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Hendrix

I ’m breathing hard, and 53 is snorting at me from across the line like a raging bull. He’s going to plant me like a tree, but first he’s got to catch me.

The clock is running down. We’re one point behind. The game could go either way, and every play counts. We need to score; they need to stop us.

We’re facing each other eye to eye at the 20-yard line. It’s first and ten.

The snap happens, and 53 races forward, but I roll. A safety is coming up from the side, and I step out of his way. Roger is covering Tyler along with two other guys, but their defense is coming in like a wall. All I can think is run .

I dig in and head for the end zone. Looking over my shoulder, I lock eyes with Tyler, and he nods. He has one second—all the time he needs to plant his feet and fire off a perfect pass.

I’m not entirely open, but without interference, I’ve got it. Running at top speed, I’m one with the ball. It’s soaring to me like a bird preparing to land. I reach out, ready to snatch it, but a cornerback is right there.

It doesn’t matter. I’ve got it. It’s smooth as silk, right into my arms, and I fly, sailing through the air, bracing for impact.

Don’t think hitting the ground doesn’t rattle my brain and hurt like hell. It does, but nothing is sweeter than completing this pass.

The catch is good. I hold it to my chest just long enough for the ref to call the touchdown, then I’m up, tossing him the ball and holding out my hands as my teammates plow into me.

We’re laughing and yelling. Some of the guys beat their chests. Rogers bangs his helmet against mine.

Tyler grips the front of my pads and shakes me, yelling. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

He pulls me into a hug. He’s so fucking happy, and I can’t stop laughing.

Our kicker comes out and handily sends it through the uprights, and it’s all over. We bagged the big one.

Confetti rains down on the field, and everybody rushes out to join us. I look up at the box where the family was . I can’t wait for them to get out here.

The stadium is a mass of people yelling and waving their arms over their heads. Some people are twirling yellow flags. Tyler is at my side as the reporters surround us.

“How are you feeling right now, Hen?” The woman from ESPN leans close.

“Pretty darn good.” My cheeks ache, I’m grinning so hard.

“That last play—tell us what was going through your head.”

“I kept expecting somebody to hit me,” I laugh, moving side to side. “I turned around, and nobody was there.”

“Congratulations.” She smiles, and I turn for the next reporter only to freeze in place.

“You were amazing tonight, boo!” Mikayla stands in front of me in a body-hugging, royal blue dress holding a mic. “Congratulations! ”

She steps forward to hug me, but I block her advance. What the fuck?

“What are you doing out here?” I can’t keep the annoyance out of my tone, even if her mic is still in my face.

“I’m a reporter for WeGot Sports!” Mikayla has the nerve to act excited. “I’m here to congratulate you on your win!”

“No.” I shake my head. “You don’t congratulate me. You don’t touch me. And I’m not your boo.”

“Hendrix…” she puts a hand on her chest. “What has that woman done to you?”

“That woman is my wife, and this is me.” I take a step closer, causing her to take a step back. “Raven is an incredible human being, who cares about people not follower counts, and I’m sick of you talking out your neck about shit you don’t understand.”

Her jaw drops, and I feel strong arms around my shoulders, holding me back. “Hey, bro, that was a killer play—get over here!”

The anger burning in my chest mixes with the adrenaline, but Garrett’s pulling me away. He’s about the only one who could after all the shit she’s said online about Raven since my near-fight in the parking lot.

I would never hurt a woman, but I seriously want her out of my celebration.

“You know I love to take out the trash.” My brother’s mouth is at my ear. “Let it go.”

“Hey, baby! That was incredible!” Raven is at my side with Haddy on her hip, and I pull my two girls into my side, wrapping my arms around them.

Turning to a different reporter, who is still holding the mic in my direction and just taking it all in, I give her a wink. “Would you like a real scoop?”

“Definitely!” She blinks, stepping back for me.

I nod at the line coach I asked to help me. He steps forward with a small blue pouch, and I turn to Raven. “Raven Lorrain Bradford, you’ve made me a better man. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. ”

“Hendrix!” Her hand flies to cover her mouth as Haddy reaches for me.

I take my baby girl, holding her to my chest, but I’m not letting go of her mom. A body pushes up beside me, and I see it’s Dylan.

“Give her to me.” She takes Haddy, but I catch her arm, making sure they stay close.

