“I’m not the only legend, Hanson. We did this together.We’rewhat makes us legendary.”
I kiss her hard, reveling in the feel of her. She’s right. Adeline Langfield is the love of my life and if this is the end of my career, then what a fucking way to go.
EPILOGUE
Addie
“You’re goingto get us caught.” I push against JJ’s chest and spin in his arms to face the sink. I’ve been trying to collect all the glasses people keep putting down around the house, but every time I take another step, I find one more.
“Right.” Finn lets out a sarcastic laugh as he steps in through the back door in an Olaf costume. He was all excited when Hope’s girls asked him to join in on their family costume until he realized they didn’t want him to be Kristoff to Hope’s Anna, but rather the dopey snowman. He still dressed up, of course. He’ll do anything to make her girls smile. “Because no one knows you’re together or that he’s always got his tongue down your throat.”
I roll my eyes at my older brother and focus on the sink. “Are the kids ready to do the piñata? It’s freezing outside.”
It’s Avery’s fifth birthday, and because we missed Halloween, JJ suggested her party be Halloween themed. My father, of course, took it up a notch, and because virtually everyone who lives on this street is part of our family, we all went trick or treating, giving JJ the chance to recreate the missed Halloween with his daughter. My dad really is the best.
They all are. Every one of my aunts and uncles here tonight is dressed up and playing along.
When we got back, the kids begged Finn to take them out back to play with the raccoons, and Finn can never say no to any of them.
The past month has been the perfect combination of chaos and complete joy.
Our team is on fire, JJ is enjoying the hell out of his last season, and I’m reveling in every moment I have with both him and Avery.
“Yeah, that’s why I was coming inside. Win wants to know if you want them to do it outside or if you’re setting it up in here.”
I survey JJ, deferring to him. He’s the parent, after all. I still feel slightly lost when it comes to the parenting stuff, but between Hope and Winnie, I’ve got two wonderful role models who can show me the ropes. And when they aren’t around, my own mother is only a phone call away. Not to mention about half a dozen aunts in the neighborhood.
JJ shrugs. “If they aren’t too cold out there, let’s set it up outside.”
I set the clean glass on the drying rack and pat my hands with a towel. “Okay. I’ll run up to the kids’ room and grab the piñata, then.”
JJ grabs my hips. “I’ll help.”
Finn snorts. “Right. Help. Don’t take too ducking long. Dad’s outside, you know.”
“Race you.” I push past JJ and rush toward the stairs. The two of us are as competitive as ever.
JJ snags me around the waist. “Cheater,” he breathes out against my ear.
I’m giggling when he sets me on my feet. “On your mark,” he warns. “Get set?—”
I scream “Go!” and rush up the steps, laughing as he whines from behind me about cheating again.
I’m laughing and out of breath when I reach the top of the steps, but before I can celebrate my win, JJ’s got me pinned against the wall, kissing me again. I melt into him, my hands slipping beneath the hem of his Dream Team T-shirt. That was Avery’s requested costume. The three of us are dressed as superheroes for her dream team.
JJ clutches both my wrists in one hand and pushes them above my head, kissing my neck. “Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
“Who said I couldn’t finish? Bet I can make you come in thirty seconds, Hanson.”
Chuckling, he presses one more kiss against my lips. “I’m sure you can, but guess what?” He drops my hands and rushes toward the kid’s bedroom at the end of the hall, leaving me in the dust. “I’m gonna win.”
A shocked squeak escapes me. “And you call me the cheater,” I yell as I run after him.
When his hand hits the knob and he pushes it open, thereby beating me, I groan. But the sound dies on my lips quickly.
Because inside the bedroom, Brayden has Vivi pressed up against the wall, in a very similar position to the one JJ just had me in.
“Coach is right downstairs,” JJ growls.
