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27

Raven

“ H e’s always ready to pile on the guilt, isn’t he?” Stomping around Amelia’s old bedroom, I can’t keep the frustrated growl out of my voice. “We had a plan…” I imitate my dad’s pompous tone. “What about my plans? I have never, since Day 1, had a say in anything having to do with my life.”

“At least you found a way out.” Amelia lies on her stomach on the rug, bouncing Axel up to Haddy and booping her on the nose with him.

Haddy squeals and belly-laughs every time she does it, and it’s the one thing strong enough to melt the anger in my chest. I’ve managed to shield my baby girl—and clearly my little sister—from their manipulations.

Hendrix leans against the wall with his muscled arms crossed like some protective god. Amused affection fills his eyes, and I imagine he’s glad he dodged a bullet with this family after coming off the love-fest, party-bus of his own .

I walk over to kneel beside my sister on the floor. “Do you want to work in the family business, Mim?”

“I don’t mind.” She shrugs, pushing into a sitting position facing me. “I’m an accountant, so it’ll just be one boring office or another. I’d rather work at a place where I know everybody and I can do what I want than be at a place that doesn’t give a crap about me.”

Reaching out, I slide a clump of dark curls behind her ear. “I’d argue this place doesn’t give a crap about you.”

“Aww, you’re just grumpy. You know that’s not true.” She smiles up at me. “Dad loves you. He just wants all his little bitties under one roof.”

“Where were those protective urges when Mom was alive?” I grumble, my eyes on Haddy chewing Axel’s gill. “He never said a single word to her.”

I can’t fathom making my sweet daughter feel inferior or less than perfect. I notice Hendrix shift his stance, and I appreciate him holding back in there, letting me take the lead. I know it’s not easy for him.

“I almost forgot this!” Amelia bounces to her feet, skipping over to the bed to grab a brand-new, baby blue axolotl with pink gills fanning around its head. “Meet Axelita! Sorry, I never mailed her to you. I got so busy and?—”

“You don’t have to apologize.” I reach out to give her a hug. “You’ve been busy with school and having a social life, and Axelita is adorable.”

“When are you coming back to give Jim Cantore a run for his money?” She wraps her arm around my waist. “I graduate in May. I can help you with Haddy now!”

“We almost moved you to LA to help with her.” I give Hendrix a wink, and he smiles, walking over to us.

“You don’t say?” Mimi tilts her head to the side. “LA, eh? That’s pretty far from my family and friends. Don’t you miss us?”

“I miss you a lot, but I’m having fun.” Hendrix’s eyes are on me, and I know he’s listening closely to everything I say. “I’m making friends, mostly at the station, but I’ve met some of the wives, and they’re nice. I’m happy.”

“I’ve got your new alter ego!” Mimi nudges me, and I cringe. Hendrix knows nothing about my alter ego. “Liz Pantore!”

“Like Jim Cantore.” His low chuckle joins the conversation. “I get it!”

“It’s way better than Tasha Scarce.” Amelia’s nose wrinkles.

“Who’s—”

“It’s just a game we used to play.” I quickly cut off his question.

Her chin drops, and she’s doing her best not to laugh. I could pinch her, when she rises to her feet.

“Tell you what. You two go out.” She lifts Haddy off the floor, swinging her onto her hip. “I’ll snuggle my baby boo-boo, and y’all can have a little date night.”

Chewing my bottom lip, I glance up at Hendrix. Our eyes meet, and he’s doing such a good job being the protective husband. He’s already a great dad. He has no idea my sister knows everything about our arrangement.

“I like that idea.” He steps up beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

She blinks up at him with a little swoon, and I’m about to pinch her again. I can tell she’s up to something, but Hendrix reaches for my hand to help me up.

He’s so gorgeous and confident and everything I want in a man, in a partner.

I take his hand, stepping into his side as I look at my sister. “Text me if you need anything.”

“I won’t need anything. Now scoot!” She flicks her fingers at us. “I’ll put her to bed and everything. You officially have the night off.”

“Thanks, sis.” I step forward to kiss her cheek.

“Don’t rule out LA so fast.” Hendrix gives her a little point. “You might like it. ”

“Okay…” She leans her head against Haddy’s, and I’m pretty sure I see hearts in her eyes.

Shaking my head, I follow him out of her bedroom. “See you later, alligator.”

“After while, crocodile,” she calls back.

The Peach Pit is an old townie bar just outside Peachtree City where my dad lives. It’s the bar all the local kids frequent. As soon as you turn twenty-one, you head to the Pit for your first legal bender.

I’m sad to say I don’t recognize a single face as we walk through the open space with its ancient booths lining the perimeter. Black metal tables surrounded by folding chairs are arranged in the center of the room, and neon beer signs hang on the walls.

A cluster of kids surrounds a pool table in the very back, but tonight, the front of the bar is filled with people. A makeshift stage is cleared in the front, and I see the poster on the wall announcing karaoke night.

