The Way We Score: A small-town, accidental pregnancy, sports romance. (The Bradford Boys)

Garrett is on the bar in his blond wig, dancing with Craig to “Work It” by Missy Elliot as the line of Thursday Night Dare customers slowly makes their way to the front. Tonight, Dylan’s testing out one of her honeymoon recipes made with Guajillo, which she promises is one of the milder hot peppers.

Behind them on the big screen televisions is the recording of the Jumbotron blazing in red letters, “She Said Yes!” after Garrett proposed to me on the field on repeat. Balloons and streamers are all over the place, and tonight I’m wearing a white sash emblazoned with “Same Dick Forever” in gold across the front.

We’ve been home a little more than a week. Garrett wrapped up everything in New York, had his things moved into storage, and while that was happening, Dylan was busy planning this whole surprise engagement celebration for the following Thursday Dare Night.

“Does this mean I’m not getting a push present?” I pretend to pout.

I’m in a booth with Miss Gina, Mom, Clint, and Rachel, and Dylan has just walked over with two additional servings of chips and pico de guajillo for Mom and Rachel.

“You’d better get a push present!” She sits on the edge of the booth across from us, beside Miss Gina. “That was a cover story, but Garrett knows what to do.”

I look over at my fiancé shaking his sexy ass on the bar beside Craig, and a smile spreads across my face.

Mom puts her hand over mine, and leans closer. “I knew you’d learn to trust again.”

I glance at her frowning. “What do you mean?”

“After your father left, I was so worried about you. You cried for him every day, and I didn’t know how to explain to you it wasn’t your fault.”

My chin drops. “I used to think if I were only good enough at something, he’d love us again.” I study the diamond ring on my finger. “Now I’m afraid none of this would be happening if I weren’t pregnant.”

“I don’t know about what-ifs and hypotheticals,” she sighs. “But what if this baby is divine intervention, correcting a past mistake?”

Wrinkling my nose, I look up at her. “I’m afraid to reach for too much happiness. I should be thankful for having the baby I thought I never could.”

“Pfft!” Mom shakes her head. “When has my daughter ever let fear stop her?”

“Not often enough.”

“Well, don’t start now.” She wraps her arm around me. “I knew your father so much better than you did, Olivia. It’s how I can tell you with complete confidence, Garrett Bradford is nothing like your father. He will give you the love you deserve.”

My eyes go to him again, standing beside the bar with Craig and looking up at the television screen showing us hugging and kissing with She said yes! in a banner across the top. His smile is filled with satisfaction and pride, not smug acquisition, and peace settles in my chest.

He’s my family. He always has been.

“I don’t know about push presents, but I gave Craig a stuffed chicken for our nesting phase,” Clint volunteers between bites of hot salsa. “I would’ve loved to give him a silkie, but we don’t have room for a real hen.”

“You’ll get there, just give it time.” Mom pats Craig’s boyfriend’s arm. “I wasn’t able to have chickens until Liv moved out for college.”

“That was hardly the reason,” I huff beside her. “The only thing you changed was the yard.”

“I was very focused on you,” Mom fusses. “I couldn’t have cared for my hens the way I do now with you at home.”

“How many hens did you start with?” Clint has Mom on her favorite topic, and I push out of the booth, needing to walk around.

“You okay, babe?” Allie scoots up beside me. “I know when I was pregnant with Austin, the third trimester was the worst.”

“I can’t get comfortable.” Holding the side of my stomach, I take her arm, and she walks with me to the screen door leading to the playground on the bay.

“I hated being pregnant,” Allie laughs, counting off on her fingers. “I got the rash, the hemorrhoids… you name it. It was like being handicapped for nine months, with a nightmare at the end.”

“How big was Austin when he was born?”

“Gosh, let me think.” Her chin drops, and her dark brown hair falls over her cheek. “He was around eight pounds?”

“Did you tear?” I’m still struggling with my old anxiety.

“I’m not sure. I wanted all the drugs,” she laughs. “Oh, wait—yes! I must’ve, because I remember the doc saying she gave me an extra stitch. She did it right there on the spot.”

“What does that mean?” My brow furrows.

“An extra stitch.” She elbows me, leaning closer and arching an eyebrow. “You know, to make it a little tighter.”

“Does that work?” A whole new possibility crosses my mind.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, looking down. “Jessie was in jail before I even brought Austin home.”

