17
Nadia 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.”
Everyone stared at her. “What?”
She lifted surprised eyes to Scarlett and Nadia. “My sister just sent me a link to some video that was posted on World Star Hip Hop—”
Nadia groaned as soon as she heard the name of the popular website that hosted trashy viral videos of people fighting, twerking and making spectacles of themselves.
“What on earth is World Star Hip Hop?” her mother asked suspiciously.
“You don’t wanna know,” Nadia muttered.
Ana grimaced. “Apparently my sister recognized you and Scarlett in some fight video.”
The two mothers gasped in shock. “What?”
“We weren’t fighting,” Nadia quickly assured them.
“Who was?”
Nadia hesitated. “Jess and her cousin.”
“Your friend Jessilyn?”
Nadia sighed. “Yes.”
Her mother frowned, shaking her head at Aunt Sherise. “I knew there was a reason I never liked that girl.”
This was news to Nadia. “Seriously, Ma? Since when?”
“Since forever.”
Scarlett looked distinctly amused. “What’s the link to the video, Ana?”
“Here. You can watch it on my phone.” Ana passed her mobile across the counter to Scarlett.
Nadia leaned close to peer at the screen, groaning in disgust when she saw the title of the video: Ratchet Redbones Throw Down in Sushi Joint.
Snickering, Scarlett pressed the play button to watch the brawl between Caitlyn and Jess. Nadia hoped the video footage would be grainy. But nope, there they were clear as day, cursing and swinging wildly at each other while Nadia and Scarlett looked on in shocked dismay.
“Oh my God.” Bianca stood watching over their shoulders. “Those two are really going for it. When did this happen?”
“Last Saturday,” Nadia grumbled.
“What? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“I didn’t tell anyone.” Not even Reid. Especially not Reid.
After Nadia’s second attempt to break up the fight, a smattering of laughter could be heard on the video as the woman recording the fight warned, “Don’t get yourself hurt, girlfriend.”
Scarlett grinned. “That’s what I told her.”
Nadia’s mother and Aunt Sherise shook their heads, looking downright appalled. “I can’t believe you two were involved in such a disgraceful spectacle.”
“Hey, don’t blame us,” Scarlett protested. “The mixed chicks were the ones acting ratchet.”
“But in Jess’s defense,” Nadia interjected, “her cousin had that beatdown coming.”
Scarlett laughed. “She sure did.”
Aunt Sherise held out her hand for the phone. “Let me see it.”
While the scandalized mothers watched the video, Nadia pulled out her phone and fired off a text to Jess: Ur fight is on WSHH!
I know, Jess responded right away. Ally saw the video at school, freaked out and called Caitlyn crying about how embarrassed she was. Now Cait’s having a meltdown. She contacted the site and threatened legal action if they don’t take down the video. She’s losing clients and is worried that Manning will see it. That dude ain’t thinking about her! Fucking hilarious!
Hilarious??? Nadia texted back. What if ur supervisor sees the vid?
I hope she won’t, Jess replied.
Nadia sent back a bunch of emojis with the face screaming in fear.
Lol, Jess texted back. Um…this probably isn’t a good time to tell u, but that gossip blog posted new pics of u and Reid.
Nadia’s heart sank. Shit! Does it ever end?
Just then she heard a sharp gasp across the counter. When she looked up, her mother was staring at her in wide-eyed disbelief with Ana’s phone clutched in her hand.
“Ana just got another text message from her sister. Are you dating Reid Holden?”
The blood drained from Nadia’s head. Nervously licking her lips, she put her phone away without responding to Jess’s last text.
“I asked you a question, Nadia. Are you dating Reid Holden?”
“WHAT?”
Six heads whipped around to see Nadia’s father looming in the doorway with an incredulous scowl on his face.
Nadia inwardly groaned. Great. Just when she’d thought this moment couldn’t get any worse. This was so not the way she’d wanted to break the news to her parents.
“I must not have heard right,” her father growled, stalking into the kitchen. “Did your mother just ask you if you’re dating Reid Holden?”
The others shared a look that said, “Uh-oh.” And then, without a word, they picked up their plates and scuttled out of the room, leaving Nadia alone with her parents.
Cowards, she thought, disgruntled.
Lincoln and Eden stood across the center island, their arms folded across their chests as they glared expectantly at her.
“Well?” her father demanded. “Is it true?”
Nadia swallowed hard, then thrust her chin up. “Yes.”
