Page 191 of Glitched Play

Parker turns to face me. “LaGrange raised us. We were on the sidelines, in the locker rooms and Dad had his assistant watch us during the game. They love me the most because at least I went to school here.”

Witt rolls his eyes. “One semester. And you didn’t play football.”

“Still counts. See all my jerseys.”

Witt slips his fingers through mine as naturally as if we've been doing it for years. It's become my favorite thing about us. He doesn't think about it anymore, just reaches for me like it’s automatic. We belong hand in hand.

The closer we get to the family tailgate, the louder it becomes.

Greyson is flipping burgers with one hand while somehow carrying on three conversations at once.

J.D. has a football tucked beneath one arm as two little boys beg him to throw passes.

Noelle is laughing so hard she nearly drops a plate of cookies.

Matt catches it before it hits the ground.

"I thought I married someone coordinated. You were a cheerleader for God’s sake," he mutters.

She elbows him. "I heard that."

"You were supposed to."

“I can’t help it. I get excited and talk with my hands.”

Birdie stands beside Sutton arranging enough food to feed an army while Annika uncovers another crockpot. The smell alone makes my stomach growl.

Sutton beams the second she sees us. “You’re here!”

She wraps me in a hug before I have time to set down the bowl of pasta salad I'd offered to bring. "I hope you're hungry."

“Skipped breakfast because…”

Birdie winks as another crockpot lid comes off.

"Oh my gosh," I whisper.

"How many crockpots did you bring?"

Sutton looks genuinely confused by the question.

"Only four."

Greyson snorts from the grill.

Paulina pops her hip out. "Mom says only like that's a normal number."

"It is if you're feeding football players."

J.D. points his spatula toward the desserts. "And Parker."

"I burn calories faster."

"You inhale calories faster," Greyson corrects.

Parker grins without an ounce of shame. "Also true."

I lean closer to Annika. "Is it always like this?"