Mav’s eyes narrow, and he shakes his head slowly, but Austin steps in between them.
“How’s the family rebel doing?” He holds out his hand, then pulls Mav in for a hug. “Still got all your teeth?”
“Actually, I thought I was going to lose this one last season.” Mav lifts his upper lip, showing one of his canines. “Caught a stick to the face.”
“Jeez.” Austin shakes his head, scrubbing Maverick’s long hair with his hand, which makes me smile.
All the Bradfords are handsome men, but I confess, my attention keeps pulling to Maverick like he’s a magnet and I’m steel. I love that I’m here with him, that we get to see allour old friends together. Thinking of him having the house cleaned, buying fresh flowers for me to come home to, warms me all the way to my toes.
“It’s a good thing I wasn’t in Newhope when y’all were sneaking around,” Austin scolds. “I’d have told Dylan and put a stop to all that.”
“You would’ve?” My nose wrinkles as I look up at him.
Austin is the oldest of the “children,” although he was practically grown when we were born. He was in college when our mothers met, so he never visited Louisiana. But I saw him a few times when we visited Newhope. He was always handsome, mature, and way too busy for us “littles.”
“He wouldn’t have told.” Knox gives his big brother’s shoulder a shove. “You were too busy making a name for yourself in Knoxville.”
“Hi, Edward!” I wave to the third man standing quietly near Gina.
Edward is neurodivergent, and in true Bradford fashion was recruited to be a kicker for the NFL team in Maryland.
He’s neatly dressed in jeans and a maroon long-sleeved shirt, and he regards me with curious gray eyes. “Hello, Dove. Is your family still growing peaches?”
“Trying to!” I lift the puppy’s paw, not really wanting to go down that path. “This is Kelani, Mav’s foster puppy.”
Edward walks over to where I’m standing, and he pets the small dog. “She looks like a Siberian Husky.”
“That’s exactly what she is,” Gina answers, walking over to pet her as well. “Mav’s helping us give her a good home until we can find her a forever home.”
“Why can’t this be her forever home?” Edward looks around the place. “Is it because he wants to give her toDove?”
“Aw, you remembered I had a husky.” I tilt my head, smiling up at him. “That’s really nice of you.”
“It’s true, isn’t it?” Edward frowns over at Mav. “Maverick said it was the best dog in the world because it saved your life.”
Mav steps forward quickly, clapping his hands together. “Hey, so I wasn’t expecting all the guys for dinner tonight. I need some more supplies. Who wants to go with me to the store? All of you? Okay!”
“I don’t want to go to the store,” Edward answers flatly. “We just got off a three and a half-hour flight.”
“Oh, where did you fly from?” I ask.
“I started from New Orleans.” Knox walks over and rests his hand on my shoulder. “They started at Austin’s place in Dallas. Did you know I’m in New Orleans now?”
“I did not!” My eyes widen happily. “Are you there full-time?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He straightens his shoulders. “Starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, and for the first time in years, we made it all the way to the playoffs.”
“How did I not know about this? I’ll have to go to a game next season.”
“I’ll get you a seat in my box.” Knox hugs me closer. “We can get you a Bradford jersey, and?—”
“She’s already got a jersey.” Mav’s tone is sharp, and Knox lifts his arm off me, holding up his hand.
“Or not,” he says, backing away slowly.
My brow furrows, and I look between the two of them. “I need a Bradford jersey, too…”
Austin’s deep chuckle cuts my confusion. “Don’t you have enough trouble on your plate, little brother? You looking for more?”