It wasn’t the response her parents had apparently been expecting. They exchanged a stunned look, then turned back to her and exclaimed, “Are you out of your mind?”
Her chin rose higher. “With all due respect, I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need your permission to date Reid, or anyone else for that matter.”
Her father scowled. “You can’t be serious, Nadia. This isn’t about you being grown enough to choose your own boyfriends. This is about you using common sense and good judgment. Dating Reid Holden is a damn bad idea.”
“Which you should already know.” Her mother lifted a censorious brow. “Or need we remind you of your unfortunate track record with athletes?”
Nadia bristled. “I don’t need any reminders.”
“Apparently you do,” her father countered. “You’ve been hurt by every athlete you’ve ever gone out with, Nadia. Why put yourself through that again?”
“Because Reid is different!” The moment the words left her mouth, she wondered how much she believed them.
Her parents clearly didn’t, judging by their skeptical expressions. “How do you know he’s different?”
“Because…” She swallowed. “I just do.”
She watched with a sinking heart as her parents looked at each other. The disappointment on their faces was evident. They thought she was delusional. And she probably was.
But she couldn’t help remembering Reid’s compassion, tenderness and fury when she’d told him about Greg, Dawan and Brody. She’d never told anyone but Scarlett about the attempted rape. Unburdening herself to Reid had felt good. Liberating. He’d made her feel safe, cherished and protected, something no other guy had ever done.
“Of all the men in Denver you had to get involved with,” her father scolded, “why did it have to be a professional athlete? And a hockey player, at that.”
Nadia frowned. “What’s wrong with him being a hockey player? You love hockey. In fact, you’re one of Reid’s biggest fans. And weren’t you just praising Nelson for getting Reid to talk to him?”
“There’s a big difference between appreciating a player’s talent and wanting him to date my daughter.” Her father scowled. “Whatever happened between you and my frat brother’s son? Jarrett’s a nice young man with a good job and a good head on his shoulders. Why didn’t you give him a chance?”
Nadia heaved a sigh. “I already told you, Dad. I didn’t connect with him.”
“Why not?”
“I wasn’t attracted to him, for starters. And to be honest, I thought he was totally full of himself. During our date, he actually made a point of telling me what a good catch he is and how he’s wanted by women of all races.” Nadia rolled her eyes. “Apart from our fathers belonging to the same fraternity, we didn’t have anything in common.”
“And what could you possibly have in common with some hockey player from Detroit?” her father challenged. “You don’t even like the sport Reid plays.”
“I didn’t,” Nadia conceded. “But that’s changing. Now that we’re dating, I’ve taken an interest in learning more about hockey. And I’m actually enjoying it.”
Her father shot an exasperated look at his wife. “Are you hearing this?”
“I am,” she murmured, her arms folded across her chest as she calmly regarded her daughter. “What do you and Reid Holden have in common?”
The question made Nadia smile. “It’s not so much what we have in common. It’s how we are when we’re together. We enjoy being with each other. We have great conversations and can talk for hours about anything. He takes a genuine interest in me as a person, and he doesn’t think I’m a weirdo for fangirling over indie and foreign films. We enjoy some of the same music. Even though we’re both in our twenties, we love old school songs more than current stuff. We have a lot of fun together. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel beautiful.”
Her mother’s expression gentled. “You are beautiful.”
“Not really. Not the way Scarlett is. Or Jess. Or you. You were Miss Howard University, Ma. You’ve always been described as a ‘stunning ebony beauty’ and the ‘quintessential Nubian queen.’ When you walk into a room, people stop and stare at you. That’s never been my experience. Oh, I know I’m pretty. But I’ve never turned heads. But when Reid looks at me…” Nadia trailed off and stared down at her hands, biting her bottom lip.
“Go on,” her mother gently urged.
Nadia lifted her head, smiling softly. “When Reid looks at me, I honestly feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Something soft and warm flickered in her mother’s eyes. They shared a long look, a moment of understanding that connected them woman to woman, mother to daughter.
The moment was interrupted by Nadia’s father.
“I don’t know who or what gave you the idea that you’re not as beautiful as your mother,” he said gruffly. “The day you and Nelson were born, the nurse put your brother in your mama’s arms and put you in mine. I took one look at you and told your mother that you looked just like her. That’s why your middle name is Eden.”
His wife smiled at the memory. “That’s true.”
