The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(26)

Emilia had never spoken much about her family to me. She'd made passing references, and I had an idea that they weren't very close. Whenever I asked her questions about them, she'd always find ways to avoid answering. What I was seeing made me question all those assumptions.

Her family seemed very proud and affectionate. They all surrounded her like she was the most important person in the room. Emilia turned around and noticed me standing by myself, and held her arm out to me. Everyone's attention turned in my direction. Her mother let out a loud yelp, and let go of Emilia as she hurried over to me.

"Oh my God! Look at you!" she practically squealed. "Where are our manners? You must be Robert. Or is it Rob? Can I call you Robbie? My God Joey, look at him. Isn't he the most adorable thing you've ever seen?"

I was taken aback by her greeting and was slightly fearful. Never, in all my years, had anyone ever called me adorable. I didn't know what to think. So I just stood there, probably looking like a deer caught in the headlights. But my years of proper etiquette came back to me, and I was able to take her hand in somewhat of a dignified way.

"Thank you so much for your warm welcome," I said.

Her mother flushed and fanned herself with her free hand. "Ooh will you get a load of that," she said looking around at the room. "So handsome and polite. You can call me Carmen. Come sit, sit!"

I followed her to the couch where she shooed away some sullen looking teenagers and made room for me. Emilia was pushed forward and prodded to take the seat next to me.

"Someone call Grandpa Jimmy over," her mother shouted.

"Ma! Come on, why are you making such a big scene? I'm sure Rob doesn't want to feel like a circus animal at a zoo," Emilia complained.

"Who said anything about circus animals? I just wanted him to meet Grandpa. You don't mind do you?" she asked looking at me.

"Not at all," I said, smiling politely.

Emilia looked up at me with narrowed eyes and my smile widened even more. It was a universal truth that at any age, parents could still be embarrassing. I knew from firsthand experience how true that was. Still, it was a nice change of pace to see Emilia around people who didn't give a damn that she was a movie star.

I had to remember not to give Emilia too hard of a time since our own meeting with my mother and family was looming ahead. At that thought, I composed my face in a more respectable, somber look, and tried to look politely interested.

Grandpa Jimmy was a leathery old firecracker. I'd been expecting some hunched over, frail looking man, but this guy was like Jack LaLanne on steroids. He strutted into the room and headed straight for the couch, where he pulled Emilia up and spun her around in circles. She laughed unrestrainedly, and it was such a nice change of pace to see her looking so genuinely happy and relaxed, that I didn't notice when he'd put her down. He pulled me up to my feet, and started throwing jabs at my torso. I assumed he thought it was a playful manner, but it really hurt.

"And who is this guy right here who thinks he's good enough for my granddaughter?" he asked still throwing punches. The first few punches surprised me, and I groaned in shock, but was soon able to fend him off.

"Grandpa! Stop that!" Emilia said.

Grandpa Jimmy thankfully let up on his assault and reached around my neck to pull me in. "Aw sweetheart, I was just playing. They were just light taps, right Sonny?" he asked me, rubbing the top of my head with his knuckles. It was an awkward position to be in since he was a good half foot shorter than me, so I had to twist my neck down.

"Of course," I grunted.

Grandpa Jimmy finally released me, but that wasn't going to be the end of it, it seemed. Word had already got around that Emilia and I had arrived, and now a new slew of guests came pouring in from the kitchen and other areas of the house. I had no idea how so many people could fit in such a small space. It reminded me of a clown car; except it was a house, and these people weren't wearing rubber noses or face paint.

"Auntie!" A young girl came whirling toward us and threw her arms around Emilia's waist. I didn't get a good look at her. All I saw was a blur of black hair and pink dress. She must have been around 10 years old. Emilia let out the second genuine smile I'd seen as she picked up the girl and showered her with hugs and kisses.

"Sammy! I've missed you so much!" Emilia said.

"I've missed you too! Come on, I want to show you my new room. Nana let me redecorate it!" she said, grabbing Emilia's hand and leading her away.

I stood there watching their backs as they made their way out of the living room, toward the stairs. Emilia threw me an apologetic look and shrugged, before she climbed the steps behind Sammy.

Wonderful, I thought miserably. I was stuck with her family now. It wasn't as if I didn't like them, but I'd never encountered any one like them before. They were all so loud, and brash, and in your face. As if proving my point, Emilia's mother grabbed my hand again and led me around the room to introduce me to everyone. And I meant everyone. After the 30th person, my eyes began to glaze over. We finally made it to a slight, older woman sitting in one of those E-Z chairs by the fireplace.

"And this is Grandma Claire," Carmen introduced.

"It's nice to meet you," I began, rehashing the same lines I'd used on the dozens of other people I'd already met.