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“It’s not going to matter. Trust me on this?”

She worries her bottom lip but eventually nods. “Okay.”

My face splits into a grin. “Okay.” Leaning over the console, I kiss her softly.

“Leave our bags. I’ll get them later. Let’s go say hello.

” I’ve never been more excited in my life to visit my family, knowing it’s with my girl by my side.

“Stay there. I’ll get your door.” I don’t give her time to argue before grabbing my keys and phone to shove them into my pocket as I round the truck to open her door.

“This is silly.” She chuckles.

I laugh. “This is perfect,” I whisper against her lips before lifting her out of the truck and placing her on her feet. Closing the door, I entwine our fingers and lead her into the house. “I’m home!” I call out.

“In the living room!” Mom calls back.

With Corie’s hand in mine, I lead her toward the living room. “Hey.” I smile at my parents. It’s just the two of them right now.

“Corie!” Mom jumps off the couch and rushes to pull my girl into a hug. “We’re so glad you could join us.”

“Thank you for having me,” Corie replies kindly.

“Let her breathe, sweet girl.” My dad laughs.

“Stop.” Mom grins as she releases Corie, only for Dad to pull her into a hug. “Good to see you again, Corie.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Ridge and Kendall,” he tells her. “We’re not formal around here.”

She nods, and I’m fucking happy she’s here. I lift our joined hands and kiss her knuckles, telling them without saying the words that she’s mine. “Where’s Everly and Emma?” I ask them.

“Everly is staying at her place tonight with Matt, and Emma is out with friends.”

“Isn’t that bad luck or something?” I ask my parents. “Seeing the bride before the big day?”

Dad shrugs. “They’ll be here later for dinner with the rest of the family. It’s what your sister wanted, and that’s what she’s getting. They can make their own traditions.”

“Oh, Corie, you’ll get to meet everyone.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” she replies, and so am I.

“Why don’t you get settled? Are you hungry?”

“We hit a drive-thru about an hour ago. I was starving,” I tell my mom. “Are we in my old room?” I ask her.

“Yes. Is that okay?”

“That’s perfect. I’ll show Corie and then go get our bags.”

“I’ll take her to your room,” Mom offers.

“And I’ll help with the bags,” Dad says, placing a hand on my shoulder and heading out the door.

“You good?” I check with Corie.

“Yes.” She smiles.

It’s not a fake, I’m suffering through this moment, smile; it’s a real one. One that makes me want to kiss her. Who am I kidding? I always want to kiss her. Bending, I peck my lips with hers. “Be right back.”

I’m not ashamed to admit that there’s a pep in my step as I meet my dad outside at my truck. He’s leaning around the tailgate with his arms crossed over his chest and a smile tugging at his lips. “I see you got your girl.”

“She’s mine.” I nod. What else is there to say?

“I like her.” He grins.

“Me too, Pops, me too.” I grab our bags from the back seat of my truck, and we head inside. I didn’t need his help, but it’s his way of checking up on me and on us, and I love him for it. I got damn lucky where my parents are concerned.

I find Corie in my old room, staring out the window. Closing the door softly behind me, I place our bags on the floor and move toward her, wrapping her in my arms. “Everything okay?” I ask her.

“Yes. Just admiring the backyard.”

“We’ve had lots of touch football games, barbecues, and bonfires in that backyard,” I tell her.

“Where is the wedding going to be?” she asks.

“At first, Everly wanted it in the backyard. Then she decided to have it during our bye week, and it’s cold in Tennessee in October. So, there’s a small venue. It’s actually an old barn that’s been renovated, not too far from here. The wedding and reception will be held there.”

She turns in my arms and smiles up at me. “Are there any events tonight?”

“Nothing official. Dad's got a pork loin in the smoker, and everyone will bring a side, and we’ll sit around and shoot the shit while we eat. Maybe play a game of touch football.”

“I love that,” she says, her eyes sparkling.

“Are you tired? We can nap before dinner.”

