“We’re getting married,” I repeated.

Gabby’s dark lashes blinked rapidly. Repeatedly. “Um.”

“Congratulations?” Joey asked. His tanned skin paled and next to him, his wife Gabby reached out and curled her hand around his elbow.

“I know it’s a shock,” I told them all, the men behind them with their brows raised, and the women, some with champagne glasses frozen at their mouths. Others with their jaws dropped wide open. “But it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Um.” Gabby’s dark brown eyes continued to bounce back and forth faster than her husband could dribble a puck. “Hi. I’m Gabby,” she said, and held out her hand to Emmersyn.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, and they shook hands.

It took Gabby two point three seconds to break into a smile. “Welcome to the crazy family. It seems like you’ll fit right in.”

Leave it to Gabby to break the ice. There were chuckles, awkward ones that fell flat, and Emmersyn shifted back and forth on her heels as she stepped back.

So maybe I could have handled this differently, but what the hell was the point.

I glanced down at her. “Sorry. Maybe we should have stuck with the plan.”

She shrugged and tugged at the end of her braided hair that was draped over one shoulder. That shoulder was bare and showed off a tan she’d started to get in the last few days from spending the afternoons while I was at the gym and with the team laying out by the pool. “It’s okay. Really.”

She grinned up at me, back at Gabby and that smile wobbled as she realized everyone was still staring at us.

“Right,” I muttered. Yeah, I’d fucked that up. But what the hell. We had to get married in less than a week, and we needed my team’s help along with their spouses and girlfriends in order to get it done. “How about you all stop staring at us, get Emmersyn a drink, and we can explain everything.”

“Oh no,” Gabby said and she was joined by Garrett’s wife, Lizzie. She had a toddler on her hip and I had no clue if it was Archer or Gavin, their twins. “You, my dear, are coming with us.”

She reached out and grabbed hold of Emmersyn’s hand and tugged her away from me.

“Nothing to worry about, Andrews! She’s in good hands.”

Emmersyn’s eyes were wide, partly with fear, based on the twist of her lips, and equal amusement.

“Take care of her,” I told Lizzie and received a snort from her in response.

As soon as Gabby and Lizzie were gone, and the other women filtered toward the kitchen where I assumed they went, twelve sets of eyes turned back to me.

“Want to explain?” Garrett asked. “She’s got stitches on her face.”

Stitches I couldn’t wait until she could get removed so I didn’t have the constant reminder of what happened to her. “Caught her fiancé cheating, and he didn’t take it well.”