(a/n: let's just pretend that tyler and fiona are in their 60-70's and the rest is set in 2021 lol)
・・・
Jaquella cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention. "So, Trevor. Since you like my brothers, I might as well tell you a little bit about them. To start, you're probably thinking that they're being nice and all, but the truth is my dad might've told them to maintain their control, even though he also doesn't like the idea of us being too close."
The whole family looked at Tyler and he just rolled his eyes, shaking his head, causing the entire dining room full of laughter. Tyler gave Jaquella a look of surprise and yet kept his mouth shut to hear what she had to say.
She continued, "However, just like you, Trevor-they're hockey players-of course they get out of control. But Nick, he improved a bit ever since he got married to Tabitha's cousin. I'd say he turned into a softie."
Everyone hummed in agreement and all jumped in, not giving a damn to let Nick discuss from his perspective.
"Hey!" He exclaimed, cutting everyone off and then turning his attention to his sister as he pointed his finger at her, a look of warning. "That's not true, by the way. I just changed after I got married-what's the point." He defended.
Jaquella brought herself closer to Trevor and whispered to his ear loudly on purpose, "He's got kids too."
Nick scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes as he slammed his spoon on his plate while everyone laughed as the table shook.
"Anyway, Braxton here has fought over a good nine hundred players in his entire career. He's way tougher than you think, so I suggest don't get into his head." Jaquella chuckled. "He hasn't met his girl yet."
Braxton quickly huffed, "I don't know why I even told you about my personal life." He rubbed his forehead in frustration and Tyler burst into laughter.
Jaquella raised her brow. "Cause I'm your favourite." She replied in a duh tone, rolling her eyes and Trevor chuckled, lightly shaking his head. "Anyway, we'll get back there, Brax." More laughter came along when he huffed once again.
"Alright, now to Manu." Jaquella's smile grew as he facepalmed.
"Oh, no." He said and everyone laughed.
"I mean for Manu, nothing is new. But I do remember when we were in Toronto, you know, to support him and Armo and all, they almost got into a fight during the game." Jaquella paused while Trevor raised his forehead in incredulity.
He never expected this ever. This family was getting interesting.
She continued, "Mostly because Marchand was chirping at Armo that Manu turned to defend him but Marchand got in the way and my two brothers gave each other bruises."
Nick chuckled. "From that night, we agreed on that we'd stop watching them, only when we would play against the Bruins, but except for our dad, he's still rocking for them."
"He's not wrong, honestly," Tyler responded, shrugging his shoulders, and earning a few of laughter.
Manu sighed, roaming his hand through his hair. "Brad's not that bad when we're off the ice. He's actually really funny and genuine." Jaquella gave him a look. "But he can be an asshole sometimes." He added, rolling his eyes.
"First of all, you didn't have to expose us." Braxton jumped in, his brow raised and it was Jaquella's turn to roll her eyes, playfully.
"Lastly for Armo, nothing is new as well. But he's just overall excited about winning two Cups in a row. Until then, he has nothing to worry about, except losing to horrible teams." She chuckled as Armo shook his head, ignoring what she said about his team.
Once Jaquella had finally finished the family story-telling, they went on to have a bunch of conversations with themselves while she and Trevor carried on, just the two of them catching up as before.
"Oh, I just remembered. Who are you playing with this off-season." She asked him, quietly once her arm were intertwined with his under the table.
"The Jets, why?" He replied, a slight frown on his face, ignoring the chills he received when Jaquella touched him gently. "You have a friend there?"
She smiled, "Yeah, Pierre." Trevor's eyes quickly widened.
"Pierre-Luc Dubois? Him?" He asked, full of surprise.
"Yeah." She confirmed and knew exactly what he was thinking. "Don't look at me like that, he's dating my friend."
Trevor deepened the frown, "He's dating Tabitha? I thought she was single."
"No, not T. My other friend from college, I introduced her to Tabitha before she started dating Pierre. We haven't seen each other in two years and since you're playing with the Jets soon, I thought why not visit her in Winnipeg." She explained and Trevor understood, catching on.
He smiled, forming some dimples on his cheeks and Jaquella had melted every time she saw those. "Are you going to support me?" He asked, cutely.
"Of course." Jaquella laughed, patting his arm lightly as she grabbed an apple juice and poured it into her glass.
She took a sip and watched her brothers depart from their conversation, turning their full attention to the guy next to their sister.
Armo cleared his throat. "So, Trevor. Have you ever kissed my sister?" With zero hesitation, Jaquella nearly spat the juice out of her mouth and quickly covered it with her hand.
"Armando!" Fiona exclaimed, slapping his arm. She wasn't expecting that from her son's mouth, no one did.
Jaquella went to grab a paper towel and wiped the juice on her arm and some parts of the table, giving a glare to her brother while she did so.
Trevor shifted in his seat uncomfortably, narrowing his eyes between the two siblings sharing looks at each other.
Trevor cleared his throat, "Um-" he began.
"You don't have to answer him, Trevor." Jaquella cut him off before he could say anything else.
Trevor just gave her a nod, gently rubbing her forearm under the dinner table. Jaquella sighed in relief when she felt the warmth, the feeling bringing her down.
"I mean, we're just friends," Trevor spoke, shrugging his shoulders. "Nothing new." He mumbled and Armo simply hummed.
He had no reason to believe Trevor that as he glanced at the two sitting next to each other way too close, Armo thought.
But he noticed the looks his sister had every time she looked at Trevor. Her eyes sparkled within a moment, her lips forming a smile so bright that her cheeks began hurting.
She looked so happy and careless around him as if she was this new person so there was no need to ruin whatever she had for herself anyway.
Once the family brought themselves into a whole conversation together, it was just Jaquella and Trevor only again. Their little world is only from them and no one to invade.
He cleared his throat, slowly shifting closer to her as his arm nearly fell on hers. Jaquella noticed and raised her brow, glancing at him.
"I have something to tell you, Ella." He whispered, almost half of his face covered behind her ear. She hummed, giving him a chance to continue. "I like you."
