Wicked Games (Denver Rebels) (28 page)

“Of course.” He winked devilishly. “But who said anything about playing?”

17

N
adia knew her
parents wouldn’t approve of her relationship with Reid. Like the rest of the family, they were well versed in her history with athletes. If they found out that she was dating a professional hockey player, they would be surprised and disappointed. Since she wasn’t ready to discuss or defend her relationship, she swore Nelson and Scarlett to secrecy under pain of dismemberment.

She realized, of course, that she’d taken a huge risk by posting that selfie with Reid on her Instagram page. Although her parents weren’t into social media, there was a very good chance that one of their friends or colleagues could have seen the picture and told her parents about it when they got back from vacation. The selfie had certainly caused quite a stir on her page. She’d never received so many likes and comments on one picture. The feedback from friends and strangers had been overwhelmingly positive, ranging from Jess’s ecstatic
“YASSSS!”
to Emily’s good-humored
“You lucky ass bitch!”

Thankfully—and miraculously—no one else in her family had uncovered her “open secret” yet. But she suspected it wouldn’t stay that way much longer.

The day after her parents returned from their Caribbean cruise, the entire family gathered at their suburban home for the Warners’ monthly Sunday potluck. Since Nelson and Bianca were going to the movies afterward, Nadia drove separately.

When they arrived at the house, Eden Warner answered the door looking relaxed and well rested from vacation. Her dark eyes were glowing and her mahogany skin was even more radiant than usual. With her short, sleek hair and toned figure, she always managed to look elegant even when simply dressed in a Denver Broncos T-shirt and white jeans.

She welcomed them with exuberant hugs and kisses before drawing them inside the house. After gushing over the caramel fudge brownies and potato salad that Nadia and Bianca had brought, she raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at her son.

“Now why do you always show up empty-handed?”

Nelson grinned. “My presence is contribution enough.”

His mother laughed.

Nadia rolled her eyes, advancing into the familiar warmth of her childhood home. Beyond the foyer was a tastefully furnished living room with tall windows that overlooked a large backyard. The contemporary décor was interspersed with decorative seasonal touches like the lavish autumn centerpieces and bowls of candy corn that adorned the sideboard and coffee table. On the fireplace mantel was a cornucopia basket brimming with colorful fruits, vegetables and crisp fall leaves. The air was scented with burning apple logs and spiced pumpkin votive candles scattered throughout the room.

The sound of voices and laughter rose from the basement. Then Nadia’s father emerged, a broad grin stretched across his handsome face. “About time you kids showed up. Your mother’s been starving us until you got here.”

Nadia and Nelson grinned. “Hey, Dad.”

“Welcome back, Dr. Warner,” Bianca said warmly. “How was the cruise?”

“Wonderful. As always.” Lincoln Warner was tall and broad-shouldered with salt-and-pepper hair and skin the color of roasted pecans. He was wearing a Peyton Manning jersey over comfortable jeans and sneakers. With his good looks and rugged charm, his nurses and female patients positively adored him.

After greeting Nadia and Bianca with quick bear hugs, he clapped Nelson on the shoulder and grinned. “I hear you’ve become quite famous in our absence. Everyone’s been telling me how you scored some nice sound bites from Reid Holden. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Nelson said with a sheepish grin. “I got lucky.”

His father guffawed. “Luck had nothing to do with it. You’re a good reporter, son. Good reporters are smart, resourceful and tenacious. They don’t take no for an answer. They go after what they want and make things happen.”

“Uh, yeah, I guess so,” Nelson agreed, darting a self-conscious glance at Nadia.

Thankfully at that moment they were joined by their uncle and two cousins.

Lavell Warner was Lincoln’s identical twin. Their features were so strikingly similar that they were indistinguishable to outsiders. They were as close as any two brothers could be. Both had attended Howard University and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha, upholding a proud family tradition that their sons would continue. After graduation, Lincoln went into dentistry while Lavell became an aerospace engineer for Boeing. They served as best man at each other’s wedding and became the godfather of each other’s children.

