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Raven

“ I thought you were going home for a wedding, not to set the Internet on fire.” Star leans beside me, staring at my phone.

“It was… I mean, we were.” My voice fades as I swipe through video after video of men and women breathlessly breaking down Hendrix and Larry’s encounter in the parking lot.

“It’s every woman’s dream to have a husband who will fight for her.” A woman called @hoosierdaddy spends three whole minutes extolling the virtues of an overprotective spouse and Hendrix’s pretty awesome speech about staying together.

“He’s a brute just like every other professional athlete, beating up a weaker man for looking at his girl wrong,” a user named @captainchalupa argues.

“As if Hendrix wasn’t already all over the news,” she continues. “Now he’s in the running for swooniest husband in the league. ”

“When they’re not calling him a brute.” My brow lowers, and I don’t like Captain Chalupa.

At least the consensus seems to be he’s a good husband, committed to his family and defending his wife from a body-shaming bully—which, as someone who was present for the whole thing, is what actually happened.

Still, those haters have my blood hot, not to mention the haters who say it’s all my fault, and I provoked the whole thing.

“This @lizardsarelife person says I was having a secret affair with Larry all along.” I tilt my phone in Star’s direction. “Like he didn’t show up at the bar saying Hendrix stole half his money, which was actually my inheritance.”

“Ignore that.” She waves a hand over my device. “There’s always going to be some dummy ready to blame the woman for everything.”

Exhaling a sigh, I’m ready to slide my phone into my pocket and take a break from the chatter when the next video pulls me up short. “Is that…?”

“Ew, Mikayla,” Star groans, and we both stare at the screen.

“I can verify she has definitely changed him.” The curvy brunette slides her stick-straight hair behind her shoulder, fluttering her caterpillar eyelashes like she’s so bored with the world. “The Hendrix Bradford I knew would never get into a fight in a parking lot. Not once the entire time we were together did he even worry about another man. He’s a lover, not a fighter.”

My jaw drops, and I can’t stop a laugh. “What is she even talking about?”

“I guess she doesn’t realize how bad that makes her sound.” Star leans in beside me. “He wouldn’t fight for her.”

“Lawrence O’Halloran has it right—she’s definitely average,” the woman continues. “She’s a weather girl at KCLA? Who even watches KCLA?”

“Easy, bitch,” Star laughs, turning wide eyes on me. “Now she’s going after us!”

“Weather girls were actually enormous stars in the mid-1950s.” Wilt steps up to join the conversation, completely serious. “There was a time when Ms. Monitor was the most recognizable female voice in the country.”

“I’ve never heard of her,” I say.

“It’s where the American Meteorological Society seal of approval comes from.” He pulls out his wallet and produces a card showing his. “Weather girls weren’t really about the weather. They sold sex and vacuum cleaners. The AMS did not approve, but it launched the careers of several stars like Gilda Radner, Diane Sawyer…”

“We should do a special segment about them!” Star clasps her hands, and I see the wheels turning. “You could host it, Raven, talk about how times have changed.”

“I’m all for reclaiming another slur in my lifetime.” I slide the phone into my pocket for real this time, done with the noise for the day. “I’m just glad it doesn’t seem to be hurting Hendrix’s standing in the league.”

I would be devastated if all of this led to him being suspended from playing in the Super Bowl. He might love me more than football, but he still loves football.

“He didn’t hit the guy, which I think shows a lot of restraint.” Wilt walks around the traffic computer, crossing his arms. “If it were truly a roid rage, he’d have beat the shit out of that guy. Personally, I don’t know what I’d have done if some man said those things about my wife.”

“Wilt?” Tilting my head, I slant my eyes at him. “Are you saying Larry was wrong?”

“Of course, he was wrong.” Wilt straightens like anyone would agree. “I can attest there is nothing average or lazy about you, Mrs. Bradford. I’ve worked with you too long.”

My chest squeezes, and I step forward to put my hand on his arm. “Thank you, Wilt. That means a lot to me.”

Clearing his throat, he turns to the screen. “Now, about these Santa Anas. They’re not as strong this year as last, but it’s early. Last year, we clocked winds up to sixty miles per hour. ”

My eyes widen. “That’s as strong as a Cat-1 hurricane.”

“And with less warning.” Wilt casts me a glance. “Perhaps the weather here isn’t as boring as you thought?”

