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CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

WITH GRATITUDE AND TURKEY

ADELINE

It’s hard not to let the guilt fester as I work through the insane week leading up to the Thanksgiving Day game.

Friendsgiving last week was a nice break—good food, dear friends, and quality time with the kids and kittens.

The kittens are the highlight of our lives.

It’s so funny how you don’t even know how much you can love something until you’re surrounded by it.

I’ve never even thought of myself as a big animal person, but Jezebel and her babies… I am in love .

Sam named the two boys Gizmo and Shadow, and Winnie named the girl Elsa because, yeah…she’s still her favorite.

Now, though, I’m slammed. Long hours endlessly on my feet, and so much planning and food prepping that I think I’m doing it in my sleep.

The good part is that I have a plan worked out with Lorelai.

Greer and Wyndham agreed to stay at the house to watch the kittens.

Since it’s a holiday weekend, Serendipity’s hours are limited, and they were so generous to do that with their little time off.

The whole family and crew—my mom, Penn’s parents, Tru, Sadie, Poppy, Elle, all the kids, as well as everyone else’s parents—will be flying to Dallas for the game.

Lorelai’s flying in on gameday, and she’ll sit in the box with everyone during the first half.

I’ll switch places with her during the second half and enjoy the game.

It helps that Winnie is more adjusted now. She doesn’t cry when Penn and I leave for the training facility or go on a trip anymore, which is a relief. Last night, she hugged me tight before we left, her little face so sweet.

“I’ve already got your fun stuff packed,” I told her, brushing back her soft curls.

She held Margo’s hand as Sam stood by them, grinning.

“I can’t wait to see you, Mama!” she squealed.

Yes, she’s been calling me Mama. Once she opened the door by calling Penn Daddy, it was the very next day when she tried it out on me. I just thought I cried when she did it with him. I didn’t think I’d ever get it together when she called me Mama.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be okay,” Sam told me.

God, I love those kids.

I did still cry a little as we drove away, watching them wave as long as we were in sight.

I worked my tail off last night when we arrived at the AT&T stadium, completely wiped out by the time I crawled into bed next to Penn.

I’m not even trying to sneak around anymore.

I’m sleeping with my man and I think the whole team knows and is happy about it.

Penn’s having such a great season that I think the players want us to keep doing whatever we’ve been doing.

They’re a superstitious lot, but I grew up with Coach Evans, so that’s not exactly news.

This morning when I woke up while it was still dark, Penn rolled over, half-asleep, and patted my butt before mumbling, “Love you,” in that low, sleepy voice that always ruins me.

I’m running on fumes by the time I take the world’s fastest shower and change into Penn’s jersey. When I finally get to the box, I’m exhausted but so excited to see everyone. Sam and Winnie rush toward me, hugging me tight.

“You guys are looking so good in your jerseys,” I tell them. I scoop Winnie up and grin at her turkey hat. “And the hat is perfect.” I bop her on the nose.

When I set her down, Tru hands me a cocktail, and I gladly take it.

There’s a roar of laughter on the other side of the box and Sadie waves us over.

“They’re killing it and the commentators are on a roll. Henley is particularly hysterical tonight,” she says.

“Would you look at that play! The Mustangs are bucking everyone out of the way!” Henley’s voice is thick with amusement.

Daniel, the other commentator, laughs. “Maybe it’s Penn Hudson’s moniker as the Sexiest Man Alive that has him feeling himself. He’s unstoppable.”

Melanie snorts. “Whatever it is, it’s working.”

“Rumor has it that Addy Hudson is part of the reason Penn’s on fire this season,” Henley says. “You didn’t hear it from me.”

I nearly choke on my cocktail and start fanning my face.

“I mean…he’s not wrong,” Tru says, laughing.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, Addy. I know it’s a sacrifice,” Elle adds.

I snort and shake my head, but I can’t wipe the huge smile off my face. “I think we’re all doing our part.”

They all laugh and Sadie clinks her glass to mine. “Cheers to that.”

Penn looks focused and confident out on that field—and absolutely drool-worthy. He glances up at the box like he can feel my eyes on him and gives a nod in my direction. My stomach flips.

Weston makes a long throw across the field and Rhodes somehow leaps through two defenders to make the catch. We jump up and down.

Henley whistles. “Weston launched one that looks like it came from another planet…and did you see Rhodes Archer levitate to catch that thing?”

Daniel chimes in. “I’ve seen Rhodes jump, but that was more like a controlled flight.”

Melanie laughs. “Do we need to test him for wings?”

“I think these guys have evolved past human limitations at this point,” Henley says.

“I think we all know you’re partial to the Mustangs,” Daniel says, “but the way they’re playing this year, I know you’re not the only one.”

“They’ve made their comeback. And when Weston is on, they’re all on. His arm strength is no joke,” Henley adds.

“And I’m just going to say it since Melanie won’t. The entire Mustangs team is disturbingly attractive,” Daniel says.

“You won’t get any argument from me there,” Melanie says, laughing.

I can’t catch my breath, I’m laughing so hard. “Are they actually…flirting with the whole team on national television?”

“They totally are,” Sadie says.

Penn receives a handoff from Weston and looks around to pass it, but when he sees an opening, he runs with it and makes a touchdown. The crowd erupts, and I hear Henley again.

“I don’t know how they’re doing it, but the Mustangs are making this look easy.”

I don’t sit down for the rest of the game.

They make two more touchdowns before winning the game, and I hustle back to help Toby and Lorelai get ready for the players.

I prepared huge turkey drumsticks as a little way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and when the team starts trickling in, they’re flying high from their win.

Penn finds me right away and I kiss him.

“So proud of you, Preacher Man,” I tell him.

“Addy! You are the best!” One of the players holds up the drumstick, and Weston and Penn’s eyes go round.

“You didn’t,” Weston says.

“I did,” I say, laughing. “Just a little treat for my guys, playing so hard on Thanksgiving.” I grin at Penn. “And maybe there are even a few pies around here somewhere.”

Eventually, everyone makes their way into the family area, and I give the kids each a drumstick too. It looks bigger than Winnie’s head. Margo and Jeremy linger until Winnie’s sleepy, and then they take the kids back to the hotel.

Penn and I make love when we get back to the room, almost too tired to think but too hungry for each other. Always too hungry for each other.

Afterward, he leans his head against mine. “This is the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”

I rub my thumb along his cheek. “Because of the win?”

“Because of you being by my side.” His hand slides down my side and his voice gets lower. “And the drumsticks didn’t hurt.”

I laugh sleepily. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Hudson, aka Preacher Man, sexiest man, and cat doula extraordinaire.”

He kisses my forehead and my cheek and then a lingering kiss on my mouth. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Hudson, aka my Siren, and the love of my life.”

“God, I love you,” I tell him.

“I love you,” he whispers. “More than I ever dreamed possible. And I’m so goddamn happy about it.”

We drift off like that, wrapped around each other, sated and so completely happy, and we sleep like the dead.