The Wranglers kicked off and, on the next play, recovered a fumble. Our offense, including Axel, trotted back onto the field. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he lined up for the first-down play. He wears the shit out of that uniform, I was thinking as I ogled his athletic body.

“Blaire? Is that you?” came a voice from my right. I turned my head and almost crapped my pants when I saw Violet, Axel’s mother, working her way down the row toward me. Oh. Shit. Directly behind her was Oliver and… Oh. Double. Shit. Axel’s father was standing at the end of the row with a scowl on his face. And it was directed right at me.

I quickly glanced to my left and noticed that Hawk was standing at the end of our row. Bode was right beside me, and I quickly whispered, “We’ve got a red alert. Axel’s parents. Pass Carrie down to Hawk and tell him to keep her distracted. Please.”

His eyes widened, and he mouthed, “Oh shit!” I nodded and handed Carrie off to him before I turned back to my right to greet Violet with a big fake smile.

“Violet! I’m so glad to see you! It’s been so long.” She hugged me warmly, and then Oliver followed suit.

“That’s Carrie?” he whispered, obviously looking over my shoulder. His voice sounded affectionate, so I nodded. “She’s adorable.”

“Thank you, Oliver. It’s really great to see you again.” I said genuinely. I had always liked Ax’s brother.

“I think Mom suspects,” he said, giving me a pointed look. Just fucking great.

Violet grabbed my arm and said, “We saw Axel on the big screen when he brought the ball to that little girl. I thought that was you holding her.”

“Yep, it’s me,” I said, smiling brightly and ignoring her unasked question. “How have you been?”

“Fine, fine,” she said, patting my arm and looking over my shoulder. “So, who is the little girl?”

I glanced over my shoulder as if I wasn’t sure who she was talking about. Jeez, I sucked at this. “You mean that little girl?” I asked, pointing with my thumb.

Blaire Cavanaugh: Mistress of Espionage.

“Yes, Blaire. The little girl you were holding.” Violet’s voice probed me right in the gut.

I took a deep breath. “That’s Carrie. She’s my daughter,” I finally said.

Vi was looking over my shoulder and waving with her fingers now. I looked back to see Carrie grinning at Violet and waving back like she was a long-lost friend. Fuck. Anyone who knew him could see Axel written all over every cell of my child’s face. Violet’s eyes were like saucers as she looked between me and Carrie. “Her eyes… they’re… she’s… oh, my…”