Jaci Burton - Holiday Games

“Spoken like a proud father.”

“I know. I can hardly believe it myself. But he’s my kid. He might not have been born mine and he might not have my DNA, but he’s still mine and has been since— Hell, since the first day I met him, I guess. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s accomplished.”

“You’ve done some nudging along the way. There’s no doubt you’ve had some influence on him.”

“Yeah. A lot of don’t-fuck-this-up-like-I-did influence. He knows what not to do. He’s always gotten good grades, and he loves sports. He’s focused. Though he said he wants to bring his girlfriend to be his date for Ty’s wedding.”

Gavin arched a brow. “Nathan has a girlfriend?”

“So he tells me. Some hottie who plays for the basketball team there.”

“You said yes, right?”

“Of course I said yes. Though the poor girl will be subjected to all the Rileys. I’m not sure Nathan knows what he’s dragging her into.”

Gavin shrugged. “If she survives all of us at one time, she’s a keeper.”

Mick laughed. “You’re right about that. Maybe he’s smarter than I think. Trial by fire and all that.”

“Hey, relax, Dad,” Gavin teased. “He’s doing good.”

“I know. He’s got it all together. I keep reminding myself that every day.”

Gavin knew what Mick wasn’t saying. “And he’s not drinking.”

“God, no. Not like I was in college, anyway. He knows I’ll kick his ass from Texas back to Missouri if he does.”

“I think he understands how important this is. And what you went through with your alcoholism and how it almost cost you your shot in the NFL. Like you said, he’s a smart kid.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“So quit worrying and let’s figure out who’s going to kick Philadelphia’s ass on Sunday.”

Mick grinned and they stared at the board for a while. After that, they wandered out to find the others. Mick went back to playing blackjack with Garrett, while Gavin, Eddie, Victor, and Ty hit the poker tables.

Gavin wondered how Liz was doing with the women. Knowing her, she was probably showing them all a great time in Jamaica.

His woman knew how to party. He knew she had it well handled.

Still, she was on his mind, so when he took his next break he grabbed his phone and sent her a text, figuring she likely wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.

I miss you. How’s it going?

Surprisingly, she sent back a reply within a few minutes.

Everyone’s drunk except me. And maybe Tara. And I miss you, too. I’m having fun with the girls, but Jamaica would be a lot more romantic if you were here.

He smiled and sent her another. Yeah, fun here with the guys, but can’t touch them like I can you.

She replied back with. God, I hope not. People will talk.

He laughed and typed off one more text. Have fun. Call me tomorrow. I love you.

I love you, too, Gavin.

“No one told me I’d have to fly home with a hangover today. This is awful.”

Jenna sat on the edge of the sofa, bent over with her hands covering her face.

Liz was curled up on the chair across from her, oh-so-happy not to have partaken in the debauchery of drink last night. She’d suffered many a hangover and she was glad to have escaped it this time.

Alicia came out of the bedroom and leaned against the doorway. “Can we stay another day? Because I feel like I’m going to die.”

Liz fought the urge to laugh. Alicia’s hair kind of resembled Einstein’s at the moment.

“Did you sleep on your face last night?”

Alicia dragged her hair back. “I don’t even remember getting back to the hotel last night.”

Savannah pushed her way past Alicia, and, if possible, looked even worse. She didn’t make eye contact, just stared straight ahead. “I. Need. Coffee.”

“It’s over there.” Liz hooked her thumb toward the cart. “There’s also orange juice, tomato juice, and some pastries.”

“Gag,” Jenna said from her spot on the sofa.

“You should eat something,” Liz said. “And tomato juice will help.”

Jenna pulled a decorative pillow against her stomach. “Please stop mentioning food. Or drink.”

“Hey, at least we had fun last night,” Liz said.

“Did we?” Savannah asked as she walked by with a cup of coffee in hand. “I hope there’s photographic evidence because I don’t recall a thing.” She laid the coffee down on the table and flopped into the chair. “Lord, who made me drink so much?”

Alicia had only made it as far as the sofa where Jenna was lying. She sat and pulled Jenna’s legs on top of her lap. “I’m blaming Jenna for this.”

“Me? How could this be my fault?”

