change anything.” My voice thickens with a little more confidence and volume as I scoot forward on the couch and straighten my back. “Now you all know. You know that Matt McKenzie, the Riders quarterback, is the father