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I gave a small shrug, feeling the weight of the whole situation with Tori settle on my shoulders.
“I managed to calm things down. And that’s why this weekend is so important. I need her to see this side of my life, with you guys, with family. I want her to know I’m not just some over-possessive jerk,” I said.
Christian watched me carefully, studying my face. After a moment, he gave a small nod.
“I get it, man. She seems comfortable here. Like she fits. Maybe she’s already a keeper,” Christian said.
I swallowed, his words resonating more than I wanted to admit.
My gut told me he was right. I just hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it until now.
“Guess we’ll see,” I said, trying to keep my voice light.
Just then, Lacey called out, asking if we were going to join the game or stand around drinking beer all night.
Christian laughed, giving me a friendly shove toward the living room.
“Come on, lover boy. Let’s see if your luck with Tori holds up in cards too,” Christian said.
With a grin, I followed him back to the living room, where Tori was comfortably nestled between Lacey and Keir, already in the thick of the family chaos.
TORI
The morning started quietly, but there was a warmth in the air.
I found myself easing into the family dynamic as we sat around the large wooden table, sipping coffee and passing around platters.
Cole’s dad had a great sense of humor, and his younger sister, Lacey, kept everyone on their toes.
It was like a well-rehearsed play, each of them feeding off one another with jokes and playful bickering that made me laugh until my cheeks hurt.
“You know, Dad, you’ve got to let Cole take over the grilling one of these days,” Lacey said, grinning. “He’s out of practice. Poor Tori here doesn’t know what she’s in for.”
“Oh, is that so?” I quipped, casting a look at Cole, who just shook his head, smiling.
“Don’t listen to them,” Cole said, nudging my shoulder. “My cooking’s just fine.”
“Just fine?” Christian laughed. “Lacey’s got a point, you know. I think the last time you grilled, you left half the steaks looking like hockey pucks.”
“I was seventeen!” Cole protested, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Seventeen or not, I still think Tori deserves a warning,” Lacey teased, winking at me.
“Better get yourself an apron and teach him, Tori,” Lacey added.
I laughed, feeling a warmth inside. It wasn’t often I’d been able to joke like this with anyone’s family.
It reminded me of how much I’d missed this—the feeling of being part of something big, something good.
Both of my parents had died in a car crash while I was in college, leaving me alone with a grief I struggled to process.
Not long after, I met Marcus.
He’d often remind me, in his own way, that I should be grateful because he was “the only family” I’d ever need.
For a long time, I let myself believe him, let myself lean into that dependence because it felt safer than facing the world on my own.
It took years to see through the layers of control that were buried in his kindness.