27. Blake
Chapter 27
Blake
Despite my careful planning, Alexis and I pull up to the house at the same time Levi and Alissa do.
We took a different route, made extra stops to get Alexis’ favorite snacks and tea, and even had lunch at a roadside diner. Hell, I pretended to be lost just to avoid the guy, wanting to preserve the peace and lightness Alexis brings to my day. But it seems like some problems must be faced head-on.
Anger flashes in his eyes as he glances my way, though he doesn’t say a word. He merely grabs his bag from the trunk and heads inside. Alissa is at my car before I can say a word, blocking the door so Alexis can’t get out.
“You better watch your back, Taylor, ‘cause that guy is pissed. ” Alissa blows out a breath like she needed to get that off her chest. “Misplaced aggression if you ask me—I think you guys are great for each other. I mean, she’s out of your league, but you make it work.”
This might be the first time Alissa has said anything remotely nice about me. It’s an odd feeling, and I cannot shake the thought that it might be some sort of trap. But the approval from Alexis’s best friend is nice either way.
“Thanks, Lis. I think we’re pretty amazing, too. Not sure why Levi suddenly resents me for doing what he asked of me.”
I run a hand through my hair as I glance at the idyllic mountain cottage that is Alexis’ childhood home. Any minute now I will be shaking hands with her dad, meeting her mom. How is a boyfriend supposed to act in this situation? Is it normal for my hands to be so sweaty? Will they like me, or is Levi in there now spreading lies about me?
“Slow down, hotshot. We asked you to fake date our sister, not actually fall for her. Your little stunt at the stargazing thing didn’t go over well with him.” A loud rapping sounds from the passenger side window as Alexis tries to open the door, but Alissa just flips her off. “Levi thinks you’re using Lex like a puck bunny without her realizing, which is just insane. And very degrading to our sister, I might add. I tried telling him you’re down bad and disgustingly smitten, but he wouldn’t have any of it. I tried everything, but this one’s on you. He’ll be watching you like a hawk.”
Slowly, I start to nod. Levi thinks I’m not serious about Alexis; this I can work with.
“Thanks for the heads-up,” I say. “Now, would you mind unblocking that door so I can go embarrass myself in front of your family?”
Alexis’s childhood home is the very opposite of mine.
A cute cottage in a wooded mountain area, where kids play in the streets without fear and gardens sprawl out in every direction. The house itself, though tiny in comparison, is filled with warmth and plants and photos. It’s the kind of pleasant clutter that makes you feel at home the moment you step inside, like there are actually people living here instead of it being a showroom parading as a house.
“Bet you can’t guess which one is me,” Alexis says as she catches me looking at one of her baby photos on the wall. Well, hers and Alissa’s, as they are rarely not in the same frame.
“Of course I can,” I tell her, and point towards the baby with the same adorable freckle under the eye as she has. “The cutest baby to have ever been born.”
Alexis rolls her eyes, but I know I’m right.
A short, plump woman rushes into the room wearing a simple yellow T-shirt and pants, her long curly blond hair pulled up into a ponytail. I don’t think I have ever seen my own mother wear something so…casual, normal . It’s very clear Alexis grew up in an environment far different than mine, because as soon as the woman spots me I’m engulfed in a warm hug.
It's odd and foreign and strange, but I never want it to end.
“Mom, this is Blake. Blake, meet my mom.”
“Mrs. Moore, it is so nice to finally meet you.” I stumble over the words, not at all how I practiced them in my head, thrown by the hug and the warmth this woman extends to a total stranger.
“Oh please, call me Nora!” she pulls away with a dazzling smile, the same faint dimples on her cheeks that Alexis has. Her arms linger on my biceps as she glances me up and down, and with a wink aimed at Alexis she says, “You picked a handsome one, love.”
I grin at the blush that creeps into Alexis’s cheeks. The sight brings butterflies to my stomach every single time—it’s like crack to me. But then again everything about her is.
Reaching into a tote bag I pull out the box of chocolates I bought this morning. “It’s not much, but I brought this as a little thank you for allowing me to stay in your lovely home this Christmas.”
“Oh love, you shouldn’t have!” Nora gasps as if I’d just handed her a huge envelope of cash, and promptly hugs me again. Something tells me this will be a strange, strange week for me. “Bill! Come meet Lexi’s boyfriend!”
Boyfriend. The term is correct, yet so foreign to me it might as well be a different language. I have never been a boyfriend before. It feels like a title that must be earned; something that comes with a great amount of responsibility. It’s probably not a good sign that I do not know what those responsibilities are.
A man slightly taller and leaner than Nora steps into the room. How these two managed to create the absolute unit that is Levi Moore is beyond me, but I don’t have much time to ponder as Mr. Moore gives my hand a too-firm shake and a clap on the shoulder.
“Blake, is it? Nice to meet you, son. Impressive goal average.”
It seems Alexis has been gossiping about me to her parents. The thought alone gives me a disgustingly fuzzy feeling. “Thank you, sir. Though it’s all due to your son’s leadership?—”
Mr. Moore waves a hand to cut me off. “Drop the formalities, boy. You’re among family. Call me Bill.”
Family. I turn the word over in my mind. Much like boyfriend, it feels distant and foreign, but also…comforting. Like I belong here. Like I am accepted for who I am, not how I play. Like they want to hear about me, and get to know me instead of the Brookside Badgers’ Blake Taylor.
I am not sure how to respond, so I’m glad when Bill stalks back towards the kitchen without giving me the chance to say anything. Alexis makes a tiny sound before pulling me down a hallway and into the dining room; this house is bigger than I thought.
