Page 116 of The Way We Collide

“I’m finished talking, Pink. You’re coming home with me.” His hands are on my arms, and he looks straight into my eyes. “Garrett said it’s not my show, but it is my family. You’re my wife. Haddy’s my daughter, and we’re staying together.”

My heart swells bigger with every word he speaks. “For Haddy?”

His chin drops, and he nods. “For Haddy…” His eyes hold mine again. “And for you and me. I love you, Pink.”

I hiccup a breath and hot tears hit my cheeks. “But you love football…”

“Fuck, Raven, I love you more than football.”

“But the team needs you…”

“And I need you more.”

A sob breaks through my throat, and I quickly wipe the tears off my face. My emotions are flying. “Are you sure?”

The fierce expression tensing his brow breaks, and he smiles, putting his hands on my cheeks. “Remember when we watched that movie about how men and women can’t be friends?” I nod, and he continues. “It’s like that guy said—when you realize what you want for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start right away.”

“I’m not sure that’s what he said.”

“Then I’ll say it.” He glances at all the people and shakes his head. “I love how you get up early to make drop biscuits for me, even when they remind you of an idiot who teased you and made your life miserable.”

“You reclaimed them for us.” I sniff, my chest squeezing with every word.

“I love how you make me watch all those crazy old movies I don’t care about, then I end up liking them.”

“I knew you would, though.”

“I love the way you sing ‘Good Morning, Baltimore’ to our daughter, and how you never throw away the first pancake.”

“It’s wasteful…”

“I love that you usedDriving Miss Daisyto try and distract me from how sexy you are and how much I wanted to fuck you.”

Stepping forward, I put my forehead against his chest. “You remember everything.”

“I’ll never forget that I didn’t hold you when you were sick.”

The regret in his voice tugs my chest. “You never left our door.”

“I never should’ve leftyou.” He cups my cheeks, lifting my face and catching my tears with his thumbs. “I know you have dreams, but I have dreams too. It’s to wake up every morning with you by my side. It’s to go to bed every night with you in my arms. It’s to hold your hair when you’re sick and fuck your brains out when you’re horny.”

“Hendrix…” My voice breaks as more tears come. “My heart…”

He leans down to kiss my lips. “You saved me, Pink. I didn’t know how lonely I was until you came crashing into my life. You taught me to love. You showed me how to take care of another person. Give me a little time, and I’ll help you save the world.”

“Oh…” I sniff, holding his shirt.

“What do you say?” His pretty blue eyes are so wide, so vulnerable, as he waits for my reply. “Will you give me time to make your dreams come true?”

“You already have.” Reaching up, I hold his neck.

“Let’s stay together, Pink.” He pulls me into his chest, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Let’s keep our family together.”

I’m nodding before I can get the words out.

28

Hendrix

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