“I can be gentle.” Hazel rips off the paper, opens the box, and squeals. “She’s so beautiful!” She pulls out a marionette in a fluffy pink dress.
Abby takes the wooden controls and untangles the strings to the doll. “If you like this, I found directions to make our own. We could put together a play and do all of the parts ourselves.”
“I wanna do that! Yessss!” Hazel throws herself at Abby, almost knocking her over.
With my heart in my throat, I reach out and steady them. “Hazel, you have to be gentle with Abby too, okay? Don’t pounce on her.”
Jesus, I was protective of Abby before she got pregnant. Now I wanna tape her down in bubble wrap.
My eyes meet hers and there’s so much love shining back at me, I swear it swells my heart.
We decided to wait to tell everyone about our news. I’m excited to shout it from the rooftop, but I’m also grateful to have this time just for ourselves.
I glance at the clock. “Hazel, Cadence is coming to watch you for a few hours while Abby and I go take care of something, but Abby will be back to hang out with you this afternoon while I go to practice.”
“Okey-dokey.” She doesn’t bother looking up from her doll.
I take Abby’s hand and lead her into the kitchen, where I kiss her until she’s panting. “Good to have you home, buttercup.” I pat her on her shapely ass. “Now go get dressed for your court appointment. We need to leave in an hour.”
She tosses her arms around my shoulders. “Thank you for coming with me. I’m so anxious about it.”
I hug her close. “It’s going to be fine, no matter what. If we have to pay the ticket, so be it, but maybe Jinxy’s brother has an ace up his sleeve.”
She leans back. “We’ll pay the ticket?”
“Families watch out for each other.” I press my lips to her forehead. “And you’re family now, so yes, we.”
EPILOGUE
THREE WEEKS LATER
NICK
Sweat stings my eyes as I glance at the clock from the sidelines. We’re tied with LSU at thirty-four points with five minutes remaining in the national championship.
I take a moment to soak in the fact that I got here again and look back at the stands where Abby, her parents, and Hazel are sitting. Abby and Hazel are wearing their game faces with black grease strips under their eyes. My girls look fierce.
I wasn’t going to bring Hazel, but she really wanted to come, and I know she’ll be safe with Abby and her parents. I figure this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her dad play, and I’m grateful Abby talked me into it.
My girlfriend’s wearing my jersey, of course, which I can’t wait to strip her out of later tonight, and since Gail offered to babysit so Abby and I could unwind and hopefully celebrate, we’ll actually have a night all to ourselves.
She must sense me staring because Abby waves at me, and I hold my fist to my heart, which I told her would be my sign to her when I’m out on the field.
She’s been my rock these last few weeks. Helping me watch film. Keeping Hazel busy with fun activities. Making sure my workout clothes make it to the washer and don’t stink up my gym bag. I’ve never had anyone look out for me before. It’s incredible. But the best part is how much fun we have together. I’m so fucking grateful that woman ran into me with her car.
Speaking of car accidents, Jinxy’s brother handled her case like a boss when he showed up to court with subpoenaed footage from the street cameras that showed the utility trailer swerving all over the street behind the van. It likely wasn’t hooked up correctly, which is why it drifted so far into Abby’s car. The trailer also didn’t have the required reflective lamps on the side panels, which explains why Abby might not have seen it since it was so low to the ground.
Unfortunately, because of the police report from when she struck my SUV last April, she still has to take a defensive driving course. She planned to do it anyway, but at least now, there’s no additional fine.
And when Jinxy helped me wrangle extra tickets to today’s game so Abby’s parents and Hazel could join her, he officially got himself off her shit list.
Coach calls a timeout and our defensive line huddles up. Even though I’m not on the defense, obviously, I want to hear Coach’s direction. He makes some adjustments and then points to the field. “Let’s execute, gentlemen. You’ve got this.” He’s hoarse from screaming.
I shout, “Let’s go, Broncos!”
This game has been a one-eighty from how we played last year. Me scoring four touchdowns and not getting sacked has helped.
Now we just need to win.
