Page 120 of It's Always Us

“Whatever, bro. You were just jealous.” Mark grins, and my cheeks heat with the attention. “I wanted everyone to know that she was mine. I branded her Lex. My name for her and mine only.”

“Can we call her Lex?” Liv asks, squishing Mark’s cheeks. “I mean . . . she’s our Lex now. She’s part of our family.”

A warm rush spreads through my chest at her, claiming me as part of this amazing family that three abandoned men created.

“Yes,” I answer, not giving Mark a chance. “You can call me Lex.”

Mark’s eyes meet mine before moving his attention back to Liv. “But no one else, ok? Just our family. I don’t like sharing, but I will this time.”

He spins Liv several times before setting her down and then slides his arms around me as he starts singing “Alone” by Heart. “How do I getyou alone?” His off-key tone continues until Shane throws a fry that bounces off his back.

Mark spins. “Hey, bro. Maybe you need to be taking notes. This is how you make magic happen.”

Shane mumbles something, and I laugh, feeling right at home with these men.

“Later.” A sly smile covers his lips as he grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s sit out here and let Andie have the room to pace,” he gestures to the seats in the open air.

“You know, I’ve never actually watched a game with you.”

“Baby, this is going to be one hell of a game. I’m so happy you’re here.” He kisses my cheek. “I hope it’s me down on that field next year.”

I hear the wistfulness in his voice, and I really want that for him.

We step into the cool breeze, and Shane and two other guys stand, talking football.

“Hey, man.” A tall, handsome, dark-haired guy with piercing blue eyes leans in and hugs Mark.

“How are the Stingrays treating you?” Mark asks.

“We’ll see how next season goes. We’ve got work to do.”

“Chip, nice to see you again.” Mark slaps hands with the other guy, who’s just as tall, with lighter features and tattoos covering his massive arms.

“I’m never going to lose that nickname.”

“Nope. You’re stuck with it. You might as well put it on the back of your jersey.” Mark’s arm wraps around me. “Boys, this is my wife, Lex. Lex, this is Cole, Maggie’s brother, and this guy is Nick, but we call him Chip.”

I shake their hands, but the conversation immediately returns to football. Cole fills Mark in on his losing season with the Stingrays, and Nick talks about possibly being picked up by the Liberties.

“There’s lots of speculation about teams wanting to bring you aboard. How’s the shoulder?” Cole asks while Nick and Shane discuss training.

Mark pushes out a long breath. “I’m sitting tight. After today, hopefully, things will pick up. I’ve got to get my arm working again.”

“You will. Everyone knows what you can do. Teams will be fighting for you. I’ve got to figure out how to get my team to quit focusing on my name.”

Mark nods. “Give it time. They’ll see. Those first seasons are tough. Hang in there. If you have time, come out and train with me.”

The big muscle in my chest twinges, wondering what those first seasons were really like for Mark.

The players are announced, and quickly, the game is in motion. Mark and I eventually sit, his hand squeezing my thigh.

“Do you get nervous before games?” I ask.

He eyes me, but only briefly before his attention goes back to the field. “Not anymore. I get my head in game mode, and I’m good. I’m more nervous watching Sean get his ass pummeled.”

The crowd roars as the opposing team scores again.

“I couldn’t eat on your game days,” I admit. I never told anyone that. I’d watch Mark’s games but never told anyone but Slade about him, so everyone thought I was just a big Liberties fan.

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