Tripping For Number 68: A forced proximity grumpy-sunshine hockey romance by Eden Knox

Author:Eden Knox [Knox, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Elliot

My gut had those nerves like before a playoff game. As I walk up the sidewalk with Ronni’s small hand tucked into mine, I try to figure out how this is going to go. I’ve never introduced Sami and Gabriella to anyone I’ve dated before. This is serious, and I want to have all of my girls together. Ronni’s eyes are on me as I walk up to the door, and pause with my hand on the knob, I swear I can feel them on my jaw that I just can’t unclench.

“Mox, you good?” I looked down at her, her expression soft on mine. “If you’re nervous, you don’t need to do this, okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good, it’s just,” I paused, “they mean so much to me, and I try to keep them out of the spotlight. They’re the most important people in my life, and they don’t need the headache that comes from my shenanigans.”

“Your shenanigans have gotten a lot better lately, but I get it. It’s a lot to take on, especially if it’s not their own choice.”

I smiled. I love that she gets me without my explanation. “Well, then let’s get this show on the road. Oh, also, Gabriella’s kind of sensitive about the hair thing…”

“Mox,” she says, placing her hand over my racing heart. “It’s okay. We’ve got this. I promise.”

I take a deep breath, and turn the knob. It’s now or never. With a hand on the small of her back, I usher her into the house. Sami has some kind of pop music playing on the speakers, and I can hear Gabriella talking to her mom in the kitchen.

“Sami, Gabriella, we’re here!” I bellow, then hear Gabriella squeal. We come around the corner and I see Gabriella sitting on a barstool, watching her mom cook dinner on the other side of the kitchen island with a book on one hand. Her Ohio State Hockey sweatshirt looked massive on her, but I couldn’t tell if it was actually Sami’s instead.

“Uncle El!” She reaches out toward me, and I head over to her immediately for a small hug. “I missed you after the game, and I had so much to tell you!”

“Were you planning to yell at me about that tripping penalty? Coach beat you to it, if so.”

“Nope. I wanted to talk to you about that missed shot in the 3rd period because you’re always whiffing it on the blocker side. You’re supposed to work with Robicheaux on that in praccy.”

“Where would I be without you, Gabby Girl. Hey, I want you to meet my friend Ronni. Ronni, this is my niece Gabriella. She likes to think she can out-coach Coach.”

“It’s so nice to meet you finally,” Ronni says as she comes up beside me, holding her hand out to Gabriella. In true Gabriella fashion, she bypassed the handshake and dove for a hug instead.

“I forgot to warn you, she’s a hugger.” Watching two of my favorite girls together made my heart clench.

“Hi

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.