Page 65 of Crazy Love

“Well, hello, Sam,” Coach says. “Yes, I remember you. That’s quite the shiner you’ve got there. You doing okay?”

Sam touches his eye and makes a face. “Much better now.”

“You were interested in football, if I remember correctly?” Coach asks.

“Yes, sir. Penn put me in a football camp earlier this summer and he says I’m improving all the time.”

“He’s a better running back than I was at his age, no question,” I say proudly.

Sam’s face glows with the praise.

Coach studies me with an unreadable expression before looking back at Sam. “I hope to see you at one of our games this season.”

“I can’t wait. Addy says that since I’m living here now, I’ll get to go to all the home games.”

Addy’s dad looks between me and his daughter. “He’s living with you?”

“I’ve been trying to get custody of Sam for a long time now.” I put my hand on Sam’s shoulder and he leans into me. “Unfortunately, it took really awful circumstances for them to okay it, but my lawyer is confident that we’ll be able to keep him with us now.”

He doesn’t say anything, just studies us. I shift uncomfortably and Addy squeezes my hand. I look at her and lift her hand to my lips, unable to resist kissing her soft skin, even in front of her dad. Her cheeks bloom with color and I freaking love it when that happens.

I wave my parents over. “You’ve met my parents before, I believe?”

My mom smiles warmly at Danielle, and my dad shakes Coach’s hand. I feel better knowing that they’re here and they have my back.

“Did you know about all this?” Coach asks my dad.

“Only after the fact, like you,” Dad says.

That seems to appease Coach somewhat.

“Should we have cake now?” I ask.

“I’d love cake,” Addy says, smiling up at me.

I grin at her, my heart doing its skip over itself. I guess I should be getting used to this feeling now, since it’s happening all the time around her, but I’m so not. It’s exhilarating and terrifying.

My mom steps out in front of us. “Can I take a few pictures of you outside? The flowers look so pretty out there.”

“Sure, Mom.” I glance at Addy. “And then cake.”

She grins and we step outside. My mom leads us to the flowers and they do look gorgeous.

“Great idea,” I tell her.

We pose for a few photos and then my mom grins. “Okay, lighten up, you two. Let’s have some fun with this.”

Addy laughs nervously. I take my jacket off and toss it on a bench, and then I tug Addy toward me. I twirl her around and then lift her up. Her hands move to my hair and she smiles down at me.

For a few frozen moments, I forget that we have a houseful of people and I stare up at the beautiful woman who agreed to be my wife.

“You’re beautiful,” I say, looking up at her.

“Oh, that’s perfect,” my mom says, startling us.

I slowly lower Addy to the ground and kiss her forehead.

“Did you get some good ones?” I ask.

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