Page 53 of The Keeper and I
“Four hundred?” He almost stopped the car. “Where the fuck do you keep it all?”
“In the wine cellar,” she said as if it were obvious. She arched an eyebrow at him. “You’ve never been to a home like this, have you?”
“No,” he admitted.
He was still adjusting to his Premier League salary. He’d bought himself a nice flat with an extra bedroom he used as his art studio, but it was much smaller than some of his teammates’ homes. He occasionally splurged on designer clothing or trainers.
He shifted in his seat, wondering how comfortable it would be to spend the weekend with people rich enough to keep four hundred bottles of wine lying around. This was a level of wealth his lower-middle-class child-self could not have imagined.
Laci must have sensed his hesitation because she reached for his hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. “It’ll be fine. My parents are lovely.”
“Knowing you, that must be true,” he said.
He meant it. Laci, despite living with some extravagance given the size of her home and expensive decor, never made anyone feel inferior. She offered him a small smile, and he cleared his throat.
“So how d’you want to handle socials while we’re here?” he asked. “How many stories would a real couple post for the holidays?”
“Oh, I don’t post during Christmas,” she answered. “The only people we’ll have to convince are Mum and Dad.”
“You don’t post during Christmas?”
She shook her head. “No, I take the time to be with my family. I rarely get to see them, so it’s important to me.”
“That’s very sweet.”
She squeezed his hand and looked back out the window.
When the house came into view, Jordan’s jaw dropped. He knew it was an estate, so he had some idea that it would be large, but it exceeded every expectation. It was better described as a castle than a house.
The mansion sat perpendicular to a wide circular driveway and neatly manicured holly bushes illuminated the path with the Christmas lights wrapped around them. Countless windows across the front cast a warm glow on the yard, each adorned with a wreath. Some of them also contained the silhouette of a Christmas tree inside.
As they got closer, Jordan saw large oak double front doors with black wrought iron hardware. Before he stopped, the door swung open and a plump, blonde woman that very much resembled Laci bustled out, wrapping a cardigan around herself. Jordan parked to the side where he saw Jax’s Mercedes and a Porsche gathering snow on their roofs.
Laci slid out of the passenger door before Jordan cut the engine. His hand felt cold where she had let go of it. The way she threw herself into her mother’s arms more than made up for it. Smiling to himself, he got out and retrieved the bags to give them a moment.
“You made it,” Mrs. Miller said, kissing her daughter’s cheek. “So happy you could join us, darling.”
“I’d never miss Christmas, Mum,” Laci replied. “Jax and Tate are already here, I see.”
“Yes, yes, they got in yesterday.”
While they chatted, Jordan looked at the house again. Now that the initial shock had worn off, it felt almost familiar. He wondered if they had ever allowed it to be used for a film or television set because the longer he looked, the more certain he was that he had seen it before. It filled him with inexplicable melancholy.
“You must be Jordan.”
Laci’s mother’s voice drew him from the sinking feeling in his chest. “Yes, nice to meet you, Mrs. Miller.”
“Please, call me Pam.” She took his offered hand and shook it. “We’re delighted to have you with us.”
“Happy to be here,” he said.
She smiled, and he saw the resemblance between her and Laci more prominently. As she led them inside, he heard her whisper to Laci, “He’s even more handsome in person!”
“Mum!” Laci hissed, nudging her with her elbow.
Pam only giggled. Jordan’s cheeks warmed a little at the flattery.
Walking through the entryway, he felt like he’d stepped right into an episode ofDownton Abbeywith the high ceilings, the grand staircase, the luxury furniture, and the fine artwork which all spoke to the home’s illustrious history. Of course, it was all decorated with garlands, baubles, and lights to make it festive. And a fire crackled merrily in the hearth, making it the picture of elegance.