“Good morning, everyone.” Tara entered from the other side looking gorgeous, freshly showered, and obviously without a hangover.

“You bitch,” Jenna said. “How can you look that good after last night?”

Tara poured herself a cup of coffee. “Easy. I only had two drinks. Someone had to help Liz corral you drunkards.”

Alicia looked over at Savannah. “That explains how we got back to the hotel. Thank you both for taking care of us.”

“It was our pleasure. The pictures of all of you are lovely, by the way,” Liz said.

Jenna groaned. “Oh, God. What did I do?”

“You might have propositioned the bartender.”

That shot her up straight on the sofa. “Shut the fuck up, Liz. I did not.”

“You did. You told him you were madly in love with him and wanted him to come to St. Louis with you.”

“Oh, shit. Tyler is going to kill me.”

Tara laughed. “What she means is, you loved the way he mixed drinks and his interactions with the customers and you offered him a job at Riley’s Club on the spot, even offering to pay his transportation to St. Louis.”

“I did?”

“You did. He very kindly turned down your offer, saying he had a wife and a baby son and he was very happy living here.”

“Fuck me. I must have been wasted. I don’t remember any of that.”

Liz held up her phone. “I have photos. And video.”

“I hate you.” Jenna sneered at her, then stood. “And it’s obvious if I’m going to feel human again, I’m going to need some carbs, juice, and coffee, no matter how revolting the thought.”

“I’ll join you,” Alicia said.

After they ate, everyone hit the pool for a little sweat session. When Liz suggested they go for a walk on the beach, Jenna groaned, saying she needed a nap.

“No, what you need is to sweat some of that alcohol out of your system.”

“The logical part of me knows you’re right. My stomach wants to tell you to fuck off.”

Liz laughed and pulled Jenna out of the chaise.

They all took a long walk down the beach, the warm sun beating down on them. Liz had worn a hat and her cover-up and enough sunscreen to ward off a burn.

“This is nice,” she said.

“What is?” Tara asked.

“Being here. With all of you.”

Tara looped her arm in Liz’s. “It has been fun. I had some reservations about coming. I thought I’d miss Sam too much.”

“I sense a but in there.”

“Actually, it’s been good for me to get away. Between chasing after the baby, and being back at work, things have been intense. I needed a break.”

“I’m glad you had a chance to unwind. By the way, I have massages scheduled for all of us this afternoon before we have to pack.”

Jenna sighed. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?”

“You might have said that about fifteen times last night.”

Jenna laughed. “As long as I only said it to you, then I’m okay.”

“Oh, you loved everyone last night. Me, the other girls . . .”

“The bartender,” Tara added. “The cocktail waitress who kept bringing you drinks.”

“Don’t forget the bouncer at the club. You sang to him.”

Jenna’s face went blank. “I did not.”

“Oh, you did. He liked it though. He sang with you.”

Alicia laughed. “I do remember that part. Hysterical.”

Jenna lifted her chin. “I’m not speaking to any of you ever again.”

Savannah put her arm around Jenna. “Yes, you are, honey, because we’re your bridesmaids. And we got stinking drunk with you and made fools of ourselves, too. Now if that isn’t love, what is?”

Jenna smiled and laid her head on Savannah’s shoulder. “I love you guys.”

Liz rolled her eyes.

They had their massages later in the day, which to Liz felt like absolute heaven. By the time they all returned to the room to shower and pack, she was both reluctant and eager to get home. She’d loved having an all-women weekend, but she missed Gavin. And she wasn’t going to get pregnant spending time away from her husband.

The trip home was long, and by the time everyone said their good-byes, she was counting the minutes until she walked in her front door. It was late, and she knew Gavin’s flight got in well before hers.

He was probably asleep. The house was lit up, though, and when she opened the garage door, she was surprised to see him still up.

“I thought you’d be sleeping,” she said as she got out of the car.

He came over and enveloped her in his arms, pressing her against the car and kissing her deeply. She fell into his embrace, telling him without words just how much she’d missed him.

“Mmm,” she said when he broke the kiss. “I missed that.”

“Me, too. And I wanted to wait up for you and grab your luggage.”

“Is that some kind of sexual euphemism?”

He laughed. “Well, no, but I can make it one if you want me to.”