Playing to Win

want to get my hopes up.”
    “I think you should definitely get your hopes up. It’s going to be a great season and you should be positive and hopeful about it.”
    He kissed her again, this time wrapping his arms around her and giving her a deep kiss that curled her toes and made her hotterthan the weather outside. When he pulled back, she licked her lips and tried to calm her rapid pulse.
    “You’re good for me. And my ego.”
    She laughed and laid her hand on his chest. “I don’t think your ego has ever needed any boosting.”
    His lips curled. “You ready to go?”
    “Yes. Is there anything I should bring?”
    “No. There will be a ton of food and drink at the bar. And family, too. It should be pretty crazy, especially since Mick’s game is tonight.”
    “I can’t wait.”
    Riley’s Sports Bar was an amazing place and, as Cole had warned, absolutely packed with people, a mix of both customers and Cole’s family. His parents were there, along with his sister, Alicia, as well as his aunt Kathleen and uncle Jimmy, who owned the bar. His cousin Jenna was bartending, Jenna’s fiancé Tyler was helping her. Tara was there, too, surrounded by the family in protective mode. They grabbed seats at a huge table reserved for the family.
    Savannah met Tara’s son, Nathan, a very handsome teenager who smiled at her, shook her hand, stayed long enough to be polite and exchange a few sentences, then ran off with his cousins to play games in the back room.
    Cole got her a seat, then went off to get them drinks. She figured she likely wouldn’t see him for a while since he was being congratulated by his family and several of the patrons.
    “Come sit by us,” Alicia said.
    “Thank you.” She changed tables, since Cole had found them a cozy table for two. They had plenty of time to be alone later. She’d much rather sit with his family.
    “It’s a madhouse, isn’t it?”
    She grinned at Tara. “It’s amazing. You must love it.”
    Tara laid a hand on her belly, which had expanded some since she’d met her the night of Elizabeth’s wedding. “I do love it. Iunashamedly adore this family. My own left a lot to be desired, so I was always sad not to be able to give Nathan a big extended family.”
    Tara looked around. “Now we have all this. Nathan loves the Rileys. They’ve accepted him as their own and have since the beginning.”
    Savannah could imagine they would. The Rileys seemed to have an unending capacity for love and acceptance.
    “And with the new baby coming, I feel like the luckiest woman alive. He or she will never lack for love.”
    Savannah saw Cole sandwiched between his father and uncle, talking with Ty at the bar. Their gazes were glued to the action on the TV. “I can see why.”
    “Do you have a big family, Savannah?” Alicia asked.
    Savannah pulled her attention away from Cole and back to the women. “No. It was just me and my mom.”
    “So this might be overwhelming to you.”
    “Not really. I find it all just a little bit wonderful.”
    Tara laughed. “So did I when I first met them. I have to admit it wasn’t just Mick I fell in love with, it was his entire family. And when Mick and I decided to get married, we figured it would be best to relocate here—for Nathan’s sake and for mine.”
    “Mick plays for San Francisco, right?”
    “Yes. And that’s where my business was. But he knew how much his family meant to me, and to Nathan. And his season is only a few months out of the year. With only half of his games being at home, it made sense to make our home here, where the family was. Now that I’m pregnant, I’m so glad we’re in St. Louis. Otherwise I’m pretty sure his mother would have packed up and moved in with us.”
    Savannah laughed. “I take it she’s excited.”
    “Beyond thrilled. Which in turn thrills me.” Tara’s eyes filled with tears and she blinked. “Sorry. Damn hormones.”
    Alicia put her arm around Tara. “I think it’s normal to be like this when you’re pregnant, honey.”
    “Oh, god, you’re not getting weepy again, are you?” Liz pulled up a seat at their table and kissed Tara on the cheek. “I swear to god, woman, you’re like a walking faucet.”
    “I know. I can’t help it. Everything makes me happy lately, and when I’m happy, I cry.” Tara looked across the table at Savannah, then shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
    “I don’t think you should ever apologize for being happy. Or for being pregnant and