“I’m happy for you, Austin. You deserve the best.” He slapped his brother on the back. “Quinn is perfect for you.” He glanced at the woman now holding Jenny and grinning as she spoke to her best friend.
“Your time will come,” Austin said, not subtly glancing at Evie. “I saw that kiss,” he said, his voice low. “I get keeping up appearances but don’t hurt her. Don’t put me in the middle of you and Quinn.”
Damon scowled. If either of them was going to get hurt, he had a hunch it would be him. Still, he resented his brother’s implication. “Don’t think so little of me,” he muttered. “I know how to treat a lady.”
“Not from what I’ve seen up until this point.”
Damon held up his hands. “Fine. Fair. But none of them were Evie.”
Austin’s eyes opened wide. “It’s serious between you?”
“It is for me. For her? I’ve convinced her we’re having fun for now. It’s the only way I could start to make inroads.” But Evie was worth the work and the effort. He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I’m trying to show her we can work.”
A slow grin lifted his brother’s lips. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Damon!” His mother, Christine, called his name, and Damon turned as Austin faced another well-wisher.
“Mom!” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look wonderful.” Wearing a simple patterned dress, her blondish-brown hair resting on her shoulders, his mother was beautiful as always.
“How’s my baby boy?” She patted his cheek and he groaned.
“Not a baby.”
“Okay, sorry. You’re all my babies. But seriously. How are you?” she asked with an amused smile.
He swallowed hard. “It’s rough,” he admitted to one of the few people he’d be truthful with. “I didn’t do it. The world thinks I did. My teammates think I let them down. I don’t know how Emerson will play and I’m sick over it all.”
She placed a hand on his cheek. “Listen to me, Damon Prescott. You are a strong man. You survived your tough father and you’ll get through this.”
“Mom—”
She shook her head. “I never said anything and I know this isn’t the place, but I’m sorry. Sorry I stayed. Sorry I thought I could temper his personality with you boys.”
“Don’t go there. It’s in the past.”
“But it made you tough, and because of that, I know you’ll handle this.” She managed a smile. “That said, I also notice you aren’t doing it alone. Who’s the woman I saw you kissing, hmm?”
“Yeah, Damon. Who did we see you kissing?” His brother, Jaxon, put one hand on their mother’s shoulder and another on Damon’s.
“Go away,” he jokingly said to his brother.
“No can do. I’m in town so here I am. Well? Who is she?”
Deciding he might as well introduce everyone, Damon gestured for Evie to come join them. She walked over, that long hair hanging over her shoulders, her brown eyes wide with curiosity.
“Evie Wolfe, I’d like you to meet my mother, Christine, and this moron is my brother, Jaxon. Mom, Jax, my … girlfriend, Evie.”
While everyone, including Evie, digested that introduction, Damon merely grinned. Sure, Evie probably thought his declaration was for show as they’d agreed while she investigated, but Damon knew it was fucking real. Otherwise he’d never introduce her to his mother as his girlfriend. He’d have fudged the wording and explained later. At least he didn’t feel like he was lying to his mother. Not on his end, anyway.
“Oh my goodness. It’s nice to meet you!” His mom pulled a shocked Evie into a hug.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Prescott. Jaxon.” Evie smiled at them, but Damon knew she wasn’t sure of herself. Which was fine. He had enough confidence for them both.
His mom frowned. “None of that Mrs. Prescott stuff. Call me Christine.”
“Hi, Evie. What do you see in my jerk of a brother?” Jaxon grinned. “I’m kidding. Damon has great taste.”
Evie blushed and Damon pulled her into a hug.
“And I can’t wait to get my girl alone. Dinner next time you’re in town?” Damon asked his brother. “Lord knows I have the time.” His stomach churned at the reason.
“You’d better believe it.” Jax stared at him, and Damon knew it was because he couldn’t believe his one-and-done brother had found and claimed a woman.
“I’ll call,” Damon promised.
Christine glanced at Evie. “I’d love to have lunch and get to know you better.”
“Oh. I…”
“I’ll give her your number,” Damon said, relieving Evie before she stuttered over her answer. “Listen, guys, I want to say goodbye to Austin and Quinn and get going. Talk to you both soon.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Evie said.
“Call me,” his mother reminded her. “Or I’ll get your number from Damon and call you.”
He grinned. Christine Prescott was persistent. Like it or not, Evie was in for a nice prying lunch with his mother.