Page 56 of The Way We Collide

I look back in the direction we came. Soft children’s music plays through the open top door, and I think about getting one of those baby slings. I could strap her on my back while I practice. It wouldn’t work while I was on the field doing drills, but I could have her in one of those baby chairs on the sidelines for that part.

“Hey, man, what the fuck? You’re late.” Tyler walks out the weight room to where I’m standing with Raven, mentally exploring options for keeping Haddy with me. “Well, hello, there!I’m Tyler Winslow, starting quarterback for the Tigers. And you are?”

He’s turning on all his playboy charm, holding out his hand to Raven, and I snap out of it. “Tyler, this is Raven Gale.”

“Hello, Raven.” He winks, shaking her hand. “Do you live in LA? Just visiting?”

“Oh, I’m—” Raven starts, but I finish for her.

“She’s staying with me.” I hit themea little hard, and Tyler’s eyebrow arches. “Raven and I have a daughter, Haddy. We just dropped her off at the nursery with Sherri and Martha.”

“Ababy? What the hell?” My friend’s chin pulls back. “When did that happen?”

“About six months ago,” I start, and this time Raven cuts in.

“I had really bad morning sickness, and then when she was born, it wasn’t so easy to get around…”

Her voice trails off, so I pick up the thread. “She’s really smart and cute.”

“You sure she’s related to you?” He quips.

“Har har.” I set myself up for that one. “Raven wanted to check the place out.”

Tyler’s eyes flicker from me to her, and he turns reassuring. “Rusty’s kids stay here. They have a two-year-old and a baby. He says the ladies are great.”

“They seem very sweet.” Raven looks up at me. “I’d better get going if I’m going to make it to the station.”

“Take my car.” I pass her the fob. “I’ll catch a ride home with this guy.”

“Sure, no problem.” Tyler grins, and I know he’s just waiting for her to leave to give me shit.

She puts her hand up, blocking the fob. “The car seat.”

“Oh, shit.” I smack my forehead. “I forgot about that.”

“I can call an Uber or Lyft—or I could come back and get you?”

“Yeah, I’ll shoot you a message when we’re done.”

“Okay, well… You’re late.” She smiles, taking the fob. “Thanks for helping me out.”

My lips twist, and I want to say she doesn’t have to thank me for helping with my daughter. I want to say a lot of things to her, none of which I recognize as stufftheHendrix Bradford would say. Who am I these days?

“Good luck today,” I reply. “Let me know how it goes.”

“Let me know how it goes with Haddy.” She turns to leave, then glances back to wave at my friend. “Nice to meet you, Tyler.”

He smiles, running his eyes along her face and then lower. “Verynice to meet you, Raven. I hope to see more of you.”

His flirty tone snaps me out of my mini-identity crisis. If anybody’s getting in Raven’s pants, it’s me.

“That’s enough.” I punch his shoulder. “Let’s get moving before Coach notices we’re not there.”

Raven continues walking, but Tyler walks backward beside me, licking his lips. “Baby mama, eh? Where you been hiding her?”

“Remember when I had to go to Newhope last week?” He nods. “That’s why.”

“Now I get why you didn’t want to go to Jaguar’s.” He lifts his chin in approval. “I don’t blame you.”

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