Lavell’s sons, Luke and Lennox, strongly resembled their father and uncle. They’d inherited the same ruggedly handsome features, the same complexion and the same imposing height. Nelson, who stood just shy of six feet, was the only Warner male who’d been slightly shortchanged in the height department.

Luke, the eldest, had followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an aerospace engineer. He always looked clean-cut and polished, whether he was wearing one of his designer suits or casual attire.

Lennox, on the other hand, looked like he still belonged on a football field plowing through defenders and breaking tackles. He had massive shoulders, a barrel chest and thick arms roped with muscle. As a personal fitness trainer, he typically wore athletic clothing—sweatpants and shorts and muscle shirts that showed off his bulging biceps and powerful physique. His neat black dreadlocks were tied back in a ponytail, and he sported a manicured goatee.

The Warners were a football family, with hockey a close second favorite. Every Sunday after church, the men donned their Denver Broncos jerseys and congregated at Lincoln’s house to watch the games. Sometimes, depending on how well the season was going, they went to their favorite sports bar to cheer on the Broncos with other diehard fans. Today’s division matchup with the New England Patriots had everyone buzzing with excitement.

After the greetings and pleasantries had been exchanged, Uncle Lavell rubbed his hands together and grinned. “Now that the gang’s all here, let’s eat.”

Everyone laughed. “Amen.”

They proceeded to the kitchen, where Uncle Lavell’s wife, Sherise, was gathered around the large center island with Scarlett and Luke’s fiancée, Ana Gutierrez, a pretty Latina with sparkling brown eyes and wavy dark hair that hung halfway down her back.

The three women were laughing and chatting as they heated up fragrant platters of food. They greeted the newcomers with warm hugs and cleared space on the counter for Nadia and Bianca’s dishes.

“Now why did you have to make your caramel fudge brownies?” Sherise Warner fussed at Nadia. “You know I’m trying to stay in shape for Luke’s wedding.”

Nadia grinned. “The wedding’s not until April. That gives you plenty of time to burn off any unwanted calories.”

Uncle Lavell grunted. “You don’t need to burn off nothing, woman. You look good just the way you are.”

“Why, thank you, honey,” Aunt Sherise cooed, fluttering her lashes at him as she smoothed manicured hands down her shapely hips. She had dark doe eyes with a flirtatious tilt to them, an alluring feature that she’d passed on to Scarlett. Her shoulder-length hair was stylishly layered and dyed a reddish brown that complemented her caramel complexion.

She and Nadia’s mother had been best friends since childhood. Aunt Sherise was the matchmaker who’d introduced Lincoln and Eden to each other at Howard. Thirty years later, she was still patting herself on the back.

Nelson grinned, draping an arm around her shoulders. “Go ahead and enjoy all the brownies you want, Aunt Sherise. If you need to lose a few pounds before the wedding, Lennox will whip you back into shape.”

“Uh-uh,” Aunt Sherise said with an emphatic shake of her head. “I’ve seen the way that boy ‘whips’ his clients into shape. All those crazy exercises he’s had you doing? I’d never survive one of his boot camp workouts.”

“Aw, c’mon, Ma,” Lennox teased, winking at her. “Don’t be scurred.”

Everyone laughed.

“The game’s about to start,” Lincoln announced, glancing at his watch. “Let’s bless this food so we don’t miss kickoff.”

Everyone gathered around the center island, joined hands and bowed their heads as Nadia’s father prayed over the food and thanked God for Scarlett’s safe return from overseas. When he’d finished, everyone chorused “Amen” and then eagerly filled their plates from the bowls and platters lining the counter. The potluck spread included Eden’s delicious crab cakes, Aunt Sherise’s baked ziti and Ana’s chicken enchiladas, a recipe passed down from her grandmother.

As the women sat on stools at the center island, Aunt Sherise looked around the crowded kitchen with a beaming smile. “It’s so good to have the family back together again.”

“Sure is,” the men agreed around mouthfuls of food. As they hustled out of the kitchen, Nelson paused long enough to give Bianca a warm kiss before following the others. When Ana pointedly cleared her throat, Luke came back with a sheepish grin, kissed her cheek and stroked a hand down her hair before heading to the basement to watch the game.

