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18

Raven

“ I t never rains in southern California.” Wilt announces.

I’m not sure if Star had a chat with him, but he’s been on his best behavior since our first encounter. He didn’t even make a comment about my outfit today, which I’d prepared myself to deflect.

“People write songs about it,” he continues. “It’s how I got my tagline.”

Everyone deserves a second chance, so I take his bait. “What’s your tagline?”

His voice turns into polished TV newsman. “This is Wilt McCloud, and there’s not a cloud in the sky.”

“Oh, no!” I lift my hand to my nose, laughing. “That’s terrible!”

“It’s memorable and accurate.” He points briefly, walking with me to the satellite computer desk. “Most days it’s seventy-one and full sun.”

He’s the rhyme guy.

“So if it never rains, what do we talk about?”

“Traffic. Random meteorological facts. Whatcha got, Gale? Hit me!”

My brows rise, and I blink, thinking fast. “Ahh… The next Halley’s comet is July 2061!”

“Is that true?” His lips poke out and he nods. “I didn’t know that one.”

“I actually looked it up for my sister a couple weeks ago,” I confess. “It’s pretty easy to find online.”

“Still, good work.”

I follow him over to the desk. “I gotta say, reporting traffic is kind of a downer for a meteorologist.”

“It’s still useful, potentially life-saving information. And if you hang around til Christmas, the Santa Anas might shake things up.”

I remember the Santa Anas from that Christmas movie The Holiday . “What are they like?”

“Depends. They’re called ‘devil winds.’” His eyes take on a storyteller cast. “They sweep in from the desert, and some years they can be incredibly destructive.”

“Ugh.” My nose curls. “Sounds like tornadoes. Hurricanes are more my speed.”

“Is that so? Hurricanes?”

“Yes. They’re also powerful and destructive, but you know they’re coming. They give you plenty of time to prepare and get out of the way.” His expression remains doubtful, but I continue. “They’re what got me interested in the field.”

Leaning against the table, he crosses his arms. “You love hurricanes?”

“That’s not really the right word.” I look down, feeling self-conscious. “Did you know the first major hurricane to make landfall in the US was Hurricane Alma in 1966? It was only a Cat 3, but ninety people were killed.” My lips turn down. “Today, that number could’ve been zero with all we know and our capabilities. I love saving lives. ”

Wilt studies me, nodding slowly. “You might be all right, Gale.”

“Don’t grab my ass.” I point my finger at him, giving him a threatening glare. “I’d like to learn from you, but I won’t put up with any nonsense. I’m a mother.”

That makes him laugh, and he sticks out his hand. “Deal. Here, I’ll show you how the traffic cams work.”

“How’s it going back here?” Star breezes into the room. “Getting a feel for things?”

I’m pretty sure she’s checking on me, and I appreciate her concern.

“Going good, actually. Wilt was just about to tell me about this traffic situation. I’ve never been a traffic reporter before.”

“You’re going to love this.” Star steps up beside us. “You’ll be an expert at getting anywhere in a city with a notorious traffic problem. It’s like a perk.”

“Are you saying no salary but great benefits?” I tease.

Her nose wrinkles, and she tilts her head in Wilt’s direction. “I hope so?”

My phone lights up, and I glance over to see a photo of Haddy on the screen.

Star notices as well, and gasps. “Is this your little girl? Can I see her?” I tilt the phone so she can see Haddy. “Wow, she looks just like Hendrix… She’s so cute!”

That gets Wilt’s attention. “Hendrix Bradford?”

“Yeah, he’s Raven’s… partner?” Star frowns at me. “You never said.”

“Something like that,” I demure.

“Hendrix Bradford is one of the best tight ends I’ve seen in a long time. I expect he’ll get a championship ring this year.”

“Really?” My brows rise. “I knew he was popular…”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Wilt huffs. “Are you going to the game Sunday?”

My lips part, and I don’t know what to say. “I don’t know. I didn’t get a ticket… ”

“I’m sure he’ll take care of everything for you.” Wilt almost seems annoyed. “Those box seats are ridiculously priced.”

“We haven’t really talked about it.”

“I’ll tell our guys to look out for you if you’re there.” Star breaks in, nodding at my phone. “What’s her name?”

“Hayden Lucille Bradford.” Saying her full name puts an unexpected twist in my stomach.

It’s not the first time I’ve said her name, but it’s the first time I’ve said it where it feels like she really is his daughter, too. The Bradford part has real meaning now.

“Who is she named for?” Star asks, and I smile, thinking of our earlier conversation.