“Oh.” Embarrassment heats my neck. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s okay. I was pretty dumb when I was younger. Throw a bad boy in my path, and I thought it was so exciting.” She shakes her head. “I’ve come a long way, baby. Now I’m just trying to get Austin through school and into college. Jack has been really great with that.” She sighs, looking up to where Garrett’s oldest brother stands with Zane watching the boys playing pool. “He’s just been really… great.”

My eyes narrow, sliding between her and him, and I’m ready to say more when a voice I never expected to hear again sends ice through my veins.

“Hello, Olivia. My goodness, you’ve been busy.”

Turning slowly, I look up to see Warner Oberon III in the flesh, looking down at me with those cold blue eyes like a greedy cat finding a fat mouse.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m checking on my wife, of course.”

My head juts forward, and Gigi kicks hard in my stomach. “What are you talking about?”

“I must be out of the loop.” Allie blinks between us, and she shifts her stance to a defensive pose. “And you are…?”

“Hey, you okay back here?” That deep voice has me wanting to crawl into his arms for safety.

“Garrett,” I exhale relief, reaching for his hand.

He takes mine immediately, stepping up beside me.

“You must be Garrett Bradford.” Warner holds out his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you—and what I haven’t heard, I’ve read online or seen on TV!”

“That’s odd.” Irritation is in Garrett’s tone. “I haven’t heard a thing about you. Who is this, Liv?”

“Warner.” My voice is quiet fury. “Oberon. The third.”

“Aw, my bad,” Garrett laughs. “I have heard about you. You’re the dickhead who treated Liv so badly.”

“Even better, friend.” Warner leans forward as if he’s telling the most hilarious joke ever. “I’m her husband!”

The music ends, and the next song is quieter, one of those country ballads Craig likes to throw in. Nausea burns at the base of my throat, and I’m scoping out the nearest trash can.

“I’m sorry, friend…” Garrett’s voice takes on an edge. “What did you just say?”

“I’m her husband” Warner is more pompous, slapping Garrett on the shoulder. “Surprise!”

Now I’m really about to barf. Swallowing hard, I force my breath to steady. I force my brain to think as I trace through the possibilities of what he’s saying. I left Birmingham without another thought. I had all my mail forwarded here. Mason would’ve told me…

“What have you done?” Lifting my eyes to Warner’s I see the truth in his slimy smile.

“I haven’t done anything.” He takes a step closer to me. “You, however, have been a very bad girl.”

Garrett’s hand shoots out, and he grips the top of Warner’s shoulder, almost lifting him off his feet as he moves him away from me. “Unless you want to know what the inside of a dumpster looks like, you’ll back the fuck up.”

Warner starts to chuckle, and I wonder if he’s on drugs. Garrett is a head taller than him, and from the look on his face, two seconds from beating him to death.

“Hang on.” Holding up my hand, I turn away, digging my phone out of the pocket of my pants. “Just hold that thought.”

I don’t waste time on texting, and Mason answers on the second ring. “Hey, girlfriend!” His voice is cheerful. “You’ve been all over the news lately. I see best wishes are in order⁠—”

“They’re not in order, Mason.” I can’t hide my anger. “Warner just showed up in Newhope. He says we’re still married.”

“What?” Mason hisses a whisper, and I hear him shuffling in the background.

“That’s what I said.” My voice grows louder. “What the fuck, Mason?”

I hear laptop keys ticking. “I gave the contract to his lawyer months ago. He said he’d take it from there.”

“Did he?” My chest is caving in on itself, and I know the answer before he even finds it.

“I’m not seeing the filing.”

“Mason!”

“Why wouldn’t he file the papers?” My friend’s voice sounds genuinely confused, as if he thinks we’re dealing with normal people.

“Call his lawyer. Let me know as soon as you know something.”

Hanging up the phone, I turn back to my smirking… ex? “You didn’t sign the divorce papers.”

“My little pet.” Warner smiles down at me. “Why in the world would I want to divorce you—especially now that I know you might be having my baby.”

Another jerk back. “Your baby?” My voice goes high. “You mother—” At the last second, I remember we’re in a family restaurant. Shaking my head, I turn. “I can’t do this right now.”

“Come here.” Allie puts her arm around me. “Want me to drive you to your mom’s?”

Garrett is right at my side. “She’s staying at my place tonight.”

