Page 149 of The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

“They are. A little birdy told me they were your favorite.”

“They’re very beautiful. Thank you, Jason.” Mom graciously accepted the flowers despite the scowl on her face. “Now would you care to explain why you’re in my house, kissing my daughter?”

“About that, Mom. I can explain. Jason is…” The words were right there, on the tip of my tongue, but I froze.

I totally and utterly froze.

Fingers sliding against mine, Jason’s touch slowly thawed the panic coiled around my throat. “I’m Felicity’s boyfriend.”

“B- boyfriend. Oh my… Well, that is a shock. Boyfriend?” Her eyes went to mine and I managed a small nod. “I see, and how long has this been going on?”

“It’s fairly new,” Jason said with an easy confidence, and I was beginning to wonder if there was anything he couldn’t do. “But rest assured, I care about your daughter very much.”

“That’s… good to know.” Her hand slid to her neck as if she was having a hard time breathing. “Maybe we should all sit down.” Mom spun around and disappeared down the hall, and I slumped against Jason.

“This is not how I wanted this to go,” I let out a heavy sigh. “Did you see her face? She’s mortified.”

“Hey.” Jason’s fingers slid underneath my jaw, tilting my face to meet his steely eyes. “At least she knows now. She’ll come around.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because she loves you.”

“Okay.” Inhaling a deep breath, I said, “Let’s go finish this.” Because her world was about to spin one more time before the evening was over.

I only hoped we all survived.

We found Mom in the living room, sipping what looked like a glass of liquor. Dear God, I’d driven my mother to drink. There’s one for your list.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. This wasn’t how I wanted you to find out. I was trying to tell you over dinner, but the words just wouldn’t come out.”

“I won’t deny it’s a lot to process. I had no idea you were even dating; you never said anything.” Hurt flashed in her eyes, making guilt snake around my heart.

“I’m not dating, I mean, I wasn’t… Me and Jason just sort of happened.” My eyes lifted to his. “I didn’t plan for any of this.”

“Well, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you can’t help who you fall for. I mean, take me and your father for example.” She smiled wistfully. “I just thought you had more sense, sweetheart.”

“Mom!” I scolded.

“Forgive me, Jason, I didn’t mean to sound so insensitive. I’m sure you can understand I’m not bowled over at the idea of my daughter dating a football player, let alone Rixon’s star quarterback.”

He stiffened beside me, squeezing my hand a little tighter. “We’re not dating, Mom,” I said. “I love him. I’m in love with him.”

If she’d been surprised in the hall watching me kiss Jason, it was nothing compared to the expression she wore now. “Felicity Charlotte Giles, in love, really?”

“Really.”

“And you,” she glared at Jason. “What are your intentions for my daughter?”

He cleared his throat and I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Jason might have signed on for my brand of crazy, but he was about to learn I had nothing on my mother.

“I’ll be honest, it’s not a question I imagined answering so soon.” Strangled laughter rumbled in his chest. “But I love her, ma’am. She makes me want to be a better man. Makes me want things I wasn’t sure I ever wanted. I understand you have concerns, I would too. But please know I would never do anything to hurt her.”

Mom’s expression barely softened. “You’ve certainly got a charm about you, don’t you?”

Oh dear God, despite her stone mask, my mother was flirting with my boyfriend.

I was never going to live this down.