Chapter 22 #2
“Very funny. I was not a scrawny kid,” Cole insisted as he scooped out another huge helping of homemade potato salad. I’d never seen four guys eat so much in my life.
I could only imagine how much money had been spent on groceries when they’d been growing up.
Ford snorted. “Mom. You need to show Chelsea the picture with the hockey gear on when he was ten. The jersey was a dress.”
“No, Mom. You do not.” Cole snarled at his brother and of course Ford laughed.
“Cole was the runt of the litter,” Samantha added, her eyes widening as soon as the words slipped from her mouth. “It’s just a term.”
A sudden hush swept over their lively conversation, the only sound utensils clanging against plates.
“We really did try and teach our kids not to be so flippant about their heritage,” Patrick finally said.
“When they were kids, we were worried that one misstep, one slipup and we’d face scrutiny and anger from the townspeople.
We were all forced to keep a secret and for some, that alone destroyed their lives.
After a while, we weren’t happy any longer. We were suffering in silence.”
Maggie nodded. “The kids were just kids. The boys wanted to play hockey with their friends. Samantha wanted to have sleepovers. So very slowly, we stopped being anxious if people began to find out.”
“It was difficult, so damn difficult at first being in such a small town, but we managed.” Patrick reached over, taking his wife’s hand into his.
“Once the folks in town finally realized and accepted half their neighbors were shifters, they relaxed and that was long before the reveal. We never wanted our children to feel ostracized. They are all brilliant, talented individuals who deserve every chance life has to offer. Even if they can be difficult to deal with.” Maggie’s glare shifted from Ford to Beck to Cole, her evil eye rivaling any mother depicted on television.
“You have an amazing family,” I offered. “And while Cole is a little bit grumpy and usually a know-it-all, he’s not bad for a shifter.”
“Oh!” Beck exclaimed. “She’s got your number, brother.”
“I told you she was too smart for him,” Samantha added.
“I heard your brother is a hockey player.” Georgia was elbowing Ford to try to keep him quiet. The three brothers were so much alike it was daunting.
And in some crazy way, seeing them together made me happy. Or maybe jealous.
“Yep. Jagger is determined to be considered a great player,” I shared.
“He is a great player. Just a little bit arrogant.”
Hearing Cole made me laugh. “Just like you are.”
Another round of oohs and aahs all the way around the table. I could tell by the many casual yet private looks shared between Maggie and Patrick how much they loved each other and adored their children.
“Jagger is actually a very nice guy.” Samantha barely looked at me.
But I caught the inflection in her voice and gasped. “Do not tell me you’re going out with him.”
The table grew quiet, everyone watching as she took a big bite of her cheeseburger, taking her time chewing and swallowing.
She even dared torment us further by pulling her napkin to her lips, wiping several times.
“He’s really a nice guy. You should have seen how he handled the reporters after you two left in a hurry the other night. ”
“So?” Beck chided. “The question on the table is whether the two of you are dating.”
When a slight blush swept across Samantha’s jaw, all it took was for her to lift gaze toward me for both of us to start laughing.
I couldn’t help myself, tossing my napkin at her as I’d do if we were alone. “You are not.”
“Not yet. In the next week in between games.” She was more sheepish than I’d seen her.
“And the family continues to grow.” Ford smacked his hand on the table.
“Hold on, now,” she corrected. “We haven’t gone on a date yet. And I feel the same way about dating a hockey player as Chelsea does.”
I threw Cole a look before shaking my head. “Just be mindful of his bite.” My comment seemed to break the remaining tensions. For the next several minutes, there was no discussion about shifters, merely a family talking about the week they’d had.
While the others continued eating, I enjoyed the conversation almost as much as the delicious food.
“What’s going on with the data center?” Ford asked.
Patrick’s smile immediately faded. “It’s complicated. The company isn’t being forthcoming, but a lot of people in town are on board with the claim of bringing in new jobs. More money.”
“You don’t believe that’s the truth,” Beck piped in.
The patriarch reached for his glass of wine and by the look on his face, I sensed how concerned he was. “I don’t know yet.”
“I ran into Charlie Watkins. He’s planning on selling the rink to them.” Cole’s voice was filled with sadness.
“The rink?” Beck exclaimed. “That’s crazy.”
“He’s hurting, son. The town isn’t what it used to be.” Patrick rubbed his jaw.
“No more business talk at the table. This is a celebration of our son finally finding the right girl.” I’ll be damned if it wasn’t Maggie’s turn to wink.
“Mom. Chelsea does speak her mind.” Samantha laughed.
“What are you going to tell the press about Chelsea, son?” Patrick asked as he pushed his plate away. Maybe I was wrong, but I thought I caught a slight look of concern along with a definite hint of amusement. “The speculation is a bit wild since the two of you egged on the marriage rumor.”
“That my personal life is none of their business.”
“Just be careful, bro,” Ford offered. “The pros are looking at you. They like stability. Maybe you should get married.”
The comment wasn’t what I expected and it would seem winking was a family trait since he offered me one after chiding his brother.
“How is your family taking the news of an impending wedding?” I could tell Georgia was teasing and also that other than Samantha and Cole, the rest of the family didn’t know how estranged I was from them.
“I don’t talk to my dad much and my mom is too busy with her charity work to notice.”
Cole squeezed my leg under the table. I allowed a few seconds of self-pity before tossing it aside.
“That’s too bad, honey,” Maggie said. “I couldn’t imagine not being close with my beautiful family. Even if my sons are terrible about calling their mother even on Mother’s Day.” I could tell she was trying to provide me with an offroad.
“Mom,” Beck groaned.
“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. You can make it up to me by cleaning the kitchen. Except for Cole. He’s going to show our guest around.”
I could easily tell her word was gospel.
Samantha lifted her eyebrows as if asking me if it was okay to go out on a date with Jagger. It was funny. Before tonight, I would have warned her to stay away from him, but I had a feeling they’d be good for each other.
Even if future family dinners would be very strange.
What was I saying? This wasn’t my family.
Maybe a tiny part of me was jealous, but seeing the way they were together, the closeness and the banter were not only comforting, but provided me an insight into myself and my wants.
Including a family. I would never have said that before, not even with how close I’d become with Cole.
He led me away from the kitchen, the lively conversations continuing even as we walked away.
“Your family is amazing,” I told him.
“They really are. We take a lot for granted, but they sacrificed so much to make us happy.”
“In turn, you gave them happiness. All of you.”
“And gray hairs.” At least Cole was laughing. I’d seen just how upset he’d been about the sale of the rink.
“Well, that goes without saying.”
He pushed me against the living room wall. “I’ve been dying to get you alone.”
“Hey, buster. We are in your family home.”
With his brow furrowing, he nodded and took a step away. “You’re right. Let’s go somewhere more private.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere exciting.”
Every dark look on his face created a wild longing and as he grabbed my hand, a tiny part of my brain wondered about the future.