“Raven, my beautiful wife…” I take her hand, sliding the diamond ring on her finger. “I should’ve done this before.”

Her lips press together, and she looks at the round diamond surrounded by tiny baguettes. “It’s so beautiful…”

“I wanted it to be like a storm cloud, then I wanted it to be like the sun that comes after the rain.” I shrug, still holding her hand. “Then I just wanted it to be something that would make you as proud as you’ve made me. I want the whole world to know it. I love you, Pink.”

She blinks, and tears hit her cheeks. I pull her to me, but before I kiss her, I look into the mic. “I’ll fight for her any day of the week because she’s worth it.”

Her hand goes around my neck, and she pulls me down for a kiss. I hold her close, and the reporters drift to Tyler. I look up to see the officials surrounding him. They have the crystal trophy, and they’re ready to make the announcement.

“The MVP award goes to Tyler Winslow!” The crowd goes wild, and I couldn’t be happier.

Tyler’s eyes meet mine, and I give him two thumbs up. I’ve got a heap of blessings on my head, and I’m glad my friend got one, too.

“I’m going to Disney World,” he yells, and we all laugh.

My brothers surround me, slapping my back and congratulating me.

Logan pulls me in for a hug. “He couldn’t have done it without you.”

I know he speaks from experience, and it means a lot. “Thanks, bro. ”

“Raven really has changed you.” Garrett wraps his arms around me, lifting me off my feet. “You’re not such a little punk anymore.”

“Put me down, Sasquatch!” We all laugh, making our way off the field, ready to pack up and head home for a few weeks.

It’s been an amazing season. More than I ever imagined when I stood on my balcony in September thinking about what I thought I wanted, what I thought would make me happy.

When Jack called me home, I had no idea I was on a collision course with a wife and baby, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Your sister has stolen our baby.” Raven is under me in our bed, her dark hair stuck to the sweat on her neck, and I haven’t stopped kissing her since we crashed through the door of our hotel suite.

“She loves babies.” I cover her mouth with mine, my cock still buried deep between her thighs.

After the game, we partied in the VIP box for a few hours. Allie wanted to take us all over New Orleans, which is her hometown, but Jack said it was probably safer to stay where we were.

He was right. The fans were having a party, and it got crazy out there. Also, I was just as happy to come back here and make love to my wife all night.

“Remember that first night we all slept together in the theater room?” She blinks her pretty eyes at me, and I smile, kissing her lids. “We’ve come so far.”

“Yeah, but I knew then we’d stay together forever. Didn’t you?”

Her brow furrows. “No—I couldn’t see either of us giving up our dreams.”

“And now?” I lean onto my arm, tracing her hair off her cheek with my finger, thinking about what she told us in the VIP box .

I’d asked where she went for so long during the game, and Dylan asked what she meant about traffic saving lives.

She told us how Star called her needing help. Then she got a little emotional telling us how they were able to find the small plane using some kind of software.

My question was why they needed KCLA to do it when I needed her. She didn’t know, other than Star is friends with everybody in Los Angeles, including emergency workers. I guess that’s why she runs the station.

“When I got into meteorology, it was to help save lives. I guess now that I’ve done it, I can keep doing it.”

Rolling onto my back, I pull her to my chest, tracing my finger down the smooth line of her back. “I’m thinking I’ll be too old to outrun those blockers around the same time we’re ready for a new little tight end.”

That makes her laugh, and she pinches my side. “Is that so?”

“Then we can move back to Newhope, and you can start chasing storms.”

“I can’t be Liz Pantore pregnant.” She turns her face to kiss my skin, and I’m ready to go for another practice round.

“It’s only nine months.” Turning, I pin her beneath me once more, loving the big smile piercing her cheeks. “I’ll be clear and ready for you to pass him to me.”

“You can’t hold a baby like a football.”

“I’ve never dropped a football in my life.”

Lifting her chin, she kisses my lips. “Let’s put a pin in that.”

“Done.” Sliding down, I cup her breast in my hand. “We can still practice. I’ll be the hurricane…”

“You’re a tornado,” she laughs as I pull a nipple between my teeth.

“I won’t hurt you, girl. Climb on and let me put an exceptional bone in your body.”

Our mouths are smiling as our lips come together. “I’d expect nothing less.”