Lincoln pointed a finger at Nadia, stabbing the air with it. “You’ve never had any trouble getting boyfriends. Plenty of our friends’ sons and nephews think you’re attractive. You don’t need no white man to validate your beauty.”
She frowned. “I never said—”
“You know that’s not what she meant, Linc.”
Nadia sent her mother a grateful look, hopeful that she’d found an ally. She needed someone on her side, and it clearly wasn’t going to be her father.
“I don’t like it,” he blustered, shaking his head. “You know how I feel about interracial relationships. We’ve got a strong, beautiful, black family. Why do we need to dilute our bloodline with other races?”
Nadia raised an eyebrow. “Last I checked, you had no objections to Luke getting engaged to Ana.”
Her father scowled. “Luke isn’t my son. And last I checked, Latinos don’t have a history of enslaving and oppressing black people in America.”
Nadia’s jaw dropped. “Seriously, Dad? You’re seriously pulling the slavery card?”
“It’s not a ‘card.’ It’s a reality.”
“Was a reality,” Nadia corrected. “Chattel slavery has been over for almost two hundred years.”
“But racism is still alive and well in this country!”
“I know that, Dad. Believe me, I would never deny that racism exists. I know it does, and I’ve personally experienced it. But why should every white person be held responsible for the atrocities that may have been committed by their ancestors? If Reid makes me happy, why should the color of his skin matter?”
“Because it does,” her father said stubbornly. “And you’re naive if you think otherwise.”
Nadia took a deep breath to calm her nerves and cool her heated temper. “I don’t care what other people think of our relationship. And neither does—”
Her father slammed his fist on the counter, causing her to flinch. “No daughter of mine is bringing home some white hockey player! I’m not having it, you hear me? It ain’t happening!”
“Linc,” his wife murmured.
Nadia shook her head at him. “Which is it, Dad? Do you have a problem with his race? Or what he does for a living?”
“Both!”
“So let me get this straight. You can watch Reid’s games, cheer for him and root for his team to win the Stanley Cup. But you won’t allow him to date your daughter?”
“Damn right!”
Nadia narrowed her eyes. “I wonder if you’d have this much of a problem if Nelson brought home a white woman.”
Her father glared at her. “That wouldn’t happen. Nelson knows better.”
“Does he?” Nadia smirked. “That’s probably news to him, considering that he dated several white girls in college.”
Her father looked astonished, then hurt, then angry. Clenching his jaw, he turned and pointed accusingly at his wife. “I knew we should have insisted on sending that boy to Howard or Morehouse! Both of them should have gone to an HBCU!”
“Well, we didn’t,” Nadia said defiantly. “And graduating from an HBCU wouldn’t have guaranteed us marrying another black person.”
“Marriage?” her father thundered incredulously. “I hope to God you’re not actually thinking of marrying that white boy, Nadia! Over my dead body!”
Nadia had heard enough.
Rising to her feet, she squared her shoulders and looked her father in the eye. “Your concern for my well-being is understandable,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion she couldn’t conceal. “But your bigotry is inexcusable. You don’t know the first thing about Reid. But I do, and I want to be with him. If you can’t respect my choice, then I don’t need to be here.”
With that, she snatched her handbag off the counter and strode from the kitchen.
“Darling, wait.” Her mother came after her, catching her halfway to the front door. “Please don’t leave.”
Nadia turned around, embarrassed to feel tears stinging behind her eyelids. “I have to go, Ma. I can’t stay here.”
“Of course you can. This is your home.”
“It doesn’t feel like home right now.” Nadia swiped a hand under her nose. “I knew Dad wouldn’t be thrilled about my relationship with Reid. But I wasn’t expecting him to go ballistic and say all those awful things.”
“You know he wasn’t trying to hurt you,” her mother entreated. “You’re his little girl, Nadia, and you always will be. He just wants what’s best for you.”
“I used to believe that,” Nadia said bitterly. “Now I’m beginning to think he only wants what’s best for him.”
“Now you know that’s not true. Your father loves you very much. He’s only trying to protect you. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt again, and neither do I.”
“But what about all those things he said about Reid’s race? Please don’t tell me you agree with him!”
Her mother winced, then sighed. “I’ve known your father for thirty years, so I understand where he’s coming from, and I know he doesn’t have any hate in his heart toward anyone. He has a lot of racial pride, something he has always tried to instill in you and your brother. But I admit that he can be a little old-fashioned and stubborn at times.”
“A little?”
