Page 142 of The Way We Win

“Speaking of dreams…” Garrett’s voice has an edge. “Here comes a nightmare.”

I look over my shoulder to see what he’s frowning at, and at the sight of the woman standing in the doorway, the tone of the group changes.

Zane steps up beside me, his voice low. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“What’s happening?” Dylan looks around. “Oh.”

“What the fuck, Danielle?” Hendrix is the first to speak, and I don’t even scold him for swearing.

Raven pulls his arm, but it’s basically what we’re all thinking.

Allie’s fingers tighten on my arm, and I cover her hand with mine, giving her a reassuring squeeze. This woman doesn’t bother me.

“Danielle?” I walk over to where she’s standing. “What are you doing here?”

“Jack…” She blinks rapidly, seeming nervous.

Her blonde hair is big and wavy, and she’s wearing light-blue jeans and a matching denim vest over a long-sleeved, white shirt.

“We were just passing through town, and I couldn’t believe it.” She looks up and around the space. “The famous Cooters & Shooters. I had to stop the bus.”

“Okay.” I’m not convinced, but I’ll accept her explanation.

“Sorry, it looks like I caught you at a bad time.” She gives me a wink.

My lip curls.

I feel absolutely nothing at all toward this woman—other than wishing she’d get back on her tour bus and keep driving.

“Actually, you caught me at a very good time.” I straighten. “You caught me at the best time of my life, not counting the day Kimmie was born.”

My daughter chooses this particular moment to march up to me. I assume whatever she was pouting about has finally boiled over.

“Daddy…” She grabs my hand in both of hers. “You have to stop being married to Miss Allie right now.”

Danielle’s eyes flicker to the seven-year-old spitfire with the bouncing brunette curls. “Is this?”

I take a knee beside my little girl. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“Edward says I can’t marry Austin anymore because you married Miss Allie.” Her face is scrunched up like she might cry. “But I have to marry Aussie! He’s my handsome prince, and he makes me pancakes on Friday because it’s T-G-I-F!”

I’ve been ignoring her crush on Allie’s son for obvious reasons—she’s seven, and I figured she’d eventually outgrow it. “Kimmie, Austin’s about to leave for college.”

“So?” Her voice goes high.

Danielle smiles as she watches us, and I wonder if she ever regrets giving up all her rights to this perfect little miracle she somehow helped me create.

I wonder if she realizes what she walked away from without even looking back.

Her loss.

“It’s okay, little lady.” As if she possesses some maternalinstinct, she leans down to put her fingers lightly on Kimmie’s shoulder.

“No, it’s not,” Kimmie snaps. “I love Aussie. He takes care of me, and he’s the best quarterback like my daddy, and I’m going to marry him.”

Danielle nods like she knows anything. “Take it from me, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Don’t fall for the first one to make you breakfast.”

I’m about to say something when Kimmie crosses her arms, frowning up at Danielle.

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