Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,66
but if we don't place the blame on her, it makes it look like you chose not to be in your daughter's life.”
She isn't even finished talking before Colby shakes his head. “No. Absolutely not. In no possible scenario am I going to be okay with throwing Saige under the bus.”
“Colby,” I say, but he levels me with a look.
“No, Saige. It's not happening.”
I pull myself free and place my hands on his face. “Don't ruin yourself to save me. There are millions of people who love you.”
His eyes scan my face intently. “But the only one I love is you.”
“I know, baby, but we'll make it through it. All I'm saying is if that's what's best for you, I'll take the blame for this. It's mine, anyway.”
He doesn't answer. Instead, he exhales and presses his lips to mine, not caring a single bit about the people who all need his attention for one thing or another. All that matters is him and me.
20
COLBY
There have been a lot of times in my life when I was nervous, the most recent being when I pulled the Hail Mary of all plans to get Saige back in my arms where she belongs. However, this moment may be right up there with it. In a few short minutes, I'm going to go out on stage, and admit to everyone watching that Brenna is my daughter. There isn't a single part of me that doesn't want to do it. I want the whole world to know she's mine. But that doesn't make me any less nervous.
Putting her in the spotlight is one thing. People speculate and toss around rumors like it's their job, but confirming it is something else entirely. She won't just be the cute little girl in my life anymore. She'll be known as Colby Hendrix's daughter. Her entire life is about to change, and she doesn't even know it.
“Relax,” Saige tells me. “You're going to be fine. Where's all that confidence you seem to have so much of?”
I chuckle. “Babe, I excel at three things—the three S's—sports, sex, and sarcasm. Talking about my personal life in an interview? Not so much.”
She giggles at me, and the sound seeps down into my soul.
“I need you to come with me, Mr. Hendrix,” one of the staff says. “You're on in two.”
I tell them I'll be right there and turn to Saige, stealing one more kiss for good luck. “You'll be where I can see you?”
She nods. “Right in the front row with Maddie and Brenna.”
We hold hands as we leave the room, only letting go at the last possible second, when she goes one way and I go another. I take my place and stay completely still as they make sure I'm all mic'd up and everything is working. Then, it's time for my entrance.
“Well, this is one guest I've been dying to have on my show, and it seems my wish has finally come true,” Maci, the interviewer, says to the audience. “Please make some noise for football legend Mr. Colby Hendrix.”
The entire crowd goes crazy as the doors slide open in front of me and I step out. I smile charmingly and wave at everyone, chuckling when I see Brenna with her hands over her ears and an annoyed look on her face. After I give Maci a hug hello, I take my seat in the chair slightly across from hers.
“It's great to see you,” she tells me. “Thank you so much for being here.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“Now, I'm sorry, but I don't watch much football,” she admits, and some people in the audience boo her. “However, I do know enough to know your team is currently undefeated and looking like you're on a straight path to the Super Bowl. How does that make you feel?”
I chuckle. “Which part? Being undefeated or the fact that you just admitted to a football diehard that you don't watch the sport?”
The whole room fills with quiet laughter as Maci smiles. “Fair enough. Fair enough. But really, that has to feel so rewarding but so nerve-wracking at the same time.”
“It is, but our team is really solid this year. We finally got our QB back, and he's been playing better than ever, so that really helps keep us all in line to perform to the same level.”
“You're talking about Asher Hawthorne, correct?” I nod. “And the two of you are quite close, aren't you?”
A picture of Asher and I from a party last year