Playing the Game

42. Where the Magic Happens

Her eyes fall over to mine, offering me a little smile. As my sister, she knows the overbearing protection our dad likes to bestow upon us when it comes to boys. She's not even dating yet, but she's had a front row seat to all of our dad's crazy antics whenever a boy was brought over, a small glimpse into her future.

"Hate to say it," Mom breathes out. "But she's right. It's beautiful."

There's a smile creeping across my face. Mom's right. So is Brooke. The house is beautiful.

"It's okay," Tommy relents, sitting back in his seat, clearly outnumbered.

"I thought we extinguished that ugly old Grinch inside of you years ago," Mom smiles, placing her hand along his cheek. "Don't tell me he's back."

"I'm not being a Grinch," he grumbles and the whole car grows silent, all eyes flying back and forth between one another, each of us silently wondering who should be the one to say something. We don't have to, though. Our awkward silence is enough for Dad to crack a smile, eyeing us kids in the rear view mirror before glancing over at Mom. "Fine. But I'm allowed a comment or two today."

"Because your daughter has a boyfriend you have to act tough for? Or because his dad is..." Mom pauses, her eyes briefly checking us in the back before she finishes her thought, "...his dad."

"What's wrong with his dad?" Lucas chirps from beside me.

"There's nothing wrong with his dad," Tommy clarifies. "We just... know each other. From when I used to live here."

"Oh!" Lucas sits forward in his seat as we park the car. Tee minus one minute before Grayson time. "You know each other like you were friends or like you arrested him?"

"Lucas!" Brooke hits her shoulder against his.

"What?"

"You can't just ask if Dad arrested someone."

"Why not?"

"Because it's none of our business."

"Dad hasn't answered," Lucas' brows raise, ignoring Brooke. And as much as I want to ignore my brother and his insinuating questions, I can't help but notice the same thing. He hasn't answered.

"Come on," Dad finally speaks up, unclicking his seatbelt and swinging the car door open. "It's rude to gawk in the driveway."

"Oh, this just got so good," Lucas leaps from the car. "Was it like a small thing? Did he do time? Is he a real criminal?"

"Alright, Lucas," Mom intervenes as we all stand from the car. "That's enough with the theatrics. He's not a criminal and we're not going to spend the evening guessing his crime. A crime he did not commit," she adds. "They've invited us to their home and we're going to be nothing but kind and respectful." She's speaking to my brother, but I don't miss the fact that her eyes stay on Tommy.

"I didn't say a word," Tommy smiles, reaching for Mom's hand.

"No, you gave him an inch when you knew he'd take the mile."

"Can we please just act normal?" I practically beg. "For the next few hours, can we maybe not bring up the possibility of anyone being arrested at any time? Especially my boyfriend's dad? Which is ridiculous, by the way."

"Sorry, sis," my brother shrugs his shoulders. "There's no way your boyfriend doesn't already know you're not normal."

I'm already shoving him before he even finishes his statement, a laugh bellowing from his lungs.

"Okay!" Mom shouts over us, taking a step toward the door. "I'm knocking!" She raises a hand, causing us both to turn forward.

This is it. Dinner with the families.