Page 121 of The Way We Collide

“How are you feeling about the championship chatter?” Logan is so polished on-air, I sometimes forget he was a wide receiver in New York with Garrett only a few years ago. “Sounds like they’re looking at you, kid.”

“Pulling some classic Hollywood on me there.” Hendrix laughs, and I mentally pat myself on the back for him catching thatCasablancareference. “I remember the year when you were in the running for it. You know how it feels.”

“It feels like your year,” Logan deflects. “I’d be surprised if you didn’t win it after the way you’ve played this season.”

They move to dissecting the past week’s games and discussing plays and players I don’t know. I put Haddy down, and she takes off crawling fast to the football her daddy left lying on the floor.

She dives face-first onto his “thinking football,” and I have to scoop her up and out of the room before her squealing breaks up the show.

His next game will be here in town, and if they go all the way… sorry,whenthey go all the way, we’ll go with him and stay for a while. New Orleans is only a two-hour drive from Newhope.

“How are you handling the social media firestorm?” Garrett’s cocky voice joins the chat.

My ears perk up, and I peek around the corner to see Hendrix’s expression doesn’t change. “I’m just going to keep my head down, and play?—”

“Yeah, yeah, tell us how you really feel.” Garrett interrupts him, and they all laugh.

Hendrix laughs, but he only says, “I think it’s best not to give it any additional oxygen.”

“Well, I’m proud of you, bro.” Garrett leans forward in his chair. “Don’t listen to the haters. You’ve got to defend your lady, and tell Raven if that guy ever shows his face in Newhope, I’ve got a dumpster with his name on it.”

Hendrix glances at me, and I mouth,I love you. He smiles and shakes his head. His brothers all have their own personalities, and Sheriff Grizz loves “taking out the trash.”

I wouldn’t mind turning him loose on Lawrence Calder O’Halloran.

My lips twist as I think about how my actual father never stood up for me the way the Bradfords do, and instead of being sad, I’m angry this time.

For so long, I made excuses for him. I was embarrassed, and maybe I secretly, deep down worried that it was because I wasn’t worth defending.

Hendrix and his brothers put an end to that. They cross their arms and dare someone to try and hurt me. It’s healing and stirs emotions I’ve never experienced.

I’ve got some work to do if I’m going to forgive my dad.

The guys finish up recording the show, then they hang out a few minutes longer shooting the breeze. I unload the back of the Rover, and I’ve just put my latest find on the kitchen table when my phone lights up with a text.

Liv

Best idea ever—since their birthdays are a week apart and you’ll be here anyway, how do you feel about a joint first birthday party for Gigi and Haddy???

My fingers can’t move fast enough.

OMG… I LOVE IT!!!!! LET’S DO IT!!!

Liv

I was talking to Clint, and he wants to break into the world of high-end birthday parties. He has the whole thing planned out, and let me tell you, he is going ALL OUT…

She sends me pictures of his ideas, and it’s straight out of the Kardashians playbook. Or any other rich-person party here in LA, to be honest.

Liv

The theme is Mermazing, and he has a balloon entry and water slides and super soaker games and fish ponds and crafts and party favors—and he’ll do it for free if we post pictures all over social media and give him credit.

I LOVE it so much, but he can’t do all that for free!

Liv

That’s what I said—Garrett insists on paying… Are you in???

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