“I put your name in.” Hendrix walks up and places two beers on the round wooden table between us.

“Oh no!” I put a hand on top of my head. “Don’t…”

“Too late.” He grins, leaning closer to kiss my temple before speaking in my ear. “You’re going to blow them away.”

“I don’t know about that.” I look down at his strong forearms leaning on the counter beside me.

It’s time. I know it’s time, but I don’t know how to start this conversation.

I can’t find a gentle segue from all the things we’ve shared to “it’s time to say goodbye.” I’m not even sure I even want to.

But I promised…

The music changes to a familiar keyboard and drums intro, and I glance to the front to see a young man holding the microphone. There’s a spoken word part, and my skin prickles as he begins to sing “End of the Road” by Boys II Men.

My chest tightens. A knot is in my throat, and I look up at my husband. It’s the stupidest, perfect theme for what I’m about to say, and while I’m afraid, confidence is all over his features.

“It’s the first moment we’ve had alone since our flight here.” He reaches across the table for me.

My gaze lowers to his large hand covering my left one. “Sorry, I slept the entire drive here from Atlanta.”

I’m not sorry.

He continues, “Feels like we’ve been holding our breath all weekend, when we have this decision hanging over our heads.” Our eyes meet, and his thumb slides across my fingers, turning the gold band on my third one. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, Pink?”

It’s a teasing question, but my throat is so tight.

I struggle to inhale, to swallow the pain as I say the words. “I think, for better or worse, all our family is here. They want us to come home, and I want Haddy to know them. The only thing is…”

A sad smile curls his lips. “The only thing in LA is me.”

It’s not exactly what I was going to say as I study the gold band shining in the glow of the Yuengling sign. “You’re a big thing, a very important thing. But I know, being married and having a family isn’t what you want.”

His brow furrows, and his thumb stills on my hand. “Is that really what you think?”

“It’s what you said,” I whisper as the guy sings. Still, I can’t let go … “It’s what we agreed.”

Hendrix steps around the table, standing in front of me. He looks down, smiling with so much emotion. Emotion I want to believe is love.

“Then why are there tears in your eyes?” His voice is low .

If I blink, they’ll spill onto my cheeks. It’s unnatural … “There are?”

“I know you better than that, Pink.”

The song fades out, and the DJ’s voice is on the microphone calling my name. My chin quivers, and I look over to where he’s holding it out to me.

“That was fast.” I do my best to dry my eyes.

“I tipped him twenty bucks.”

The intro saxophone and drum beat for “Good Morning, Baltimore” begins, and I walk forward, taking the mic and losing myself in the song I know by heart.

It’s a song of optimism and defiance, of believing in dreams and not letting anyone hold you down.

I belt it out, losing my sadness in the joyful words, and when I look around, several kids in the crowd are singing along with me. A girl and a few guys stand on the edge of the makeshift stage, doing the dance from the show.

When we get to the chorus, they sing it loud with me, and for a moment, everything fades away like it always did—my mom’s cruel words, Larry’s echoing backup, my powerlessness, the ache of wanting to leave and feeling trapped.

In that song, I’m strong and fierce, and the crowd is behind me. No one can say we’re not good enough.

I sing the final words, and everyone cheers and holds up their hands for high-fives. I’m smiling as I walk off the stage, after handing the mic to the DJ, who gives me a thumbs-up.

My smile melts when I see Larry standing at a table not far from where Hendrix is walking up to greet me.

“I love it.” Hendrix gives me a hug. “You’re a superstar.”

“Thanks.” I’m a little breathless, shielded by his strong body, but when he straightens, I can’t ignore the man standing beside us. “Larry? What are you doing here?”

“That massive talent.” His voice isn’t exactly congratulatory. “I remember when your mother chose that song for you.”

I do, too. Vividly. She said it was to “match my new look. ”

“She hoped it would embarrass me.” My voice is sharp, and I lift my chin. “Too bad it backfired. It’s a great song, and it’s perfect for my voice and my range.”

“She killed it.” Hendrix stands beside me with his arm around my shoulder.

Larry scowls at him. “I know all about you and this fake arrangement. I hired a private detective the minute you sent that marriage certificate. I know it was only for the money. There’s no way a guy like you would marry someone like her.”

He says her in a tone that catches me off guard. Shame burns in my chest, and I’m too thrown to argue.

Good thing I don’t have to. Hendrix’s arm is off me in a flash, and he steps into Larry’s space. “We discussed this, Lawrence . Is this really what you want to do right now?”

Unbelievably, Larry doesn’t back down.

“You ruined everything,” he hisses angrily. “I was supposed to marry you, not him. That was the plan. Half of that trust fund belongs to me ! It was our wedding present from your mother.”

“Wait a minute.” I grab Hendrix’s arm, pulling him to the side, so I can get in Larry’s face. “She wanted me to marry you ? Why? So you could take over demeaning me for the rest of my life?”

