Page 34 of The Way We Collide

“Don’t worry.” She puts Haddy on her back on the changing table like a pro. “It was a rookie mistake.”

“Just don’t mention it to Liv.”

“Not ever?” She glances up at me.

I know, I know. Everybody wants a good laugh at my expense. I get it.

“Not until I’ve gotten a little better at this.”

I’m standing beside her at the changing table when my phone goes off. Looking down, I see it’s our quarterback Tyler Murray on FaceTime, and I hit the accept button.

“Tyler!” I step away so I don’t startle Haddy. “What’s up, brother?”

“You’re back! What was the emergency in Newhope?”

“Oh, you know. Family shit.” I glance over my shoulder, thinking maybe I could start a swear jar or something. Language training.

“We’re heading to Jaguar’s tonight. Come with!” He’s grinning, and my jaw tightens.

Jaguar’s is a strip club the guys like to frequent. Occasionally, I’ll tag along, and for the first time I feel uncomfortable aboutsomeoneknowing.

“Ahh, I don’t know, man.” I look over my shoulder again, wondering if Raven is listening.

“What?” Tyler’s voice is loud. “Alana’s dancing tonight. I know you want to see her, and man, she’s got this new move. You’re gonna jizz in your pants.”

Clearing my throat, I wish I’d have sent this call to voicemail until I was alone. “I’m not really in the mood for that.”

“Did I call the wrong number? Who is this? Bodysnatchers?”

Turning away, I duck and lower my voice. “You know that’s not my scene.”

“Not your scene? You were doing shots off Alana’s belly last month.”

“That wasn’t me.” I huff a laugh.It really wasn’t.

“What’s up? You got a girl at the house? You’re acting weird, and you keep looking over your shoulder.”

“Two girls, actually.” I haven’t had a chance to tell anybody about Haddy, although I’d love to take her to practice and show her off.

I’m not sure how Raven feels about being shown off. Or why I’m even thinking of showing her off—what the fuck?

“Oh dang, I’d better let you go then.” A note of admiration is in his tone. “I expect to hear all about this next week.”

“It’s not like that?—”

“Right, and you don’t go to strip clubs either. I got you. See you at practice, bro.”

The phone goes dark, and I turn to find Raven standing in the doorway of Haddy’s room with my baby girl on her hip and a smirk on her lips.

Exhaling a short laugh, I shake my head. “Tyler’s our quarterback. We hang out… sometimes.”

“No need to explain.” She holds up a hand, passing me on the way to the kitchen.

I hustle to catch up with her. “All this has happened so fast, and I wasn’t sure what you’d want me to tell the guys.”

“It’s really none of my business.” We’re in the kitchen, and I watch as she takes out a bottle and mixes up the formula. Then she pops it into the microwave and hits the button. “We’re about to go to bed, so if you’d like to go out with your friends, there’s no reason for you to stay home.”

She’s saying that, but she has that tone in her voice that I know from experience means the exact opposite.

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