“Perhaps.”

Before we left for the wedding, he caught me on the phone with Amelia, complaining how my life in LA was a blur of activity everywhere but at work, where it was slow, slow, slow.

I know how to get everywhere in LA at any time of day and during any major event. I know more random meteorological facts than the encyclopedia Britannica…

Until now.

“We’ll keep an eye on things. This time of year, we work closely with the fire department to try and help them get where they need to be.” His jaw is tight. “We just got this special software that can help us locate within a mile of where an incident occurs.”

“Are you telling me traffic saves lives?”

“You’d better believe it.” He points a finger. “Now let me show you what’s happening out there.”

For the rest of the day, we take a break from social media while I learn how to read the warning signs of high winds and learn the Rapid Response system we use to help emergency workers in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

“Tell us your thoughts heading into the playoffs.” Logan’s smooth broadcaster voice comes from the speakers on Hendrix’s desktop when I enter the house.

He’s recording his guest appearance on Lightning & Thunder, Logan and Zane’s sports radio show based in Newhope. It’s not strictly radio anymore, though. Now the guys also post a video recording of the interviews on their YouTube channel.

Hendrix has a small camera mounted on the top of his computer, and on his screen, I see Logan, Jack, Garrett, and Zane all sitting around a long, brown conference table wearing headphones with black mics in front of them.

Hendrix is on a large flatscreen television behind them, and they all face each other as they chat about the week’s football news and the last round of games leading up to the final one of the season in New Orleans.

The Tigers are heavily favored to go all the way, but they have a few more games to win first.

“We’re going to stay focused and play the way we’ve played all season.” Hendrix has a great voice for radio, and he looks really hot on screen, too. “Tyler and I’ve worked out the kinks, our D-line is strong, and we’re ready to take it all the way.”

“How are you feeling about the championship chatter?” Logan is so polished on-air, I sometimes forget he was a wide receiver in New York with Garrett only a few years ago. “Sounds like they’re looking at you, kid.”

“Pulling some classic Hollywood on me there.” Hendrix laughs, and I mentally pat myself on the back for him catching that Casablanca reference. “I remember the year when you were in the running for it. You know how it feels.”

“It feels like your year,” Logan deflects. “I’d be surprised if you didn’t win it after the way you’ve played this season.”

They move to dissecting the past week’s games and discussing plays and players I don’t know. I put Haddy down, and she takes off crawling fast to the football her daddy left lying on the floor.

She dives face-first onto his “thinking football,” and I have to scoop her up and out of the room before her squealing breaks up the show.

His next game will be here in town, and if they go all the way… sorry, when they go all the way, we’ll go with him and stay for a while. New Orleans is only a two-hour drive from Newhope .

“How are you handling the social media firestorm?” Garrett’s cocky voice joins the chat.

My ears perk up, and I peek around the corner to see Hendrix’s expression doesn’t change. “I’m just going to keep my head down, and play?—”

“Yeah, yeah, tell us how you really feel.” Garrett interrupts him, and they all laugh.

Hendrix laughs, but he only says, “I think it’s best not to give it any additional oxygen.”

“Well, I’m proud of you, bro.” Garrett leans forward in his chair. “Don’t listen to the haters. You’ve got to defend your lady, and tell Raven if that guy ever shows his face in Newhope, I’ve got a dumpster with his name on it.”

Hendrix glances at me, and I mouth, I love you . He smiles and shakes his head. His brothers all have their own personalities, and Sheriff Grizz loves “taking out the trash.”

I wouldn’t mind turning him loose on Lawrence Calder O’Halloran.

My lips twist as I think about how my actual father never stood up for me the way the Bradfords do, and instead of being sad, I’m angry this time.

For so long, I made excuses for him. I was embarrassed, and maybe I secretly, deep down worried that it was because I wasn’t worth defending.

Hendrix and his brothers put an end to that. They cross their arms and dare someone to try and hurt me. It’s healing and stirs emotions I’ve never experienced.

I’ve got some work to do if I’m going to forgive my dad.

The guys finish up recording the show, then they hang out a few minutes longer shooting the breeze. I unload the back of the Rover, and I’ve just put my latest find on the kitchen table when my phone lights up with a text.

Liv

Best idea ever—since their birthdays are a week apart and you’ll be here anyway, how do you feel about a joint first birthday party for Gigi and Haddy?? ?

