The One-Night Scrimmage: A Sports Romance (Oleander Springs Series #4)

“Are we mad at her?” Lexie asks as we pull up to my parents’ house. It’s Wednesday, which makes it Family Game Night. I know, without clarifying, she’s referring to my mom.

“I don’t know,” I admit with a sigh. “I can’t believe she knew Tobias was dating Chrissy and didn’t tell me.” My mom had to leave early on Saturday because she couldn’t get the entire weekend off. After fifteen years of working for the utility company, she only has three weeks of vacation each year, which she carefully schedules for holidays and birthdays. That reminder is enough to steal most of the hot air from my sails. My mom’s the least selfish person I know. “I’m sure she was just trying to avoid confrontation, but a heads up would’ve been nice, so I knew what I was walking into.”

“I say we forgive her on the grounds that it led to you meeting Daddario’s twin.”

I scoff. “I’m not giving her credit for that. I don’t need another complex.” I slip out of my Accord and face my childhood house. Growing up, I was always a little jealous of Lexie’s house, which is twice the size of ours and has a large pool with a water fountain and pizza oven in the backyard, as well as a huge playhouse that was the heart of my envy for the first decade of my life. Their house is sleek, modern, always clean, and constantly updated with the latest decorating and appliance trends. But that jealousy has never dimmed the love I have for our house. Our porch currently boasts several large hanging baskets overflowing with different colors and textures of flowers and plants. Come autumn, Dad will move the flowers to the backyard, and Mom will add mums in varying fall shades. Pumpkins will crowd the steps, and scarecrows and corn stalks will stand proud, waiting for trick-or-treaters who never come down our mile-long driveway. In late November, we’ll wrap garland and brightly colored lights around the banister and put a giant wreath on the front door. I love this house. Love how welcoming it is. And I love the inside even more.