Page 44 of The Way We Collide

“It means something,” I counter.

“It means you haven’t stopped holding her since we got here.”

I don’t want to argue with her pretty mama on our special day, but this is the cherry on top of a crazy week. I lean down to kiss my daughter’s chubby neck as she squeals anotherDada.

“Let’s get some cake.”

12

Raven

“You’re married?” My dad’s voice booms through my phone.

Before the ink was dry on the marriage certificate, I paid the clerk to have certified copies mailed to my father and the trustee of my mother’s estate.

“It’s what you kept saying you wanted the whole time I was pregnant.” I lower my voice to a pretend grumble, repeating his words to him. “‘Where is this young man,’ and ‘Back in my day, men did the right thing.’ Well, we did it.”

“A thousand miles away,” he grouses.

“Two thousand, to be precise.”

“Exactly—and with no family there.”

“Haddy was there.”

“You know what I mean, Raven Lorrain.” He’s still scolding. “You ran away and got married like it was something shameful.”

“I was under the impression it was.” Again, not arguing, simply clarifying the facts.

“I am not ashamed of my family.” Now he’sindignant.

“Right,” I concede.

Being ashamed and trying to control me was my mother’s role, all the way to the end—and even after the end.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered being pregnant still didn’t unlock my trust fund. Nope, only a husband would do that, which is when I came up with the idea of this marriage.

Hendrix is married to football, but I had a feeling he’d be willing to help me if it didn’t interfere with his plans.

He was right. Being in LA, we have a lot more control over the flow of information—at least when it comes to our families.

We quickly learned the paparazzi were stalking him everywhere when we tried to go for cake after our ceremony. Or should I say I learned. He’s been warning me since I arrived.

We hadn’t even taken the first bite of strawberry confetti cake when he heard the sound of a click. I didn’t know what to think when he pulled his blazer over his head and ordered me to grab Haddy and run to the waiting SUV.

After that, we haven’t left the house together. We’re even keeping the curtains drawn, and he ordered me to wear a black hoodie and shades when I go outside.

He says we’re perfectly safe, and it’ll blow over as soon as some other celebrity does something crazy, which could be any minute. I’ve decided just to stay indoors.

All of this is so new and strange to me.

“I’m sorry you weren’t here, Dad.” My tone gentles. “But it was better this way.”

“How was it better?”

Exhaling a sigh, I think of all the reasons, and their last names all start with the letterB.

“You just have to trust me. People elope all the time. No one will think anything negative about it. Tell them we’re a couple of crazy kids.”

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