“You are mine, Biscuit.” It’s a whiny shout, and Hendrix grips his upper arm.

“That’s it.” He practically lifts Larry off his feet, dragging him to the front door of the bar and out into the parking lot.

I jog after them holding my hand out, unsure what’s about to happen. Hendrix shoves him in the direction of the parked cars, and Larry stumbles before regaining his balance.

“I told you never to call her Biscuit.” Hendrix’s voice is angry.

“Fuck you, Mr. Football Star.” Larry staggers forward, actually stupid enough to get closer. “Mr. Johnny-come-lately. You think you’re special? Anyone can get a girl pregnant. It just makes you careless. Irresponsible. I know your type. ”

“You don’t know shit,” Hendrix snaps. “I love her. I want to build a life with her. What do you want?”

“Oh!” My heart jumps in my chest, and I take a step back, my eyes fixed on my husband.

“You call that love?” Larry shouts. “You want her to be average. I want her to be great. Her mother saw it, and I see it. She lacks discipline. She’s lazy, and she overeats when she?—”

Hendrix grips the front of his jaw and slams him back against our rented Range Rover SUV. “Shut your idiot mouth before I break it. Raven is smart and focused. She’s caring and fierce. She’s the sexiest woman alive, and I wouldn’t live in your world where everyone looks the same and every woman is starving and miserable for one second, let alone a lifetime.”

“I want what’s best for her,” Larry argues.

Hendrix leans into his face. “If you know what’s best, you’d better get the fuck out of here before I kick your ass so hard, you spit leather.”

The entire karaoke crowd is outside the bar, and I look around at all the phones on us. I count at least ten kids recording videos, and I can’t let Hendrix get into trouble for defending me.

Rushing forward, I catch his arm. “We need to go. They’re all watching.”

“Let them watch.” He shoves Larry with both hands, and the loser staggers backwards, falling against another car before landing on his butt in the dirt.

Hendrix takes a step forward, and with a little yelp, Larry turns onto all fours and quickly crawls away like the coward he is.

For a moment, I watch Hendrix’s broad shoulders heaving, then when he turns to me, his blue eyes are blazing.

He’s vibrating with adrenaline, and when he closes the space between us, my skin prickles with heat. My body is on fire, and I want to climb him like a tree.

“I’m finished talking, Pink. You’re coming home with me.” His hands are on my arms, and he looks straight into my eyes. “ Garrett said it’s not my show, but it is my family. You’re my wife. Haddy’s my daughter, and we’re staying together.”

My heart swells bigger with every word he speaks. “For Haddy?”

His chin drops, and he nods. “For Haddy…” His eyes hold mine again. “And for you and me. I love you, Pink.”

I hiccup a breath and hot tears hit my cheeks. “But you love football…”

“Fuck, Raven, I love you more than football.”

“But the team needs you…”

“And I need you more.”

A sob breaks through my throat, and I quickly wipe the tears off my face. My emotions are flying. “Are you sure?”

The fierce expression tensing his brow breaks, and he smiles, putting his hands on my cheeks. “Remember when we watched that movie about how men and women can’t be friends?” I nod, and he continues. “It’s like that guy said—when you realize what you want for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start right away.”

“I’m not sure that’s what he said.”

“Then I’ll say it.” He glances at all the people and shakes his head. “I love how you get up early to make drop biscuits for me, even when they remind you of an idiot who teased you and made your life miserable.”

“You reclaimed them for us.” I sniff, my chest squeezing with every word.

“I love how you make me watch all those crazy old movies I don’t care about, then I end up liking them.”

“I knew you would, though.”

“I love the way you sing ‘Good Morning, Baltimore’ to our daughter, and how you never throw away the first pancake.”

“It’s wasteful…”

“I love that you used Driving Miss Daisy to try and distract me from how sexy you are and how much I wanted to fuck you. ”

Stepping forward, I put my forehead against his chest. “You remember everything.”

“I’ll never forget that I didn’t hold you when you were sick.”

The regret in his voice tugs my chest. “You never left our door.”

“I never should’ve left you .” He cups my cheeks, lifting my face and catching my tears with his thumbs. “I know you have dreams, but I have dreams too. It’s to wake up every morning with you by my side. It’s to go to bed every night with you in my arms. It’s to hold your hair when you’re sick and fuck your brains out when you’re horny.”

“Hendrix…” My voice breaks as more tears come. “My heart…”

He leans down to kiss my lips. “You saved me, Pink. I didn’t know how lonely I was until you came crashing into my life. You taught me to love. You showed me how to take care of another person. Give me a little time, and I’ll help you save the world.”

“Oh…” I sniff, holding his shirt.

“What do you say?” His pretty blue eyes are so wide, so vulnerable, as he waits for my reply. “Will you give me time to make your dreams come true?”

“You already have.” Reaching up, I hold his neck.

“Let’s stay together, Pink.” He pulls me into his chest, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Let’s keep our family together.”

I’m nodding before I can get the words out.