Buttoning up my shirt, I walk into Ash's bathroom. She is currently straightening her hair and finishing her makeup. It's Christmas Eve and Ash's Aunt has an annual Christmas Eve dinner party that Ash and her family always go to. And of course, since I'm here, I get to go as well.

I look at Ash's concentrated stare in the mirror as she focuses on which piece of hair to fix next. A light smile grows on my face when her eyes find me in the mirror. She smiles and I smile back.

"Well look at you," she comments, placing her straightener down on the counter and watching me through the mirror.

She's wearing this brown oversized type sweater and black jeans with holes only on the knees. Her green eyes are made up with minimal makeup which brightens her eyes. "You look hot." I say nonchalantly and she laughs.

"Thank you," she says. She turns around and examines my attire. "I really like that green shirt on you," she compliments on my forest green button up shirt.

I walk up to her and place a kiss on her soft lips. "Thanks babe. Merry Christmas Eve."

Her whole face lights up. "Merry Christmas Eve!" She says excitedly. She then turns back around to finish her hair.

Once she's finished, I follow her to her room where she grabs her purse and puts on some brown boots and we walk down the stairs.

As we reach the end of the staircase we hear Ash's mom yell, "It's almost time to go! Be in the car in five minutes!"

The drive to Ash's Aunt's house was quiet but I hear Ash hum to the Christmas music playing on the radio. Holding onto my hand, she looks out at the window.

We pull up to a house that's pretty big from the looks of it. I gape at the size but try and keep my mouth shut.

"It's big huh?" Ash says. "I thought the same thing when I came here for the first time."

I lean into her and put an arm around her shoulders. "It is big, but," I lean in to whisper into her ear. "I think I like the guest room at your house better." I smirk when I feel her tense.

Okay, so Ash, may have snuck into the guest room the last two nights. It was all her doing. Not me. But it might have been something to do with me spaming her phone.

An embarrassed blush rises on her cheeks and she bumps her hip into mine in a playful way, communicating her annoyance.

Ash's Aunt greets us at the door and Ash introduces me. "This is my boyfriend, Derek."

Her aunt grins. "Well it's nice to finally meet you! I'm Alice! Come on in you guys don't stand out in the cold."

The house is just as big as I imagine, but cozy nonetheless. Ash leads me to the kitchen and living room while her parents follow behind us.

A girl similar height to Ash and looks almost identical to Ash's aunt runs up to us. "Ash!" She looks at me. Her eyes widened. "Derek?" She asks.

I look at Ash who shrugs. "Uh yeah that's me."

Ash puts her hand in mine and I instantly relax. The girl introduces herself as Hallie. She's Ash's cousin. I get brought around to many family members, cousins, and spouses. I'm not totally sure I remember all the names but I'm starting to recognize who belongs to who. I've never had a big family like this. My mom only has one brother and he never had kids and my dad is an only child so I've never had cousins or so many aunts and uncles.

I excuse myself from Ash, who's talking to her grandmother and Hallie to get a drink. I head to the kitchen and grab a Dr. Pepper from the assortment of drinks. I lean back against the fridge, observing the room and taking a sip of my drink.

I hear footsteps come up next to me and see Ash's Aunt greet me with a small smile. She must have caught me looking at Ash.

"I know that look," she says fondly. "You love her." She states.

I look back at Ash, who is smiling and laughing at something her grandmother said. Her eyes squinting together and her smile lighting up the whole room. I smile softly to myself.

I turn back to Ash's Aunt. "I do," I say confidently. "I really do."

Alice smiles. "Ash has always been a quiet type. Doesn't have too many friends but thrives that way. She has had a few boys in the past cross her path but it freaked her out and she ended it. But with you," she says smiling in Ash's direction. "I didn't see any doubt in her eyes when she introduced you today and I don't think I've ever seen that look in her eyes."

Almost like Ash could sense us talking about her she turns her head. Eyes lighting up and she smiles. She turns back to Hallie and her grandmother, excusing herself from them and walking over to me. Alice says goodbye and once Ash walks over she's gone.

Once Ash reaches my side I tug her to me and put my arm around her shoulders. She gazes up at me. "What were you and Aunt Alice talking about?" She asks.

I shake my head. "Oh nothing, telling embarrassing stories about you." Ash's eyes widen and I laugh. "I'm kidding, she asked me if I wanted anything." I lie. I'm not sure why I did. I'm not used to this whole love thing and I think I knew the moment we crashed in my Jeep in the snow and the first thing I did was panic and freak out over how stupid I was to think I could drive in the snow and not keep the woman I loved safe.

Ash puffs out in relief. "Okay good, there's not need to tell those stories."

I give her a look. "Oh I'll figure them out." I give her an arrogant look. "I have my ways."

She rolls her eyes and scoffs.

"Derek Collins," I hear a voice say. I turn my head and see Jordan Brody of the Kingston Bills.

"Jordan Brody?" I ask, trying to connect the dots in my head.

"You two know each other?" Ash asked confused.

I nod. "Yeah, we played them a few weeks ago. I know I'm on the other team but man your shots were killer." I say and Jordan smiles.

"Thanks man," he says. "You too. Lil cuz, why didn't you tell me you were dating the Derek Collins?"

Ash shrugs. "I didn't think you two knew each other, and I forgot you went to that school."

Jordan fake gasps. "How dare you, Ash."

Ash just laughs and shakes her head.

Jordan chuckles. "I'm actually transferring to your school next semester." He says which raises my eyebrows. Jordan Brody on our line up? Coach might explode. But also, Jordan Brody, best player in the league so far even if he's only a sophomore, who just so happens to play my exact position. Really hoping my good skills can get me my playing time and scouting access in my senior year or I might lose it.

"Wait really?" Ash asks, shocked. "Why didn't your mom tell me?" She asks.

"It's recent and mama Alice thought I should tell you." He comments.

Jordan going to my school? I might lose a few brain cells. He's my cousin and I love him but he's kind of a dick. He's kind of how I pictured Derek in my head the first few times before I actually got to know him. Cocky, full of himself, and has a very interesting personality. Sometimes he actually kind of reminds me of Daphne. But only the good parts of him.

With him being 6'4, blonde, and athletically sculpted, he's a catch. He's only a year older than me but he's brought more girls home to the holidays than I can count. The girls at Teakwood will go nuts.

"My coach said he put in a good word for me and hopes I can at least practice with you guys for the rest of the season." He says and I look up at Derek who seems a little indifferent to the situation but his expression quickly changes.

"That's great man," he says. "Coach'll like you. He's a little tough at times but just let the insults roll off you."

Jordan chuckles. "Oh I'm good with a few insults, I think all good coaches are wired with them."

Derek and Jordan make small talk and jab at one another about their game against each other and a little bit later Aunt Alice calls for dinner.