Page 92 of Lavender and Linebackers

Next week is Thanksgiving.

Bryan stops next to the group, and Ross swivels his way. The biggest smile stretches across his face. It’s definitely a different smile than the one he gives us. It’s specifically for her.

“Lexi, I love you. Can’t wait to get home and see you later.” He winks.

“You staying local or heading to the farm?” Sully asks.

“We’re in season. She’s got a ton of pie orders, I feel like we’re making them around the clock.”

“Oh, pie,” Rico moans. “Lexi”—he looks at the camera—“I love you and your pies.” He now rubs his stomach.

A few of the guys laugh, while Sully smacks him in the back of the head.

“What? You’ve tasted her pies. It’s no secret that I love them. I can share my love bombs with her too. I told you, bro, lots of people.”

“I think you’re missing the point,” Sully chastises him.

“Nah, man. I think you are. Love is meant to be shared. It fosters connections, shares values, beliefs, and goals. It evokes a sense of companionship and purpose. I love Lexi’s pies. I love her because she’s Bryan’s person, and she treats him well. I support her dreams by being part of her community. I love you, man, because you’re my captain and I consider you a friend. I have your back, always. Isn’t that what we all are, one giant lovefest community?”

“Well, damn. Who knew he had that in him?” Darius asks, brows raised.

“I did. I’ve told y’all for years, I’m a lover, not a fighter.” He smiles, all proud. Bryan pats him on the back, accepting his answer.

“Who am I to deny Lexi love? Personally, I think she deserves all the love in the world. So thanks, man,” Bryan tells him.

Rico stands a little taller.

“My love bomb shout-out is for Camille. You are the best wife I could have ever asked for, and the best mother Claire could ever have. I am a lucky man. I love you.”

“How’s she doing? Sleeping through the night yet?” Bryan asks.

“Yeah, Claire is up to eight hours, and it gets better every day. She’s so sweet. Camille calls it her ‘pop and fresh’ phase. When she’s sitting, we can poke her in the belly, and she throws her hands up and giggles. Here, look at the video.” He pulls his phone from his pocket, finds the video, and we all lean in to watch it. Within seconds, there are baby giggles, and the whole group of us laughs along with her.

“Bryan, play it for the camera,” Danica tells him. He holds it up for Ross, who zooms in, and he plays the video. When she giggles again, we all laugh too.

“This is the best,” Rico says, looking emotionally moved.

“Well, it should surprise no one when I say my love bomb is for Alice.” Ross pivots, and I look at the camera. “Alice, for eleven years I’ve loved you, and we’re just getting started. I love you. I love you. I love you. Tell Felix I love him, too.”

“Who’s Felix?” Rico asks.

“Their cat,” Camden tells him. At some point, he joined us.

He said, “Their,” and I almost get a little choked up.

“You got a cat? I didn’t know that. I’m going to need to come over and meet him.”

Rico has never asked to come over before. “Why?”

“Because I’m a cat whisperer, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his brows and winks at me. We all groan.

“And he’s back.” Darius shakes his head.

“Chase, how about you?” Danica asks. She never calls him Sully, and it’s jarring to hear him called Chase.

He looks at her and blushes. “I guess I’m going to give this shout-out to my dad. Love you, Pops.” He nods at the camera and then walks past all of us without saying anything more.

Epilogue