“We can’t just take a nap in your parents’ house,” she says incredulously.

“Yes, we can. I could use a nap with my girl.”

“It’s okay if I stay in here with you?”

“This might be my childhood home, but I’m a grown man, Corie girl. Yes, it’s more than okay. Come on. Let’s lie down.” I guide her to the bed, and we kick off our shoes and climb under the covers. We both wore comfy clothes for the trip, so sleeping in them won’t be an issue.

“No funny business, Knox Beckett. Your parents are downstairs.”

“We can be quiet,” I say, slipping my hand beneath her shirt.

“Knox!” she scolds, but I see the smile in her eyes.

“Fine.” I rest my hand on her bare belly.

“We’ll sleep.” It’s not long before her body goes completely lax, and I know she’s fallen asleep.

It takes me a lot longer because later tonight, I’m introducing the woman I’ve fallen in love with to my whole family.

It's not that I’ve said those exact words, but I feel them.

I get to introduce her to everyone who means something to me, and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Corie grips my hand as we make our way downstairs. We slept longer than I had planned, and from the sound of it, everyone is here. We clear the bottom step, and I slide my arm around her waist, pressing my lips to her temple. “Ready, Corie girl?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

We step into the kitchen, and all eyes turn to us. “Hey.” I wave at my family. “This is my girlfriend, Corie. You’ve met Mom, Emma, Everly, and my aunt Reagan. This is her daughter, my cousin, Bexley.” Corie will be meeting a ton of people tonight, and I know this will be overwhelming for her.

“It’s good to see you again,” Corie says.

“You, as well,” Aunt Reagan says. She nods toward me. “If you need help with this one, call any of us. We’ll help you keep him in line,” she teases.

Corie laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m going to take her outside and introduce her. Is everyone here?” I ask Mom.

“Yeah, they’re all outside.”

“Can I help with anything?” Corie asks.

“Thank you for offering, but I don’t think my son is ready to let you go just yet.” Mom chuckles. “Go on and meet everyone. There are a lot of us. We don’t expect you to remember all of us in one go.”

“Okay, but let me know. I’m happy to help.”

“Thank you, Corie.” Mom smiles at her.

“Come on.” Moving my hand to the small of her back, I guide her outside.

“Gather around!” I call out, and everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at us.

“This is my girl, Corie,” I tell them. Everyone waves and mumbles hello, and a rightness settles in my chest. I look at her.

“Crash course, baby?” She nods and smiles, and then we start.

“Okay, you remember my uncle Tyler. You met Bexley in the house, their daughter, and that’s Benjamin and Beckett, their twin sons.” I point them out. “Next, we have Mark and Dawn, and their daughters, Daisy and Ruby.”

“Nice to meet you,” Corie tells them, and I keep going.

“Next is Seth and Mara, their sons, Ryder and Jude, and their daughter, Finley.”

“He treating you right?” Uncle Seth asks her.

“He is,” Corie says, smiling up at me.

“Good, let me know if that changes.” Mark smirks.

“Not a chance, old man,” I tease him. “Finally, we have Kent and Delaney, their daughter, Kendrix, and son, Dermott.”

Corie waves, and everyone takes turns greeting her. They all hug her, and by the time she’s been through the entire family, I’m ready to have time with her, all to myself.

“Come on.” With her hand in mine, we walk to the back of the yard and settle in the hammock under the shade tree. Corie looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Your family is amazing, Knox.”

“They are.”

“You’re lucky to have them.”

I know what she’s saying without her saying the words. “How about I share them with you? They love you already, I can tell, and Landry, they might as well be running his fan group,” I tease.

“I’m sure he eats that up.” She chuckles. She’s quiet for several minutes. “Thank you, Knox, for sharing your people with us.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I love her and that if I play my cards right, maybe, just maybe, them being her family, too, can be our new reality. However, it’s my sister’s weekend, so I keep the words to myself.

Soon. I’ll tell her very soon. I don’t think I can keep the words locked down much longer.