“What’s going on here?” Jack walks up, followed closely by Zane.

“You okay, G?” Logan is right behind them, and I want to die.

“Looks like the gang’s all here.” The sound of Warner’s voice turns my stomach.

“Garrett?” I look up at him, and he reads my expression.

His jaw is tight, but he takes a breath. “This is Warner Oberon, Liv’s ex.”

“Not quite.” Warner smiles, holding out his hand for a shake. “I’m here for my wife and a paternity test.”

“I’m not taking a paternity test, you smug asshole. I haven’t slept with you in… I don’t even remember.” Several people around us turn to look, and heat flashes in my face. “Garrett, please.”

His fists are clenched, but he takes my hand, leading me away from Allie and his brothers in the direction of the door.

“I’m staying out on the Island when you’re ready to talk, babe!” Warner calls after us. “I hope we don’t have to do this the hard way.”

Garrett’s hand tightens on my arm, but I hold him close. “Don’t.”

It’s a short walk from the restaurant to the Bradford house, and as soon as we enter the back door, I rush to the guest bathroom, dropping to my knees as I barf the pico de gallo and Liquid Death I had at Cooters & Shooters all in the toilet.

My shoulders heave, and angry tears burst from my eyes. Garrett squeezes into the small room with me, sliding large hands along the sides of my face and holding back my hair.

“It’s okay…” His voice is soothing, but I’m a wreck.

“Oh, God.” I gasp, reaching for tissues off the back of the toilet as I flush. “I hate throwing up. I hate Warner Oberon the third.”

“Come here.” He pulls me into his arms, and I lean my cheek against his chest. “Looks like Gigi hates him, too.”

“I can’t believe I married that guy.” Sitting up, I blow my nose, anger burning in my chest. “I can’t believe he’s doing this. And trying to say Gigi is his? What the fuck?”

“I wish you’d let me stuff him in a dumpster.” Garrett traces the hair off my cheek behind my ear, and despite my anger, I huff a laugh into another handful of tissues.

“I would love for you to stuff him in a dumpster.” His brow rises excitedly, but I shake my head. “It would only make things worse.”

“But think how good it would feel.”

Pushing off the floor, I hold Garrett’s hand as he helps me to my feet. “It really would.”

Leaning over the sink, I scoop a handful of water into my mouth before following Garrett to the stairs.

I’ve just finished washing my face and getting ready for bed when my phone lights up with a text.

Exhaling heavily, I walk across the hall to Garrett’s bedroom, where he meets me at the door wearing flannel pants and no shirt.

He lifts my chin. “What’s that face about?”

“Mason says we can get a default judgment, but I need to go to Birmingham to appear before the judge.” Looking down, I slide my hand over my stomach, dreading a three-hour road trip followed by hours in court.

“Is that the only way?” He leads me to the bed, turning back the covers.

“Short of Warner signing the papers.” I arrange the pillows so my back is elevated, which is the most comfortable way to sleep right now. “He fired his lawyer.”

“Does Mason have the papers?”

Frowning, I shift onto my side. “What are you thinking?”

“Ask him to fax them to you at the restaurant tomorrow. There’s a notary on staff at the clerk of court’s office. I’ll pick her up, and Zane and I will pay a visit to Mr. Oberon.”

“Garrett…” My chest tightens, and as much as I want this, I don’t want him getting in trouble. “This is my mess. I should handle it.”

Reaching up, he slides his thumb along the line of my hair. “You’ve wanted a partner for a long time.” Blue eyes meet mine. “Now you have one.”

“Yes, but…”

“You’ve got your hands full here, growing our little lady, taking care of yourself. Let me take care of this.”

“I don’t want this to hurt you.” My eyes flicker down, and I trace my finger along the line of his chest. “You’ve had such a great two weeks. I want you to have your time, and something like this could ruin it.”

“Nothing will be ruined.” Reaching forward, he scoots me around so my back is tucked against his chest. Large hands slide over my baby bump. “It’ll be a friendly visit. We’ll be nice.”

“Nice?” My eyebrow arches as I thread my fingers over his. “Who are you? Dalton?”

He exhales a chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of my shoulder. “I thought you slept through Road House.”

“I fell asleep that one time in Road House. It was hardly my first viewing.”

“We’ll be nice until it’s time to not be nice. Now get some rest.”