“Okay. A lot.” Her mother looked rueful. “The point is, your father’s going to need time to get used to the idea of you dating someone like Reid.” She paused, searching Nadia’s eyes. “Is it serious?”
Nadia swallowed tightly. “I don’t know. We just started dating. But…” She trailed off with a helpless shake of her head.
Her mother nodded perceptively. “I can see how much he means to you. The way you spoke about him was very…revealing.” She took Nadia’s face between her hands. “You’re a grown woman, darling, so I can’t tell you who to love or how to live your life. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
Two tears escaped and rolled down Nadia’s cheek. “I don’t,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’m doing, and that scares the hell out of me. But I’m willing to take a chance on Reid because I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Oh, baby.” Her mother gathered her close and gave her a long hug, then pulled back and ran a gentle thumb under Nadia’s eyes, wiping her tears away. “I’m going back to the kitchen to talk to your father. Why don’t you stop by the restroom and fix your mascara, then come join everyone downstairs to watch the game.”
Nadia sniffled and nodded, then turned and made her way across the foyer toward the powder room. She didn’t think anything of the closed door because her mother always kept it that way to preserve the plug-in air freshener.
So she opened the door without knocking, then gasped at the sight of Nelson and Bianca locked in a steamy embrace. Her brother had Bianca pressed up against the pedestal sink as he kissed her from behind, making her moan as he fondled her ample breasts.
“Oh, God! Sorry!” Nadia slapped her hand over her eyes and quickly pulled the door shut.
Her retinas were still burning several moments later when Nelson and Bianca emerged from the bathroom with sheepish grins. Tugging their clothes back into place, they cleared their throats and said awkwardly, “Uh, sorry about that.”
“No, it’s my fault,” Nadia mumbled, her eyes downcast. “I should have knocked.”
“Well, ye— Wait, what?” Nelson was surprised. “That’s it? No jokes about how we should get a room? No sarcastic reminders that my old bedroom is just upstairs?”
Nadia could only manage a wan smile.
“Hey.” Nelson cupped her chin and lifted her face, his eyes probing hers. “Everything okay?”
Nadia swallowed. “Mom and Dad found out about Reid.”
“What?”
Bianca touched his arm. “That’s what I was trying to tell you before we got, ah, sidetracked.”
Nelson gave Nadia a grim look. “I know Dad wasn’t happy. What did he say?”
She sighed. “What didn’t he say?”
Nelson frowned. “Do you want me to talk to him?”
She shook her head. “It won’t do any good.”
“Maybe not, but—”
“I am so sorry about that, Nadia,” Ana interrupted, coming up to her. She was holding an empty plate and looking guilt-stricken. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”
“It’s okay,” Nadia murmured. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know,” Ana fretted, “but I feel so bad that your mom and aunt saw my sister’s text before I could take the phone back. I know this wasn’t the way you wanted your parents to find out about you and Reid.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Nadia admitted with a grimace. “But they had to find out eventually anyway. Better sooner than later, I guess.”
Ana pursed her lips, studying her. After another moment she turned to Nelson. “Can you do me a favor? Can you fix Luke another plate and—”
Nelson snorted. “You must be crazy. I’m not serving that dude. That’s your job, wifey.”
“Nelson,” Bianca chided.
“Just kidding.” Grinning, Nelson took the empty plate from Ana and headed off to the kitchen with Bianca.
“Let’s chat.” Ana took Nadia’s hand and led her across the entry hall to her father’s study. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting golden stripes across the dark wood furniture and family pictures hung on the walls.
Ana closed the French doors and turned to face Nadia. “I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement because I know what you’re going through right now. It’s painful when your parents don’t approve of your relationship. My parents weren’t happy about me dating Luke, and they didn’t take the news well when we got engaged. My mother’s slowly coming around, but my father’s still pretty upset. He’s even threatening to boycott the wedding.”
“Oh, no,” Nadia said sympathetically. “I’m really sorry to hear that, Ana. I didn’t know it was that bad.”
Ana winced. “Luke and I agreed not to tell anyone so there wouldn’t be too much friction at family gatherings.” She sighed. “To be honest, I don’t think his parents are too crazy about our engagement either.”
“Really?” Nadia was surprised. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, one day when Luke and I were over at his parents’ house, we overheard his mom on the phone with one of her sorors. They were talking about the wedding, and I guess her friend must have asked her if I was black. Luke’s mom seemed reluctant to answer the question. When she finally did, she sounded…I don’t know. Embarrassed? Ashamed? Defensive? Her friend must have made a negative comment, because Luke’s mom sighed and said, ‘Well, at least she’s not white.’”
