He thought she would laugh, but his heart sank when she didn’t. He watched as she scrolled through the text messages, her brow furrowing more with each text. When she dropped the phone to her lap and turned to look at him, he knew she was going to say it.

That this was a mistake.

“I’ll deal with them later. Let’s call for food and then call your parents.”

“Really?” he blurted out, feeling like an idiot. This was real; they were real. He needed to stop worrying that she might leave.

She smiled. “Yeah, check your phone while I order.”

She leaned over, kissing his cheek, but before she could pull away, he asked, “Are you sure you are okay?”

She nodded earnestly. “Yes, nothing can ruin the mood I’m in right now. I love you and nothing can stop that. Not even my dad calling the cops on my husband.”

Relief flooded him as love poured out of his pores for her. “I’m so glad I abducted you to be my wife.”

She giggled as she nodded. “I know, and to think, you didn’t even have to drug me.”

“Yet,” he teased with a wink, and she grinned as she reached for the phone to order. While she told room service what they wanted, he clicked on his messages to find that he had a text from almost every player on the Assassins. All wishing him well and hoping that everything was okay. He was surprised that Elli hadn’t told them why he’d left, but then again, he was glad she didn’t. It was his news to share.

“I think once we have a house, we should have a reception, housewarming kind of thing,” he said more to himself than to her, but she nodded with a bright smile on her face.

“That would be fun— Yes, I need the chicken linguini,” she said, turning the page of the menu.

He kissed her temple again and then turned to see that he had a text from JT.

Thomas: Where the hell did you go?

Thomas: Did that chick break your heart again?

Thomas: Did you off yourself, you asshole?

Thomas: I really don’t like being ignored. You better be getting laid or dead.

Karson laughed to himself as he texted him back.

Karson: I’m fine. I’ll call you when I get back.

He didn’t expect JT to text him back since he was probably showering as the Assassins game had just ended. They had lost, and Karson couldn’t help feeling guilty that it was his fault since he wasn’t there. He then reminded himself that he had put hockey above Lacey before, and he refused to do it any longer. It was one game. It would be okay.

When he came to a text from Kacey, he clicked it and smiled at what she said.

Kacey: So. Um. You’re scratched from the game tonight. This means one of two things: Dinner with Lacey went well and I have a new sister-in-law or it went really bad and you offed yourself. Which is it? Inquiring minds need to know and plus Ma is freaking the shit out. Might want to call her. Love you!

Why did everyone think he would off himself?

“How did she know?” Lacey laughed from beside him. He looked over and kissed her nose.

“Kacey knows me and knows what I’ve wanted to do since I met you.”

Her cheeks warmed as she leaned her temple against his. “That’s sweet. What are you going to say?”

He smiled as he quickly texted Kacey back.

Karson: My wife and your new sister-in-law says hi! Love you too. I’ll call you in a bit. Gotta call Ma and Dad.

She texted back quickly.

Kacey: I knew it! HI LACEY!

Lacey smiled beside him, and he clicked his camera to where it was on them, causing Lacey to cover her face quickly. “I look like hell!”

“You look gorgeous, come on,” he urged, bringing her hands down. Holding her jaw in his hand, he brought his lips down to hers and kissed her as he took the picture. Kissing her nose, he pulled back and hit send, and Kacey texted back just as quickly.

Kacey: Aw! I can’t wait to see you two! Congrats! Ma is going to flip!

Karson: I know. Lol. It’s gonna be fun.

Kacey: for sure, call me tomorrow! I want to fly down and see you two once you’re settled.

Karson: Sounds good to us. :)

Kacey: :)

“When she says your mom is going to flip, she means that in a good way, right?”

He grinned as the nerves settled in his stomach. He wanted to believe that his mom would be happy for him, but he was pretty sure she was going to freak out that she wasn’t there. No need to let Lacey in on his fears, so with a nod, he said, “Sure.”

He then found the number to dial his mother, hitting the speaker so Lacey could hear as it rang.

Regina King answered on the second ring with a loud, “Karson Jett King, where the hell have you been! I’ve been calling since last night, and then when I saw that you were scratched from the game, your father and I were sick with worry! Kacey tried to convince us not to worry, but it was hard when my baby was missing.”

Karson laughed as he rolled his eyes. “Ma, I’m fine. I promise.”

“You say that, but why were you scratched? You don’t miss a game for anything!”

She was right. Even when he was sick, he played. But he’d miss a game to marry Lacey.

“I know,” he said slowly. “The thing is, Ma, I flew out to Vegas.”

She paused. “What the hell for? Karl, what the hell is in Vegas?”

Karson laughed as his father said, “I have no clue. Is that where he is?”

“Yes!” she screeched, causing Lacey to giggle. “What the hell is going on, Karson Jett! Is that a woman I hear?”