Page 31 of The Unexpected Lineup (Lost in Translation #2)
WHAT I’M HEARING IS YOU THINK I’M ATTRACTIVE AND TALENTED
HAISLEY
I know our first family dinner is going to be a nightmare.
A test to see how Rasmus handles my brothers.
They aren’t exactly the silent types, even if they support (almost) every decision I make in life.
But still, they’re overprotective, meddling idiots who love making my life difficult for the fun of it.
I mean, would they even be my younger brothers if they didn’t do that? I don’t think so.
Bringing Rasmus home to officially meet the family, unwed and pregnant, is like handing them an all-you-can-eat buffet of material to work with. They can’t resist a good challenge. And I’m truly getting worried as we get closer to our family estate on Long Island.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked him earlier while fixing my hair in the mirror. “You don’t have to prove anything to them.”
Rasmus casually leaned against the doorway like he wasn’t going to walk into enemy territory. “I’m not scared of your brothers. I’ve played against two of them and work in the same organization with the third one. They won’t say anything I haven’t heard before.”
“But I’m still worried because I never really know what’s going to come out of their mouths,” I sighed.
He walked over, put his hands on my shoulders and rubbed them. “They’re going to comment on my looks, my playing style, and something about not marrying you after finding out you’re expecting my baby.”
I nodded, agreeing with him.
“I would do the same if I had a sister and she brought a guy like me to meet the family.”
That made me smile. “I love that you can see their side of things.”
The conversation stuck with me the whole drive out here. But no matter how calm he seemed, I couldn’t shake the nerves twisting in my stomach.
“Here we are.”
Rasmus puts the car in park, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel before he turns to me. There’s a flicker of nervousness in his expression, his brows tugging together.
“Hey,” I say gently, meeting his eyes. “Remember what you told me earlier—they only want the best for me.”
Getting out of the car, Rasmus walks to my side and opens the door for me. He offers a hand, balancing me, because my ankle is still a bit wonky two weeks after the fall. I’m out of the walking boot, but to be safe, I’m still avoiding putting too much weight on it .
“I’d think you’re trying to get brownie points in front of my parents, but you do that every time we go out lately.”
He chuckles, holding a caramel almond cake he baked this morning in the other hand. “My abuela taught me well.”
We greet my parents waiting for us at the door. My mom pulls me into a warm hug, holding me close as though she’s been counting down the seconds until we see each other. “You look so radiant,” she murmurs against my hair.
I notice a wheelchair and scowl. “Seriously, Dad?”
He lifts his hands. “Not my idea!”
“Hush now,” Mom says, turning to Rasmus. “I know we’ve met before, but it was under different circumstances. It’s good to see you again.” She warmly smiles and hugs him. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you,” he says, handing over the cake. “This is a traditional Swedish cake for dessert.”
My dad shakes Rasmus’ hand, and they give each other long, measured looks. “Good to see you again.”
Rasmus, to his credit, doesn’t falter. “Good to see you too, Mr. Lavigne.”
“You know how I feel about the formality.”
“Well, I’m here as your first grandbaby’s dad, not your player, so I’m showing a little respect.”
As we get inside, the front door swings open behind us. My brothers step in, trying to make some grand reveal. Classic Hendrix move, no doubt.
I glance up at them from the wheelchair. Hendrix, Holden, and Hunter; my personal pains in the ass. Their eyes flick from Rasmus to each other.
“Look who finally decided to show his face around here,” Hunter drawls. “We were starting to think you’d change your mind.”
“That’s right,” Hendrix adds, crossing his arms.
Holden, ever the quietest of the three, lets out a small hum, tilting his head as he observes my baby daddy like a science experiment. “Interesting.”
I groan. “Can you guys not? You’ve met him close to a million times before.”
But it’s too late. My brothers already have something planned. I can sense it.
At the dinner table, I watch my brothers exchange a look that puts me on high alert. I know that look because I invented it. It means trouble with a capital T. Judging by the glint in Hunter’s eyes as he leans in, the moment they’ve been waiting for has arrived.
I hold my breath. This is where it could all go downhill fast.
Then Hunter mutters something under his breath in Spanish. And I sit back, hiding my amusement.
Hunter says the words louder. “Can you believe this guy? Getting our sister pregnant without a fucking ring. What a disaster.”
Mom sighs and shakes her head while my brothers burst out laughing, nearly choking on their food. But the joke’s on them .
Rasmus, completely unfazed, says in his perfect Spanish, “I would have to agree. But that might make your sister mad. She hates when anyone talks negatively about the baby.”
My brothers’ laughter dies so fast you’d think someone pressed a mute button on them. Hunter’s jaw practically hits the table. Holden freezes mid-chew, eyes wide, looking at Hendrix, who is dumbfounded.
“Mierda,” Holden curses, his face turning red. “?Hablas espanol?”
“My mom is Swedish Spanish, and my aunt and cousin live in Mexico where I spend most holidays,” Rasmus replies in Spanish and casually takes a sip of his drink. “And my Abuela raised me alone after my grandpa passed away.”
Hendrix groans, running a hand down his face and switches back to English. “Sis, why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I knew you idiotas would pull something, and I was eager to watch it happen from the front seat.”
Holden lets out a dramatic sigh, very unlike him. “Well played.”
“I feel so betrayed.” Hunter shakes his head. “This is worse than when she let us think Santa and the Easter Bunny were sworn enemies.”
“That was actually my idea,” Mom joins the conversation. “But what did we learn today? Never say bad things about someone in the same room. They might understand every word.”
“Yes, madrecita,” the boys say in unison. They only call her that if they try to get on her good side.
Rasmus chuckles, clearly entertained. Hunter crosses his arms, eyes narrowing at my baby daddy. “Alright, now that we know you’re fluent, I want to say one more thing.” He switches to Spanish to get his point across. “No offense, man, but you’re still not good enough for my sister.”
Rasmus lifts an amused brow. “ Oh ?”
“Yeah, I mean, look at her. She’s stunning and smart. She’s worked so hard to get where she is. Meanwhile—” Hunter waves a hand vaguely at Rasmus. “—you’ve got a freaking man bun and lots of baggage based on the rumors. You might be good at hockey, whatever, but that’s not the point.”
Rasmus only smiles. “What I’m hearing is you think I’m attractive and talented. Thanks, buddy.”
Hendrix bursts out laughing, while Holden looks personally offended on Hunter’s behalf.
“That’s not what I said,” my brother exclaims. “You twisted my words!”
“But that’s what I heard.” Rasmus shrugs.
Hunter glares at me. “This is your fault, sis. You let him be all charming, and now he’s part of our family until we all die.”
My dad speaks up. “Well, that took a morbid turn. I think you should consider your words carefully before coming to the next family dinner,” he tells my brother and turns to Rasmus.
“Now, son, would you want some homemade key lime pie for dessert? It’s an old family recipe from my grandmother’s side of the family.
Or we can eat that cake you brought. You decide. ”
I smile because I notice Rasmus’ awe when my dad called him son . It warms my heart. If tonight is any indicator of what the eighteen plus years of family dinners will be, I don’t mind them at all.