Page 131 of The Way We Collide

“My beautiful wife,” he whispers, gently massaging my body, kissing my lips, worshipping me. “I love you so much.”

My heart melts, and I lift my chin to meet his kisses. “I love you,” I whisper, and in that moment we’re one.

32

Hendrix

Two weeks go by in a flash of training and drilling.

Our win against Seattle was too close for all of us, and I remember this Wisconsin defense. We’re not going to win if we don’t prepare, and I’m not looking forward to facing off against Number 53 again.

To be honest, the cocky swagger I’ve projected through the playoffs took a hit that last game. We’re the two best teams in the league. Nobody’s walking away with any prizes. They’re going to be earned.

It’s hard to sit still in the small jet as we fly across the country to where all our friends and family will be waiting to greet us in the Crescent City. I stand, rubbing my stomach as I walk the aisle, and Raven glances up at me from where she’s curled up in her black sweats.

“You okay?” Her voice is soft, the one thing that soothes me, and I walk back to lean down and kiss her lips.

“Just getting ready.”

“You’re ready.” Her smile is warm. “You’ve worked so hard these last two weeks.”

It’s true. I’ve gotten up before dawn and come back after dark. I hated being apart from them so much, but once this game is over, we’ve planned an extended vacation.

Newhope is only a two-hour drive from New Orleans, and I’ve booked a cute little cottage off the scenic highway on the bay for us to stay in while we visit.

Haddy squeals in her carseat, kicking her little feet and waving Axelita at me. She’ll be a year old next month, which is hard to believe, and the ladies have planned a massive, joint first birthday party with Clint’s help.

Raven’s been buzzy and thrilled and excited the entire time we’ve been packing. Her internship at KCLA ended, and as predicted, Star offered her a full-time position as a meteorologist and all-around reporter, producer, pretty much whatever she wants.

Star’s obsessed with my wife, and Raven told me she has plans for several special assignments, including one on weather girls, who she said played a significant role in the entry of women into broadcasting.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see a photograph of a rust-colored, three-piece suit. “Aw, man,” I groan.

“What?” Raven frowns, and I take the seat beside her, turning the screen so she can see it. “What’s that?”

“They hired a fashion coordinator for our entrance to the stadium.”

“That’s fancy!” Raven gives me a half-grin.

“It has something to do with hockey. Apparently those guys go all out for their entrance to the games.”

“I’ve seen the video. It’s hot.”

My lips twist as I study what they want me to wear. “I’m going to look like Napoleon Dynamite.”

Her head pulls back. “You’ve seen that movie?”

Lowering my phone, I think about it. “For some reason it was on all the time at the house. That andThe Big Lebowski.”

Her pretty amber eyes curl with her smile. “Because you were in a house full of guys. Did you also watchRoad House?”

“Garrett did—when Liv wasn’t making him watchDirty Dancing.”

“Liv’s so great,” she chuckles.

“Pretty sure he only did it to get in her pants.” Lifting my phone, I show it to her. “Back to this.”

“I mean, it’s different…” My eyes narrow, and she shrugs. “It’s designer—have fun with it.”

---