Page 64 of Rookie Moves

My mom rushes over and wraps me in a hug, squeezing until I cough.

“Breathing would be useful.” I grimace but return her hug nonetheless.

She eases up her hold on me but doesn’t let me go. My dad joins us, clapping my shoulder with his hand.

“Good to see you, kid.”

“I didn’t know you were coming,” I admit, suddenly feeling emotional at their appearance.

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” my dad responds.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tyler watching. There’s a smile on his face, but there’s a sad glimmer in his eye.

Fuck. I feel like an asshole, parading my supportive parents in front of him.

“We’re so proud of you, sweetie,” my mom says. She’s already got tears forming in her eyes.

“Callie’s joining us tomorrow night. She couldn’t get the time off work,” Dad says.

My sister works at a club in Manhattan where she manages their VIP parties. It’s rare she ever takes time off because she doesn’t trust anyone to run it as efficiently in her absence, so knowing she’s dragging herself away to come and support me means a lot.

“Do you have time to join us for lunch?” My mom points to the restaurant connected to the hotel lobby.

I pull out my phone to check the itinerary. “Uh, yeah. I need to keep an eye on the time, though. I have a video session soon.”

“We’ll be done by then.” Mom smiles.

Tyler gives me a small nod before making his way toward the elevators, and something pulls in my chest.

I don’t want him to go, but how can I explain to my parents who Tyler is to me? If I invite him, would it look odd that I haven’t invited any of my other teammates to lunch with my parents?

I glance around the lobby. Several of my teammates have split up, talking to other groups of people who must be their parents or family. Tyler is only one of a few who are heading to the elevators. The other guys are those whose families live in Europe.

My dad must pick up on my hesitation because he follows my gaze. “What is it, kid?”

“Would it be weird to ask if my friend can come with us? I share a room with him.”

“Of course he can, sweetie,” Mom says.

I unlock my phone and quickly fire off a text to Tyler.

Would it be crazy if you came to lunch with my parents?

When he reaches the elevator banks, he pulls out his phone, then lifts his head to look over at me. His brows furrow in a silent question. Are you sure?

I nod.

He says something to the others, then waves them inside the elevator when the doors slide open. He waits for them to close before walking over to where we’re standing.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. McKay.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Tyler.”

“None of that formality. I’m Grace, and this is Jamie.”

“Tyler Beckmann,” my dad says, shaking his hand and clapping his other on Tyler’s shoulder. “That goal during the regionals? Fucking hell, that was a beauty.”

“Is there any need to use that language, Jamie?” my mom scolds.

My dad ignores her and continues to praise Tyler to the point his cheeks turn a little pink.