Page 183 of Tangled with the Tight End

“Mom!” I shout into the kitchen.

“What?”

“Promise you’ll be normal!”

“Of course. I don’t know any of these boys or what they do with that ball. I’m just making double everything so we can feed them.”

“Hear that?” I say to my sister and my dad.

It’s obvious what side of the family tree I dropped from.

Cass and Dad don’t answer from their spot at the window.

“That’s the rookie,” Cass says. “Dante Brown.”

“Cornerback,” Dad says. “Great addition to the team. Is that Treyvon Harris?” He practically fans himself.

“Normalcy!” I shout just before one of the players knocks on the door with a force that says I weigh three hundred pounds and I’m here to eat.

In a very quiet, but firm voice, I give my final pep talk before turning the handle. “They’re just men. Act normal.” I look at my dad and then Cass.

They nod.

I take a breath and open the door.

“Hey, guys! Come on in.”

Declan’s standing back behind Treyvon and Brady.

“Winona!” Treyvon says, bending to hug me. “Thanks so much for hosting us. This beats cold turkey.”

“Save it, Harris,” Marcus says.

The guys all snicker and the three men standing behind Declan start making gobble-gobble noises. Marcus shoots them a warning glance.

I smile, loving that I know the story behind the inside joke.

The guys file in behind Trey, all greeting me with a hug and a shout of my name. Dad and Cass stand off to the side, slack-jawed.

Declan makes his way to me. “Happy Thanksgiving.” He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek.

Our parents’ house isn’t small. It’s an average Tennessee four-bedroom with two bathrooms. With six NFL players in the front room, it feels like a dollhouse.

“Dad,” I say.

“Huh?”

Oh dear. He’s almost in a trance, glancing from player to player. I switch tactics.

“Guys, this is my dad, James Carter. Please introduce yourselves and make yourselves at home. My sister, Cass. Jaxon, you met Cass.”

“Memorable first impression,” he says with a smile. “How are you, Cass?”

She smiles. “Good, Jaxon. Good to see you again.”

“Dad,” I say, stepping up next to Declan. “This is Declan … my boyfriend.”

Dad extends his hand and Declan shakes it. “Nice to meet you, sir. Thanks for having us.”