“I just liked the name Hayden. We call her Haddy for short, but Lucille was Hendrix’s mother’s name.”

“That’s so sweet,” she coos. “You’ll have to get her one of those baby jerseys with Hendrix’s number on it. Can you imagine how cute that’ll be?”

My lips part. I don’t even know his jersey number. “Where do I get one of those?”

“Lots of places, but if you need it by Sunday, go to the stadium store. We should call them right now and get them to hold it for you. Number 85 sells out fast.” She snatches the receiver off a phone sitting on the desk and presses one button. “I have the stadium on speed dial.”

I chew the side of my fingernail as she speaks, wondering what else I don’t know about my husband. These are basic facts about his job. His jersey number? Jeez, Raven.

Star puts her hand over the bottom of the phone. “Sizes?”

“Haddy’s six months old.”

Star waits, and I blink at her. Finally she gives me a nudge. “And you?”

“Me?”

“Don’t you want one for the game? All the wives and girlfriends wear them.”

My lips twist, and I think about it. If that’s true, I can’t show up in regular clothes. What would my dad say? We can simply tell all the Bradfords it’s a supportive thing.

“How do they fit?”

“Like a football jersey.”

“Better get an extra large. I’ll manage if it’s too big.” I hear her saying Hendrix can pick it up, and I catch her arm. “Can they deliver it to the house?”

“I don’t see why not.” She continues, telling them where to send it, and I smile, thinking it’ll be a fun surprise for him on game day.

Assuming we’ll be there on game day. I wonder why he hasn’t mentioned it.

“Now that that’s all settled, we were discussing the traffic report.” Wilt’s tone is impatient, and I shake my head, blinking fast.

“Sorry, yes. Traffic and weather.”

Hendrix’s hair is damp when I pick him and Haddy up at the stadium like he showered before meeting us. I guess it’s safer that way. No risk of walking in on him again.

The memory of him naked with water running down every flexed muscle in his body flashes in my mind, and my entire body heats right up.

I study him in the rearview mirror as he buckles her into her car seat, then kisses her little nose. She blinks up at him, chattering like he’s her favorite thing in the world, and I’m not even jealous.

Apparently everyone in LA shares her opinion—at least everyone who watches football. I’m pretty sure he’s told me so more than once.

When he hops in the car, he leans in my direction like he might kiss my cheek, and I freeze .

He stops short, huffing a laugh like he surprised himself as well. “How was KCLA? Still interesting?”

My cheeks flush, and I grip the wheel, driving us to the house. “Much better today. I’m actually learning all kinds of useful things.”

I take an unexpected turn, and Hendrix sits forward, looking out the window. “Where are you going?”

“Check out this shortcut.” I drive the new route Wilt and I plotted from the stadium to the hills. “Since there’s not much happening at the weather desk, I’m also doing the traffic report. This way shaves off two whole minutes!”

“Two minutes, eh?” He leans back, giving me an appreciative grin. “Hey, I meant to tell you, there’s a game on Sunday. I know you’re not really a football fan, but it’s the first game of the season, and…”

“I’d love to go.” Glancing over, I give him a little smile. “Haddy needs to see her daddy in action, and I’m a little curious to see you play, too. I’ve been hearing rumors you’re pretty good.”

He laughs. “I can’t wait to hear the verdict. I’ll see if I can get you in the box with Rusty’s wife. Pretty sure her name is Heather.”

“You don’t know your teammate’s wife’s name?”

He shrugs. “I kind of avoided the married guys, and Rusty’s on the D-line.”

“Is that one step above Fail? The D -Line?”

Hendrix laughs. “He’s on the defensive line. I’m on offense, so we don’t really practice together.”

“You’ll have to give me a crash course in football before Sunday, or I’m going to be so lost.”

“So instead of a movie night, we’ll have a football night? I can go for that.”

“Maybe we can watch Friday Night Lights ? It’s the movie that led to that TV show, remember?”

“High school ball is nothing like professional ball,” he scoffs .

“Isn’t that what your brother Jack does now? Dylan said he’s the head coach?”

“At our old high school.” He looks out the window as if he’s annoyed.

I’m not sure what that’s about, so I don’t push it. “Well, I think it sounds fun. I might not know what’s happening on the field, but I’ll keep my eyes on Number 85.”

His mood shifts at once. “It’s really pretty simple. The only complicated part is the penalties and the plays, but you’ll pick those up in time.”

Time . The thing that’s ticking away with each passing week. A knot is in my throat again, but I swallow it away.