“Chase couldn’t get away for the weekend. They had a big game in Michigan.”
I nod my head in understanding. “I get it.”
“Figured you would,” Posey chuckles, linking her arm through mine. “Come on, your mom said the food will be ready soon.”
Posey leads me into the kitchen to find everyone else. My dad, Rowan, Lincoln, and Uncle Caleb are all sitting at the table in the connected dining room. Posey’s mom, Nova, my Aunt Mia, and Rowan’s wife, Hadley, are all gathered around the island counter, talking about something.
My spine immediately straightens, a smile falling from my lips as I meet my father’s gaze from across the room.
Carson Ford isn’t an angry man, but when he thinks he’s right about something, he stands his ground. At some point, one of us is going to have to apologize first. My pride says it won’t be me.
“Matteo!” My mother comes rushing over to me. “Caro.” She kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“And you swear he’s not your favorite,” Elena murmurs under her breath.
I shoot a glare at her, and she gives me the middle finger.
“Where’s Pip and Tella?” I ask my aunt.
“They’re at a concert.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” I nod. I remember Tella saying she bought tickets for Pippa’s birthday two months ago. I look back at my mom. “Do you need help with anything?”
“No, no, we got it.” My mother smiles, wiping her hands on her apron. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
I make my way around the counter, hugging and greeting Nova, Hadley, and Aunt Mia. I suck in a deep breath, knowing I need to face my father. Pushing my shoulders back again, I turn to the table and head over to where all the men are seated.
Uncle Caleb nods his head in greeting, Lincoln and Rowan both shake my hand, and my father’s gaze locks on mine again. The muscle in his jaw tightens and his expression is unreadable. For a second, it looks like guilt washes over his eyes before it vanishes. He rises to his feet, surprising me as he walks over and pulls me in for a hug.
“Hey, bud. Glad you could make it.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. My stomach rolls with uncertainty. “Happy birthday.”
My father releases me. “Can we talk?”
There’s no hint of anger in his voice, yet I’m confused. I thought he was still mad at me. “Yeah, of course,” I nod, my heart hammering harder. And then the front door slams.
“Hey, fam,” Theo shouts from the foyer as he comes strolling into the kitchen. “Hope I’m not late.”
He hugs my mom and waves to the other mothers.
“Theo!” Lucy runs over to him, both of their laughter filling the air as she jumps into his arms. Growing up, Lucy and Theo were inseparable and their friendship didn’t stop after we all became adults. He swings her around, setting her down as he kisses the top of her head and they go their separate ways.
He strolls over to the table. “Coach,” he says, nodding at Uncle Caleb before addressing everyone else. “Happy birthday, Mr. Carson.”
“Thanks, Theodore.”
My eyebrows tug together. “You didn’t tell me you’d be here.”
Theo shrugs with indifference as he pulls out an empty chair. “You didn’t ask.”
I had been trying to put this birthday celebration out of my mind so I didn’t end up overthinking it like I normally do.
“Where are Nash and Riley?”
Nash is Theo’s stepfather who played with my dad and the rest of the guys. He met Theo’s mom when she was pregnant and is the only father Theo’s ever known.
“My dad’s at the game with Ryland and Chase, and my mom was having a POTS flareup, so she stayed home.”