“Garrett, this is Etta. Etta, this is Garrett, my older brother.”
“Finally bringing a girl home, I see.” Garrett kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Etta. What in the hell are you doing with a loser like my kid brother?”
I linked arms with Gret, smiling up at him. “I think he’s a catch.”
Gret kissed the top of my head, sweetly. “Why, thank you,babe.”
I could feel how weird that word was for Gret to say but we had to sell it.
“It’s the truth,” I retorted.
After meeting everyone from Gret’s team and his family and trying to keep everyone straight with a little more bubbly on deck than I probably should have consumed, it was time to say goodbye.
“Etta, please tell me that you’ll be joining us for Christmas.” Myla was hugging me again and I looked over her shoulder to Gret with wide eyes.
“Ma, we’ll see,” Gret answered, saving me.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” Myla demanded, looking at me then to her son.
“Well, if that is the case, I guess I will be seeing you soon.” I didn’t know what else to say. It was so nice to have someone want me to be around during the holidays. My own mother stopped inviting me years ago and I didn’t really have anyone else.
That realization was staggering. I didn’t have friends. I didn’t really have any family. I was alone.
“We’ll have to get you an ugly sweater,” Gret laughed, taking my hand.
“For what?” I asked.
“It’s tradition,” Myla answered.
“Can’t mess with tradition,” I chortled. “I’m in.”
Gret
“I am sosorry for my family.” Helping Etta into the car that was waiting for us, I couldn’t help but feel mortified.
As we slid into the backseat, Etta looked over at me. “I had a blast.”
“Good.” I tucked her into my side, instinctively.
Without even fighting it, Etta put her head on my shoulder. “This whole fake boyfriend thing is kind of growing on me.”
“That’s good.”
“I mean I would normally be wallowing and having a pity party with Tom and Jerry with tons of sappy girly movies if it wasn’t for you. Instead I am hanging out with an incredible, handsome man and his famous family.”
I laughed. “We’re just people.”
She violently shook her head. “I think you’re selling your entire family short. Your father is a hockey legend. Not to mention that your grandfather and uncle are too. I’ve watched at least one 60-Minutes episode about them.”
“Don’t forget that Uncle Griff is a famous boxer,” I added in. “You’ll meet him and his wife on Christmas.”
“Your family is intimidating.”
I pulled her in a little closer. “To be honest, they terrify me too.”
Chapter 6
Etta