Nadia cringed. “Ouch. I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“So was I.” Ana gave a wry grimace. “I’m not gonna lie. I was hurt at first, and I wanted to leave right then and there. But Luke talked me out of it and told me not to take it personal. I think his parents genuinely like me as a person. They just had different expectations for who their son would marry. My parents feel the same way. But it doesn’t matter because Luke and I love each other, and what doesn’t break us can only make us stronger.” She smiled at Nadia. “At the end of the day, all that matters is how you and Reid feel about each other. If it has to be you and him against the world, so be it.”
Nadia gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Ana. I really appreciate the pep talk.”
Ana grinned. “Hey, we’re gonna be cousins soon. We gotta stick together.” She gave Nadia a warm hug, then pulled back and winked playfully. “If things don’t work out between me and Luke, maybe you can introduce me to one of Reid’s teammates. Those Rebels are muy caliente!”
Laughing, the two women left the study and headed downstairs to the large, comfortably furnished basement. The others were gathered around the humongous flatscreen television, booing and shouting over a bad call on the field.
When Nadia and Ana appeared, all heads swiveled in their direction, the game momentarily forgotten.
“Is it true?” Lennox asked, staring at Nadia in amazement. “Are you really going out with Reid Holden?”
Heat raced up her neck and spread across her cheeks. “I am,” she murmured.
Lennox shared an incredulous look with Luke and Uncle Lavell, who sat beside him on the large leather sectional.
“Wow,” all three men exclaimed.
Nadia met her father’s eyes across the room. He was sitting next to her mother on the loveseat. Eden divided a glance between father and daughter, then got up wordlessly and went to sit with Aunt Sherise on the ottoman by the fireplace.
As Nadia stood there sullenly eyeing her father, his expression softened. He patted the empty cushion beside him.
She hesitated a long moment, then grudgingly crossed the room and joined him on the loveseat. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugged her close and kissed her temple.
“You know I love you, baby girl,” he murmured gruffly.
She sighed, resting her head against his sturdy chest. “I know.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I apologize for that.”
She swallowed tightly. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I still don’t approve of this relationship of yours.”
She gave a resigned sigh and shook her head. “I know.”
“I just want you to understand—” He broke off to watch as Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas caught a deep pass for a touchdown. The room erupted into cheers. Scarlett and all the men jumped to their feet, clapping boisterously and slapping high fives.
After the celebration had died down, Luke looked over at Nadia and grinned. “So when, where and how did you meet Reid Holden?”
She couldn’t help smiling. “I met him about two weeks ago when I went to practice with Nelson.”
Her father shot Nelson a disgruntled look. “So this is your fault.”
Nelson’s sheepish grin made everyone laugh.
“We’d love to meet Reid,” Aunt Sherise said. “Why don’t you bring him to Thanksgiving dinner?”
“That’s a great idea,” Ana enthused.
“Well, um…” Nadia saw her father’s jaw tense, brows furrowing with displeasure. “I’ll have to check his game schedule. He might not even be in town.”
“Well, find out and let us know,” her aunt urged.
“I will,” Nadia promised.
Her father grunted. “You haven’t known him long enough to be inviting him over for Thanksgiving.”
Nadia knew there was no point in arguing with him. So she said nothing.
Luke grinned teasingly at his uncle. “Reid’s one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, and he has endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade. Are you sure you wouldn’t want him for a son-in-law?”
Nadia’s father scowled. “I’ve made myself perfectly clear. Now let me watch the damn game in peace.”
His peace would be short-lived.
During the next commercial break, Reid’s Gatorade spot debuted. The moment it came on, Nadia felt a thrill of excitement that had her sitting up, her eyes glued to the television.
The commercial opened with a shot of Reid lacing up his skates, his knuckles raw and bruised, his jaw set with determination.
A deep male voiceover posed a single question: “Can you feel it?”
Then viewers were suddenly thrust into the action as two hockey teams skated around a rink, battling for control of the puck. The sounds of the game rushed through the television with Dolby clarity: the echo of sticks clashing, the swish of sharp blades cutting into the ice, the grunts of the players, the thud of bodies colliding as blood and sweat flew. The imagery was raw and in your face, a smorgasbord of testosterone-fueled violence.