“They like you,” she says as she fixes my collar. I’m not ashamed to say I dressed up for this trip, trading my hoodies for button-ups and sweaters. Family is everything to Alexis, and if I want to be with her, I’ll need to win over her parents. “I can tell. They’ve never been this welcoming of a partner my siblings brought home. Aside from Lottie, of course.”
A crease forms between my brows. I figured they were simply kind and welcoming people, warm to everyone they meet. “Really?”
“Oh, yes. First year of college Alissa brought home this guy. Nothing wrong with him, but Dad did not say a word to him the whole week. He left early, and they broke up before he even got home.” Alexis holds my gaze, her fingertips brushing my jaw. “That wouldn’t have been us, but...I’m really glad they like you.”
Despite my best efforts, I can barely get a bite down my throat.
I may have my Sunshine by my side, but her brother sits right across from me, his eyes practically dripping with anger. If we had been anywhere else I would have called him out on his childish behavior, told him to fight me to get it out of his system so we could all move on. But I don’t think that would go over well with Bill and Nora, and I need their approval more than Levi’s.
Alexis gets in a few great kicks under the table, though.
It is a shame that I barely get to eat. When I was young my mother dragged me to a great many boring Michelin restaurants, and Nora’s cooking is better than anything they served. I should treasure this meal, savor every bite. But I’m not sure if I can keep it down.
Bill and Nora, visibly thrilled their kids are home for the holidays, do not let a single beat of silence fall the entire meal. I listen intently as Alissa talks about her classes, upcoming expositions, and projects she’s working on—who knew she was the person responsible for putting a host of crickets in the administrative building?—but it isn’t until the focus shifts to Alexis that I really get into the conversation. I just love hearing her talk. Really, she could be reading an IKEA catalog and I wouldn’t object. Depending on the day, I might even get off on it.
She brushes off their questions, however, and I’m not sure why. There is no mention of her stress, no mention of Hudson or the contest or anything other than classes are fine. I thought she was much, much closer to her parents, but if she’s not even letting them in…it’s not my place.
Nora notices her silence, though, as she doubles down on her efforts to talk with her daughter. “How did the two of you meet? I don’t think I’ve heard the story.”
Alexis’s cheeks turn bright red as she stammers, “Well, uhm…”
“We actually met right before Christmas freshman year,” I say, smiling as Alexis gives my thigh a grateful squeeze under the table. “Levi here sent a puck flying straight into my head, and before I could yell at him about it I heard this laugh–clear and happy and melodic. I followed the sound only to find Alexis sitting in the stands with a book, laughing at me. I don’t think she remembers that day, but I do. It was then that I knew I was a goner. It took her a few years to even notice me, but I would have waited eons more as long as it ended with her hand in mine.”
Alexis moves her hand up my thigh as she curls up into my side. I brush a kiss to the top of her head, ignoring the quizzical look Levi shoots our way. I’d set out to try and convince him of my intentions with Alexis, but honestly, there are much better uses of my time. Like trying to get this boner down before this dinner gets more awkward.
“That’s so romantic!” Nora sighs. “Isn’t it romantic, Bill?”
He mumbles something noncommittal before turning to Levi, clearly still getting used to me being here. It’s fine, though. Winning their trust and approval will take time. The fact that they haven’t kicked me out or flat out ignored me is more than I could have hoped for.
I turn focus back on my food as Levi and his dad talk, making an effort to smile and nod as Levi talks about his classes and experiences as captain of the hockey team, not realizing this sets them up to talk to me until it’s too late.
“Our Alexis tells me you want to go into the NHL like Levi,” Bill says, staring at me with the same intense eyes he passed on to his kids. “Do you think you’re ready for that kind of commitment?”
I sit up straighter. “Very much so, sir. But while I love hockey, I no longer think the NHL is the right path for me.”
Alexis goes still at my side like she hadn’t expected me to pivot from my plan to go pro, despite me telling her so that night under the stars.
I take her hand, lacing her fingers in mine as I dodge Levi’s resentful look. “You see, your daughter is a wonderful teacher, even when she’s not trying to be. Among other things, she’s taught me that I deserve to live for myself. But more importantly, she’s taught me that it’s never too late to change.”
Alexis squeezes my hand, grounding me in the here and now. “I’m not proud of my past, and there are things I’ll be dealing with for a while yet, but the moment I first saw Alexis I knew I had to better myself to someday be deserving of her. I used to tell people that my major was a random pick, fearing they would hold such a nerdy topic against me, but I really enjoy history. I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a teacher myself. A hockey coach, perhaps, if the itch to play sticks around. But I don’t think that pursuing hockey full-time would be fulfilling to me in the long run.”
I have spent a long time with these thoughts, yet the words sound bizarre coming from my lips. Maybe because I spent a few hours perusing the online Thesaurus so I would not look like a complete idiot in front of Alexis’s parents, or because I’m still sifting through what is truly me and what is my mother’s influence. It doesn’t matter, though; it is the truth, and I feel lighter admitting it out loud.
Looking around the table, it is clear that no one saw my answer coming. Levi is staring at me still, but his gaze is more confused than angry now. Nora and Alissa say nothing as they glance at each other, and Alexis’s grip on my hand is so strong I no longer feel my fingers.
After what feels like a lifetime of silence, Bill leans back in his chair, his broad arms crossed over his chest as looks at me. “That sounds like an awfully rational and mature decision. One I admit I did not see coming from someone your age.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, and before I can stop myself my eyes find Alexis and that lovely silver-blue I fell in love with. “But I can’t take too much credit. I have a great influence.”
My heart flutters as she leans in to kiss my cheek. “That makes two of us.”