Page 66 of The Way We Score

“Sure you do, honey!” Maddy smiles up at him, then shakes her head no at us.

Liv laughs and walks over to me, wrinkling her nose. “You need a shower.”

“Give me five minutes.” My arms ache, and I want to wrap them around her the way Charlie’s doing right now with Maddy. Instead, I remember my goals. “You’ve been a good sport hanging out here so long. What would you like todo?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“We could take a walk in the park. Or if you want to try and catch a show, I bet we can get last-minute tickets.” Man, I hope she doesn’t say yes to a show, because I might sleep through it.

Glancing at the clock, it’s lunchtime, but I think ahead. “It’s probably not too late to make a dinner reservation. I can usually pull some strings, since I’m a local celebrity and all.”

“Is that so?” Lifting her chin, she smiles. “Maybe we can order in tonight. I was promisedDirty Dancing.”

“Yes, you were.” I’m doing my best to turn on the charm. “But first, lunch. I’ll be right back.”

13

Olivia

I’m sitting in the lobby of the Pirates stadium waiting for Garrett to finish showering when my phone goes off.

Mom

Henny Lane is brooding. I had no idea chickens would get broody without a rooster!

What does that mean?

Chewing my lip while I watch the floating gray dots, I think about all that happened today. Maddy is adorable with her Georgia twang and baby boy, and I imagine we’d be good friends if I lived here. Not that I’m planning to move or anything.

Holding Paxton as he chewed on his fist and tangled his baby fingers in my hair over and over, I thought about the possibilities—and decided I needed to get a grip on my fairytale dreams.

Then I nearly outed myself over the pregnancy fatigue. Iswear, I’ve never been more tired in my life. I could lie down right here and sleep the rest of the day on this couch.

No one seemed to notice my slip, but it’s time. I have to talk to Garrett.

Mom

It means she thinks the egg she’s sitting on has a chick in it, but it doesn’t!

Poor Henny Lane has mental health issues. We must be kind to her.

Mom

Apparently Silkies are very broody. I don’t know what to do when 21 days pass and it’s a dud.

Buy her a little chick to love.

Mom

I’m not sure I can handle an entire broody flock.

Don’t crush Henny’s dream.

Mom

Olivia Cherry Bankston! You know I love my chickens, but I can’t encourage hysterical pregnancies.

I wonder what she’d do about a real pregnancy. She’d go bananas.

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