The camera focused on Reid bearing down on an opposing forward. His single-minded determination was palpable, reaching through the television to grab viewers by the throat. A second later he delivered one of his devastating body-checks, slamming the faceless player into the boards.
The camera reversed to show a crowd roaring in approval and pounding on the Plexiglas framing the rink.
After stealing the puck from his opponent, Reid raced toward the goal with power and speed, his skates spraying showers of ice into the air.
The narrator demanded again, “Can you feel it?”
Reid skillfully deked the goalie and blasted the shot into the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Seconds later the screen flashed to him in black and white, standing in a tunnel after the game without his helmet and jersey. He was breathing hard, muscular biceps gleaming with sweat, head tilted back as he chugged down a bottle of Gatorade. His rocket tattoo glowed bright blue, reminding viewers of his nickname.
Nadia’s skin broke out into goose bumps.
The final shot was a close-up of Reid glaring into the camera, sweat dripping off his hard jaw. The camera narrowed to focus on his electrifying blue eyes. They were icy with menace, seemingly daring the next opponent to step into his arena.
“Can you feel it?” the narrator whispered almost tauntingly. “Feel the Ice…”
The stylized “Ice Series” logo flashed across the screen, then everything faded to black.
After a stunned moment, a round of cheers and applause broke out across the room.
“Yo, that was dope!” Nelson exclaimed.
“I’m feeling it,” Scarlett declared with lusty appreciation. “I’m definitely feeling it!”
All the women laughed in agreement.
Nadia’s father merely grunted, arms folded across his chest.
Lennox grinned at him. “What’s wrong, Uncle Lincoln? You’re not impressed?”
“Not particularly.”
“Aw, c’mon, Dad,” Nelson teased. “You know that commercial was dope. Stop frontin’ like you didn’t like it.”
“Boy, please,” his father grumbled.
Everyone laughed.
“The commercial just blew up on Twitter,” Bianca announced excitedly, staring down at her phone. As a marketing rep, she was always plugged into social media. “The hashtags CanYouFeelIt, HawtRocket and GatoradeIce are trending like crazy!”
Nadia and Nelson grinned. “Really?”
“Yes! And the Falcons must have a late game, because Mason Wolf just saw the commercial and tweeted out ‘Like a boss!’ How cool is that?”
“Very cool,” Nadia agreed, taking out her phone. Angling her body away from her father’s disapproving eyes, she sent a quick text to Reid: Just saw ur commercial! OMG! Loved it!!!
She didn’t expect to hear back from him right away. So she was beyond thrilled when her phone buzzed moments later. She eagerly read his reply.
Thanks, babe. Glad u enjoyed it.
Grinning, she typed: It was hella intense. And u looked scary at the end!
He texted back a bunch of devil emojis.
She laughed and wrote: Psycho.
“Aww,” Bianca cooed teasingly. “Look at her over there texting her man.”
Nadia glanced up and saw nine pairs of eyes staring at her. She blushed hard.
“Tell him that commercial was on fleek,” Nelson said.
Reid sent another message, drawing her gaze back to the phone. Where r u?
At my parents’ house watching the game, she responded. Broncos are up by 7. Where r u?
At a bar watching the Giants game, he wrote back. We tried to bribe the bartender to change the channel. No haps.
Nadia chuckled. Ur in New York to play the Rangers, she teasingly reminded him. Ur lucky they let u guys into the bar at all.
Lol. True. There was a pause. I miss u.
Her stomach fluttered and her breath caught.
Smiling softly, she texted back: I miss u too.
He’d only been gone four days, but it might as well have been four weeks. She missed him so much. Missed his smile, his voice, his smell, his touch. The next six days were going to be pure hell without him.
He texted back: I wanna hear ur voice, but it’s too loud in here to have a decent convo. I’ll call u when I get back to the hotel.
Ok, she responded with a smiley emoji. Can’t wait.
She tucked her phone into her pocket, then felt her cheeks grow warm when she saw that everyone was still watching her instead of the game.
“I just checked the Rebels’ schedule,” Ana cheerfully announced, “and they’ll be home for Thanksgiving. That means you can invite Reid to dinner.”
Nadia snuck a glance at her father, who was frowning. “We’ll see.”
“If he does come,” Lennox joked, “you’d better keep a close eye on your pops just in case he tries to poison Reid’s food.”
Everyone laughed.
Even Nadia’s father looked amused this time. Leaning back on the loveseat, he folded his hands across his stomach and drawled, “Don’t give me any ideas.”