Page 104 of Crazy Love

I didn’t even know how badly I wanted this until they came into my life. Some days it blinds me how much I love the people at this table. Not to mention our furless creature. Jezebel is adjusting to home life, and she’s just one more in this household for me to love and miss.

We finish dinner and when Winnie starts to yawn, I take her upstairs and help her into bed. I sit beside her, brushing the hair from her face as her eyes start to flutter closed.

I should go to bed too, but I can’t seem to move.

I sit there long after she’s fallen asleep, tracing the line of her hair, her tiny hand curled against her cheek.

“I’m not going to let you down,” I whisper.

She doesn’t hear me, but I say it anyway.

“I promise.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

REPUTATIONS AND VILLAGES

PENN

I’m the last one to show up at Luminary, which isn’t surprising. Our room is noisy when I walk in, and the guys all stop talking to say hello. Rhodes looks like he could use a nap, and Bowie’s already drinking his coffee like it’s a lifeline. Weston and Henley are sharing a muffin.

“You can’t get your own muffin?” I ask Weston.

He shrugs. “Trying to do what your wife said and cut out some of the sugar.”

I grin. Despite my worries lately, it still makes my heart zing when I realize I’ve got a wife.

It’s the weirdest thing.

“All right,” Henley says, stretching his shoulders. “What’s the emergency?”

“Yeah, we’re all wondering, and I am sleepy, so I’m not sure I will have the best tips.” Rhodes yawns. “Unless it’s to tell you about this move I tried on Elle last night that was?—”

“Okay,” I hold up my hand, “normally I’d be all about hearing that move, but I don’t have long today. I need to get home as soon as I can. I’m worried, guys.” I run a hand through my hair and plop in the chair, leaning my elbows on the table. “It’s Addy.”

Weston frowns. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t know.” I swallow hard and look up. “I don’t think so.”

Bowie shifts in his seat. “What’s going on?”

“She’s tired. Exhausted, really. And distant. I don’t know how much longer she can keep going like this.” I rub the back of my neck. “Sam and Winnie are amazing, and Addy is just…she’s unbelievable with them. She loves them so much. But she’s trying to give her all to her job, give her all to our marriage…and give her all to the kids…and—” I shake my head. “I don’t know if she’s happy. I don’t think she can keep going this way. And I don’t feel right about her giving up her dream job. My contract will expire before too long. I want to take her into account when I make my decision. I don’t have to keep doing this.”

Rhodes straightens. “You’d quit football?”

“I’ve made enough money for us to be set,” I say. “I love the game. You know I do. But Addy—she’s worked for years to get where she is too. If I can do something to help alleviate the pressure, I feel like I should. And I’m the one who got herinto this situation. Two kids overnight?” I groan. “What was I thinking?”

Even though she offered to help me get Sam, we didn’t know it would be like this. Winnie is a gift we weren’t expecting—thebestgift—but it’s a lot, and I feel like all the pressure is breaking Addy down with each passing day.

And I’m not sure she still feels like she did the right thing.

Henley whistles. “Wow.”

Weston leans forward. “Have you talked to her about it?”

I exhale. “I’ve tried. But right now, I’m scared that if I bring it up, she’ll feel like she’s failing. Like I think she can’t handle it.”

“You need to talk to her,” Rhodes says firmly. “Let her know you see how hard she’s working. And that she doesn’t have to do this alone.”

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