Me: My fist is fine and there’s no one to beat up. I took care of it.
Finn: Course you did.Thanks, man.
Me: Always.
Bray: And there won’t ever be again because we’re not fighting our own teammates to protect our COACH.
Me: Dirk will NEVER be our teammate. I promise you that.
Theo: I feel like drinks are in order when I get to town. I’m definitely missing a story.
Bray: I’m down.
Finn: Always.
Me: Let us know when you’re coming, cousin.
“I’m starving.” Avery throws her body onto my lap on the couch with a dramatic groan.
“Me too,” Declan says, falling to the floor.
Lips turned down, Beck assesses me. “I’m hungry, but I’m not doing that.”
“Addie is bringing dinner. She’ll be here soon,” Winnie calls as she descends the stairs, having swapped her work clothes for sweats and a T-shirt. We tagged Vivi out a few minutes ago, and she beelined for the door immediately. Can’t blame her. I can’t imagine being stuck with six kids all day long by myself.
Hope is home too. The baby is sleeping, and she and her older girls are out back feeding and playing with the raccoons.
Raccoons. I shake my head. The Langfields have had them for as long as I’ve known them. Doesn’t make it any less weird.
A car door slams out front, and Winnie heads to the foyer. “There’s your auntie now.”
Nerves swamp me, making my stomach clench. Is she still pissed? It’s been a few hours, so if I’m lucky, she’s cooled down.
“Oh my god, that smells so good. Also, did you buy out the joint?” Winnie’s voice floats down the hallway.
When a wall of pizza boxes with legs marches into the room, I jump up and take them. To my surprise, Adeline lets me without biting my head off.
“Where’s Antonio’s?” Winnie asks, squinting at the name on top of the boxes.
Adeline’s eyes go to mine when she answers. “Off Commonwealth.”
My heart is suddenly in my throat again. She went to Antonio’s? Why?
“Isn’t that across town?” Winnie says with a frown.
Adeline frowns back, the resemblance between the two easy to spot. “Um yeah?”
“Why would you go so far out of the way?” Winnie grumbles.
“They make good pizza,” Adeline retorts.
“It’s my daddy’s favorite,” Avery chirps.
I peek over my shoulder, pizza boxes in hand, and smile at my girl, who’s still sprawled out on the couch. The way she looks up at me, like she adores everything about me, has my heart swelling.
“See? Told you it’s good.” Addie sticks out her tongue at her sister.
“I want pizza,” Declan shouts.
