Page 123 of Crazy Love

“You guys are looking so good in your jerseys,” I tell them. I scoop Winnie up and grin at her turkey hat. “And the hat is perfect.” I bop her on the nose.

When I set her down, Tru hands me a cocktail, and I gladly take it.

There’s a roar of laughter on the other side of the box and Sadie waves us over.

“They’re killing it and the commentators are on a roll. Henley is particularly hysterical tonight,” she says.

“Would you look at that play! The Mustangs are bucking everyone out of the way!” Henley’s voice is thick with amusement.

Daniel, the other commentator, laughs. “Maybe it’s Penn Hudson’s moniker as the Sexiest Man Alive that has him feeling himself. He’s unstoppable.”

Melanie snorts. “Whatever it is, it’s working.”

“Rumor has it that Addy Hudson is part of the reason Penn’s on fire this season,” Henley says. “You didn’t hear it from me.”

I nearly choke on my cocktail and start fanning my face.

“I mean…he’s not wrong,” Tru says, laughing.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, Addy. I know it’s a sacrifice,” Elle adds.

I snort and shake my head, but I can’t wipe the huge smile off my face. “I think we’re all doing our part.”

They all laugh and Sadie clinks her glass to mine. “Cheers to that.”

Penn looks focused and confident out on that field—and absolutely drool-worthy. He glances up at the box like he can feel my eyes on him and gives a nod in my direction. My stomach flips.

Weston makes a long throw across the field and Rhodes somehow leaps through two defenders to make the catch. We jump up and down.

Henley whistles. “Weston launched one that looks like it came from another planet…and did you see Rhodes Archer levitate to catch that thing?”

Daniel chimes in. “I’ve seen Rhodes jump, but that was more like a controlled flight.”

Melanie laughs. “Do we need to test him for wings?”

“I think these guys have evolved past human limitations at this point,” Henley says.

“I think we all know you’re partial to the Mustangs,” Daniel says, “but the way they’re playing this year, I know you’re not the only one.”

“They’ve made their comeback. And when Weston is on, they’re all on. His arm strength is no joke,” Henley adds.

“And I’m just going to say it since Melanie won’t. The entire Mustangs team is disturbingly attractive,” Daniel says.

“You won’t get any argument from me there,” Melanie says, laughing.

I can’t catch my breath, I’m laughing so hard. “Are they actually…flirting with the whole team on national television?”

“They totally are,” Sadie says.

Penn receives a handoff from Weston and looks around to pass it, but when he sees an opening, he runs with it and makes a touchdown. The crowd erupts, and I hear Henley again.

“I don’t know how they’re doing it, but the Mustangs are making this look easy.”

I don’t sit down for the rest of the game. They make two more touchdowns before winning the game, and I hustle back to help Toby and Lorelai get ready for the players. I prepared huge turkey drumsticks as a little way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and when the team starts trickling in, they’re flying high from their win.

Penn finds me right away and I kiss him.

“So proud of you, Preacher Man,” I tell him.

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