When Scarlett moved to follow the men, Aunt Sherise caught her arm, detaining her. “Why don’t you stay and eat with us, baby?”

Scarlett frowned. “But the game’s about to start.”

“You won’t miss more than the first quarter.”

“But—”

“You’ve been gone for three months, Scarlett. That’s three Sunday potlucks you’ve been absent for. We’ve missed your company.” Her mother smiled cajolingly. “Please stay and eat with us.”

Scarlett hesitated a moment, then obligingly trudged over and plopped down on the stool next to Nadia, who gave her a sympathetic grin.

Scarlett loved football almost as much as hockey. She enjoyed watching the games and hated to miss a single play. She’d never cared for the custom of men and women splitting off into separate groups at family gatherings. She’d grown up with two older brothers and spent most of her time with her bandmates, so she was used to being one of the guys. She’d much rather be downstairs drinking beer and shouting at the television than sitting around the kitchen chatting about Thanksgiving menus or holiday shopping plans or which distant relative was expecting a baby.

It wasn’t long before the conversation turned to Luke and Ana’s wedding. Although it was several months away, Ana had already found the perfect wedding dress and booked the reception venue.

“Are your parents still upset that you won’t be getting married in Mexico?” Nadia’s mother asked.

“They are,” Ana admitted with a sigh. “My family expects all of us to get married back home in Sonora, like my brother did. But I explained to them how difficult it would be for Luke’s grandparents to travel to Mexico.”

Aunt Sherise nodded. “Lavell’s parents hardly ever leave their retirement village, and that’s only two hours from here. And don’t even get me started on
my
parents. As much as they enjoy visiting us, they always complain about the long flight from Virginia.”

“So do mine.” Eden sighed. “And, unfortunately, with all the drug cartel violence happening in different parts of Mexico, many of our family members and friends would be concerned for their safety if the wedding was held in Sonora.”

“I understand,” Ana said, picking up her drink. “I’m just grateful that Luke agreed to honor my parents’ wishes for a Catholic ceremony. It means a lot to them.”

“Compromise,” Aunt Sherise said, patting Ana’s hand. “That’s the key to any successful marriage. Learning the art of give and take.”

A murmur of assent went around the center island.

Scarlett grinned. “I’m so glad to hear you talk about compromise, Ma. Because if and when I ever get married—and that’s a very big
if
—the wedding’s taking place in Sweden.”

“
Sweden?
” everyone exclaimed. Everyone but Nadia, who lowered her head to hide a secret smile.

“Yes, Sweden. While we were on tour in Stockholm,” Scarlett explained, “we performed at Hesselby slott, which is this amazing seventeenth-century castle and park. I
loved
that place. I know it sounds corny, but being there made me want a winter wonderland wedding.”

“Wow,” Nadia marveled. “That sounds really beautiful.”

“It does,” Bianca agreed. “Talk about an unforgettable destination wedding.”

“I know.” Ana gave a wistful chuckle. “Our reception at the Grand Hyatt suddenly seems so ordinary.”

Aunt Sherise guffawed. “Nonsense. Your wedding’s going to be beautiful, and you’ll make a lovely bride.” She grinned. “Any progress on finding your bridesmaids’ dresses?”

Ana laughed. “Not yet. My sisters and I have been poring over bridal magazines and visiting boutiques to look at dresses. You know I want a pastel color scheme, with tulips and daffodils for the bouquets. So I’m looking for gowns in soft shades of pink, peach, coral or pistachio.”

“Pretty colors,” Eden agreed. “The girls will look gorgeous in any of those.”

“But no taffeta, please.” Scarlett shuddered. “I don’t care what our dresses look like. As long as they’re not made of taffeta, we’re good.”

Everyone laughed.

“Believe me, I have no intent—” Ana broke off as her phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her jeans pocket and looked down at the text she’d just received. Brows furrowing, she tapped the screen and then uttered, “Oh my God.”