“You ready?” he asks.
“Sure am.”
When we get off the elevator, Tessa is pacing at the end of the hall, along with Harper and Ava. Who am I kidding? Everyone except Maddox’s little sisters are out there waiting.
“She a foot stomper?”
He nods.
“It’s gonna feel like a heat wave outside for a while, boy, and it’s fucking winter in New York.” I pat him on the back as we walk down the hall to the angry mob assembled.
The Brit begins, “Links—”
“Dad, he didn’t know I was following him.”
“Maddox, I can speak for myself.”
“Lucas!” Tessa snaps at me, andhell yes, I like it. “Where have you two been?”
“Brunch.” I smirk. “You guys eat yet? We have a game to get to.”
EIGHT
GAME TIME
My kids, Harper, and Tessa’s boys pile into the SUV to head to the game. Maddox is being shunned,poor bastard. I know how that felt at that age. Who the hell am I kidding? I know what it feels like now.
I’m so glad the storm came last night and we had all these extra tickets. Tessa and her kids need to have one day to relax and enjoy themselves. Just like Ava, her boys will be heading back to school soon. I am making it my mission today to show them a good time and make sure Logan knows this is still our day. I can pull this off … right?
We pull into the parking lot ahead of the Hines crew following us and park. I jump out and open the hatch. I grab the folding table and pull it out first.
“What is going on?” Maddox asks quietly.
“Tailgate party, Maddox.”
Logan and I set up a grill, and Ava pulls out a cooler. She reaches in and grabs two drinks, opens one, and hands it to Harper. Harper takes a drink and nearly chokes.
Bad influence my ass, Ash.
“Be careful, Harper.” Tessa laughs and pats her on the back.
Ava hands Tessa the other.
“I shouldn’t.”
“Yes, you should. We’re tailgating. Come on; let your hair down, girl.”
Ava grabs another and hands it to Maddox’s mom, Emma.
“Thank you, Ava.”
“All right, little ladies, let’s go grab you some fan gear.” Maddox’s dad takes his sisters to a vendor walking around, selling foam fingers and tee-shirts.
Ava holds her drink up. “A toast to you, and a toast to me, and a toast to the boys that lick us where we pee!”
What the fuck did she just say?
I can’t even yell at her. I swear, I’m in shock as all the females laugh.