My fingers can’t move fast enough.

OMG… I LOVE IT!!!!! LET’S DO IT!!!

Liv

I was talking to Clint, and he wants to break into the world of high-end birthday parties. He has the whole thing planned out, and let me tell you, he is going ALL OUT…

She sends me pictures of his ideas, and it’s straight out of the Kardashians playbook. Or any other rich-person party here in LA, to be honest.

Liv

The theme is Mermazing, and he has a balloon entry and water slides and super soaker games and fish ponds and crafts and party favors—and he’ll do it for free if we post pictures all over social media and give him credit.

I LOVE it so much, but he can’t do all that for free!

Liv

That’s what I said—Garrett insists on paying… Are you in???

Absolutely! Haddy’s going to love it and we’ll go halfsies!

Liv

I’ll tell him to do it then—I’m so excited!!!

I can’t wait to see y’all again!

My chest squeezes when I think about all the time we’ll spend with the Bradfords this summer.

I’ll miss Heather and Star and the group of friends I’ve made here in LA, but I can’t wait to be with our family, especially now that they’re really my family, too.

“That’s a big smile.” Hendrix walks into the kitchen, pausing to kiss the side of my head before scooping Haddy off the floor.

“I was just thinking I’m a real Bradford now.” I look up at him .

His expression warms, and he puts his arm around me, pulling me into his chest. “You always were.”

My hands are around his waist, and I think about everything that happened starting with Dylan’s wedding. From that first night, it felt like I was meant to be there.

“The first time I met Dylan, she felt like a sister to me.”

“My sister loves a big family.”

Haddy starts to struggle and squeal, and he steps back, putting her on the floor where she takes off in a fast crawl to the living room. We both laugh, and I shake my head.

“When she starts walking, we’re never sitting down again.”

“What’s this?” Hendrix picks up the large package on the kitchen table.

“Oh my gosh, can you believe it?” I hop over to him. “I got eighteen rolls of toilet paper for only two bucks!”

His nose curls. “You realize you’re a millionaire now, right? And you’re married to me… And Haddy isn’t even potty trained yet.”

“Waste not, want not!” I hold up a finger, digging in the cabinet for penne pasta.

“I don’t think that applies in this situation.”

“That’s a great deal.” I walk over to where he’s standing. “When I had Haddy, and I was living by myself, I’d have freaked out to find a deal like this. You’ve never had to worry about money like I did.”

“Actually, I have.” He pulls me into his arms again. “When my parents were opening Cooters & Shooters, their business partner ran off with all their loan payments. We were left with nothing but a huge debt.”

“What did they do?” A familiar fear squeezes my throat.

“They pinched pennies, Dad took a job painting houses and Mom did odds and ends.” He shrugs. “We had to go to the food bank a few times, but the restaurant took off, things got better… and now I can afford the good toilet paper. And so can you. ”

My nose wrinkles, and I lean closer, whispering, “But it’s such a good deal!”

“That’s also why I always donate to the food bank and shelters—which is where I’m taking this tomorrow.”

“I told Haddy you were secretly sweet.” Rising onto my toes, I kiss his lips.

He releases me. “You’re not going to turn into a hoarder on me, are you?”

“No,” I laugh. “But I am going to cook our dinner, and we can watch The Holiday for our bedtime movie.”

“It’s after Christmas.” He walks into the living room to check on our wandering daughter.

“Haddy won’t know, and Jack Black’s funny.” I dig around for ingredients to make tomatoey pasta with beef tips and rosemary. “He talks about Driving Miss Daisy. ”

“You know that makes me horny.” Hendrix sticks his head around the corner to waggle his eyebrows at me and make me snort.

We didn’t do a big Christmas, since Hendrix had an out-of-town game. Haddy’s too young to remember much about the holidays, but we took pictures with Santa and bought her way too many toys.

Hendrix found the squeaky toy that made her laugh so hard in the video Sherri sent us from her very first day in the nursery. He spent hours scouring every vintage toy store and online retailer, but it was worth it just to hear her baby belly-laugh.

We finish the day like always, cuddling together in front of the big screen, only now we raise the armrests, and Haddy and I both curl up at Hendrix’s side.

She falls asleep halfway through the film. Hendrix declares it a decent holiday movie, and we put our daughter in her crib before going to his bedroom to celebrate our own holiday in his bed.