Page 126 of Learning Curve

I meet Jude Winslow and his wife Sophie and their daughter Meadow. I also find out that I was right about Hawk being Jude’s son.

I meet Winnie and her husband Wes and their son Wes Jr. I’m also introduced to their daughter Lexi Winslow and offer a secret smile in her direction.

And I say hello to Professor Ty Winslow and meet his wife Rachel and their daughter Emily.

It’s strange seeing Professor Winslow outside of the lecture hall, but it’s even stranger to see how close he and Finn have become. Though, I guess it shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Over the past two months, I’ve witnessed more text conversations and phone calls between the two of them than I can count. I knew if Ty had known about Finn, he would care, and he’s more than proven me right.

“Winslow-Hayes Family Dinner Night is officially served!” Wendy announces as she carries a massive bowl of chicken fettuccini alfredo into the dining room and sets it on the table. Helen is right behind her with an Italian salad, and Winnie is right behind her with a tray of garlic bread sticks.

Finn pulls out a chair for me to take a seat beside Willow, and he sits down on my other side beside Ty. Everyone dives into the food like they haven’t eaten in days, and the laughter and chatter don’t stop between bites.

Finn looks so damn happy that I can’t swipe the smile off my face as I watch him talk to Ty and Wes about Dickson’s football team’s prospects for next year.

“I’m impressed with Boden,” Wes says. “He’s only a sophomore and damn near won his team a championship. If he can keep his mind off my daughter, he might even live to see the NFL.”

I widen my eyes at Finn as Lexi snorts and shakes her head, and he mouths that he’ll explain how Wes knows about Blake’s crush on Lexi later.

“I’m going to remember this conversation when you’re trying to draft him,” Remy states, and Wes doesn’t even balk.

“He plays like Quinn Bailey.”

“And Quinn won you a championship,” Remy remarks.

Lexi surprises us all when she looks across the table to meet my eyes. “You know the Dickson cheerleaders are better statistically than Dickson’s football team? They’ve won more NCA Championships that any school in their division, and it all started decades ago. If you guys win this year, you’ll set a Guinness World Record.”

Finn wraps a proud arm around my shoulders. “Oh, don’t worry, Lex. My girl is ready for Daytona next week. You can get the record book ready.”

His girl. Swoon.

Lexi shakes her head, refuting him. “I don’t have any contacts at Guinness.”

I’m surprised she took him so literally, but nobody else is, and for my part, I don’t have time to dwell on it. The conversation keeps moving at a million miles per hour.

“Scottie, you’re on the cheerleading squad at Dickson?” Wendy asks and I nod.

“Yes.”

“Are you nervous for the competition?” Ty’s wife Rachel questions. “That seems like a crazy amount of pressure.”

“Oh, it is.” A nervous giggle escapes my lungs. “I’ve never been on a stage this big, but I’ve been doing competitive cheerleading my whole life, so I’m hoping it’s prepared me for this.”

“You’re going to do great, Scottie,” Finn says and presses a kiss to my cheek.

I don’t miss the way Willow and Helen watch or the smiles that spread across their faces.

“I can’t wait for the day I get to be a bridesmaid at your wedding,” Willow whispers into my ear, and I just about choke on my garlic bread.

“Slow down, girl.”

My shocked reaction doesn’t faze her in the least. “Mark my words, Scottie. You’re going to be a Hayes one day.”

I know Finn overhears that last comment, but the man doesn’t clam up. He doesn’t look like he wants to run for the hills. He just presses a kiss to my forehead and continues eating his food.

On the outside, I’m playing it cool.

But on the inside, my heart is marking ideal dates on the calendar five to six years from now and scouring the internet for the perfect wedding dress.

Which is totally insane, right?

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