“Yeah. I like it. Plus, it’s your favorite color anyway, wear it.”
Abby’s face scrunches up and she grabs her phone.
“I don’t think we’ve ever even had the favorite color conversation, how did you know that?”
I pull one arm behind my head and stretch my torso out a little as the phone hovers above my body, giving her a good look at my chest and tattooed bicep I know she loves.
“Your lunch box is purple. The pen you use to leave all the notes around my house is purple. The little bathrobe you run around in… purple. Your toenail polish has been some shade of purple since I’ve known you, except for Christmas when you used red.”
Abby’s mouth drops almost in slow motion, her jaw hangs as she looks at me.
“You noticed all of that?” Her green eyes stare directly into mine, and fuck I could look into those forever.
“Abby, I notice everything about you.”
The buzz in the stadium today is electric. I have never experienced anything quite like this and I can’t even imagine how it feels for the guys actually playing in the game today. I saw Chase and Ford on the sidelines together, I don’t know if they were saying anything, but it seems they can at least be in the same space on the same field without it being a problem and right now that’s all I’m asking for.
Ford said his parents would be at the game and then they want to have us over for a late dinner and drinks. I feel like I’m great with other people's parents, but even with all my efforts to win over Andrew's, I still don’t think I ever fully got the job done. I think they tolerated me because Andrew told them to, but they knew from the start I wasn’t anything like them, therefore I wasn’t who they pictured for their son.
“Picture Ford, thirty years from now, still hot but just older looking.” Mia has met Ford’s parents a couple of times at games and has assured me that even though his mom is a talker and his dad is all business, they’re nice people.
“I’m not going to imagine Ford’s dad as hot, that feels… weird… and wrong.” I shake my head at her comment as we walk to our seats.
Fourth and two yards, I’m honestly convinced the few gray hairs I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks are from the stress of watching these games. I have my hand clenched so tight on Mia’s that I’m afraid I might completely cut off her circulation.
“I think I might pass out, I’m so nervous!” Mia looks at me as we wait for the play to begin. The guys are all lined up and I see Ford on the other end of the field, opposite a guy who looks like he definitely matches his height and weight, which is a first.
If they get this first down, if they win this game… they are heading to the Super Bowl. This is Ford's dream. It’s my brother’s dream. Hell, right now, it’s my dream.
Liam drops back once the ball is snapped and Ford takes off down the field. Nate’s hovering right near where the first down marker sits and I see Liam’s head turn, scanning the field to see what his options are. Just as someone comes charging towards him after breaking a tackle on the offensive line, Liam shuffles his feet to the right and does a quick flick of the ball in Nate’s direction.
“First down, Tampa!” The announcer calls over the speakers and the stadium erupts in cheers. You can even see some of the guys on the sidelines start to get excited and jump up and down, my brother included. With only a few minutes left in the game, and the other team having no time outs to stop the clock, they can just run out the time on the field and secure a win and a trip to Miami.
I can feel my eyes sting and the tears that threaten to fall as the guys run on the field and the confetti shoots from the cannons once the game clock is at zero. Mia and I flash our passes to the field security and run down to where the team is celebrating. You’d think they just actually won the Super Bowl with all the excitement that is coursing through everyone. I find Ford in the chaos of people on the field and jump into his arms. My mouth clashes with his as he lifts me off the ground and spins me.
“We’re going to the Super Bowl, baby! The fucking Super Bowl!” he yells and I see the emotion in his face as his words almost take him by surprise. A childhood dream playing out right now for these guys and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Once Ford puts me down to go talk to a reporter, I look for my brother. I find Chase talking to a guy from the opposing team as I approach him and he breaks away from their conversation to look at me.
“Congratulations, Chase! I’m so proud of you.” To hell with whatever awkwardness he might be feeling towards me, I wrap my arms around his middle and hug him tightly. His arms pull me in even closer and he kisses the top of my head,
“Thanks, Ab.” His voice chokes a little, but he clears his throat once one of the coaches comes over and starts ushering the guys to one end of the field. He lets go of me, but gives me a smile,a real smile, before turning to meet his teammates.
* * *
What in theFresh Prince of Bel-Airhell is this place? Ford failed to tell me his parents lived in a castle. Okay, maybe not really a castle, but it’s damn near close. As we pull into the private gate, Ford drives down a long driveway. It’s dark outside, but I can still see a lot of the landscaping as we drive in. Plenty of flowers and is that a little waterfall? I thought Andrew’s parents were rich, but it seems like Ford’s have them beat and we haven’t even been inside yet.
“I already told them we aren’t staying late. I want to get you home and have you to myself.” Ford’s words make me blush as he turns off the truck before getting out.
“Hi, honey! Oh, great game! We’re so proud of you!” Ford’s mom greets us as we walk in. “You must be Abigail. We’ve been so excited to meet you. Howard! Ford’s home with Abigail.”
She ushers me inside and I hand her the platter of cookies I offered to make.
The easy ones where you just pull apart the dough and plop on a pan for eight minutes at three hundred and fifty degrees.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you both, you can just call me Abby.” I reach my hand out, but she pulls me into a hug and Ford stands behind her and mouths “sorry.” He has nothing to be sorry for, his mom is so welcoming, it’s a big difference from what I’d been accustomed to. His dad walks into the kitchen and I’ll admit it, Mia was right. He looks exactly like Ford, just older. So, sure if this is what Ford will look like in thirty years, he’d still be hot.
Watching Ford interact with his family, it becomes clear where his assertiveness comes from. His mother has everything for the evening set out and there’s no question about how she intends for things to go. While his dad is so precise in how he speaks, he doesn’t leave any room for misinterpretation and I actually really appreciate that.
Ruby is elegant and beautiful, wearing a cream colored blouse with black pants and heels with her short blonde hair in loose curls. She’s probably my height without the heels on, I’d say they give her a couple of inches. Her eyes are the same color as Ford’s, and I watch as they change to a slightly darker shade as our conversations change in intensity, similar to how Ford’s do.
