Page 94 of The Way We Win

Raven snorts a laugh, leaning forward as she steps past me to the restaurant. “I heard about this… Figs and barley?”

Shaking my head, I hold up both hands in surrender. “I’m staying out of it. She’s pouty enough with Craig and Allie teasing her all the time.”

To be fair, my little sister has been whipping up some seriously gnarly recipes lately.

“Hey, bro!” Hendrix straightens, holding his dark-haired little mini-me.

Her eyes are bright blue just like his, and it’s pretty incredible how much Haddy looks like he did as a baby.

“Hey.” I step forward to give him a hug, slapping his back.

“You’re looking good.” He nods, cocking an eyebrow. “Looking pretty relaxed. Hell, I’d say you’re glowing. What’s your secret? Could it start with anAand end with anie?”

“That does it.” I start to grab him by the neck when Haddy claps her hands and squeals.

“Take it easy, man, I’m holding an infant!”

“She’s two, and you’d better remember who’s in charge around here.”

“Where is Allie? In the kitchen?” He’s teasing, but it does make me smile.

Hell, I’m smiling a lot these days. After two nights sleeping on Allie’s couch, she got a text from an old friend back home that Rip had been spotted at a bar in New Orleans.

Garrett confirmed he had a check-in with his parole officer, and we were able to relax a bit. I sleep better in my own bed, but I do miss waking up on Allie’s couch with her curled up at my feet.

Possession, protection, satisfaction… all the emotions twined in my stomach at the sight of her there, staying close to me, trusting me.

If it were Kimmie, I’d carry her back to her bed. Instead, I wrapped a blanket around her and kissed her soft cheek before slipping out with the sunrise.

Talking to Austin wasn’t easy. Allie didn’t want to derail his entire senior year, but as the eldest son myself, and knowing how much he cares about her, I knew he could handle the truth.

He wasn’t happy, but I think he knows I’ll keep an eye on them. Still, I was glad to tell him things were back to normal for now.

Our big homecoming game is tomorrow night, and with my family all rolling into town, it feels like the holidays have arrived.

The summer heat has broken, and the sights and smells of fall are all around us. Everyone’s buzzy and excited.

I follow Hendrix into the restaurant, and at once we’re approached by Sadie and two of her cheerleader friends selling tickets to the Halloween festival and hay maze. They’re dressed up like those witches inHocus Pocus, complete with wigs and makeup.

“Don’t miss the grand opening tomorrow night!” Sadie gives me two tickets. “Some of the guys are dressing up as Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger and Jigsaw. It’s going to beso fun!”

Hendrix grimaces. “Yeah, I’ll watch Haddy while y’all do all that.”

“You’re not scared of high schoolers, are you?” I can’t help teasing him.

“No, but I don’t like people jumping out at me. I tend to get punchy.”

My lips pucker, and I nod at the girls. “He has a point. Be sure to tell the guys not to get too close. You never know how people will react when they’re scared. We don’t want anybody getting hurt.”

“Yes, sir, Coach!” She does a little salute before skipping off to the next customers entering the restaurant.

“Hendrix!” Liv dashes forward to hug my brother. “Look who’s here, Gigi—it’s Haddy!”

She’s holding her daughter, and the two little girls start to squeal as soon as they see each other. They wiggle to get down, and as soon as they do, they take off running—with their parents right behind them.

“Don’t forget the playground,” I call as they cross the room.

After having four wild little boys, that playground was a feature our Mom insisted the restaurant have. She wanted an enclosed area so she could sit down and finish one meal without having to jump up every minute.

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