shows up on the screen. It's a surprisingly good picture, and a few people in the audience hoot and holler at it. Little do they know, we were totally shit-faced when it was taken.
“Yeah,” I answer. “He's my best friend. He and I actually met shortly after I was drafted, and he sort of took me under his wing when I needed it. I'm really lucky to have him.”
She smiles and glances over at the teleprompter. “That was almost six years ago, wasn't it?”
“Mm-hm.”
“It seems a lot has happened for you in the last six years. You were drafted into the NFL. You won MVP after only your second year. And you were voted Hottest Man Alive twice in a row.”
At the mention of the last one, everyone starts to cheer. Saige laughs and rolls her eyes, making my smile grow and my dimples appear.
“Oh Jesus, look at those dimples.” Maci pretends to fan herself. “Now I know why our audience is filled with women today.”
I snicker and shake my head. “Yeah, it's been a wild half decade.”
“I think anyone would agree with that.” She adjusts herself in the chair, crossing her legs, and I already know what's about to come. “Now, it wouldn't be my show if I didn't try to dig into the gritty details and ask you about the stunning girl you've been seen with lately.”
A light blush coats my cheeks as I glance over at Saige. “She is gorgeous, isn't she?”
The crowd coos, and Maci smiles. “Well, yes, but I think we're referring to two totally different females.”
A picture of Brenna on my shoulders fills the screen behind us. She's smiling happily with her hands on my head while we walk down the street. It's not a picture I've ever seen before, but I have to admit, it's a good one.
“That's me!” she yells in the audience. “Mommy, look! That's me!”
Saige shushes her, but Maci turns toward the sound and lights up. “Oh, she's here. My, you're even cuter in person.” She turns her attention back to me. “Can she come join you?”
It wasn't in the plan, but who am I to say no? I look over at Saige to make sure she's okay with it, and she tells Brenna to go. B runs up on stage and jumps into my lap.
“And what's your name, sweetheart?” Maci asks her.
“Brenna.”
The whole crowd is mesmerized by her, but I'm not surprised. She snuggles into my chest, and my heart melts.
“Well, it's very nice to meet you, Brenna.” She focuses on me. “She looks very comfortable with you.”
I smile. “I would hope so.”
Another picture comes on the screen, this time one from the Packers game. It's one of the few Saige took outside the locker room, the first day Brenna called me Daddy. Even the memory alone has me getting choked up again.
“Now, a lot of people have been speculating that you are, in fact, her father,” she says, and glances back at the screen. “I mean, who wouldn't wonder, with those killer dimples you both seem to possess.”
“They're our secret weapon!” Brenna tells her excitedly, making everyone laugh.
“And what a great secret weapon to have.” She pauses to add dramatic effect. “So, Colby. I like things cut, dry, and simple, so I'm just going to come out and ask. Is she yours?”
I look down at Brenna, who blinks up at me with green eyes that match my own and a smile that could melt icebergs. “Yeah. She’s my daughter.”
Brenna giggles as the whole place erupts, and I tickle her sides. When I glance over at Saige, she's wiping away a tear and flips me off when I silently tease her for it. I kiss Brenna's forehead and send her back over to her mom.
“Well,” Maci sighs. “That must be nice to get out in the open after all this time, huh?”
“It is. I've never wanted to hide her or anything like that. But with fame comes its own set of dangers, and her safety is always our first priority.”
She nods in understanding. “Well, it's funny you mention that, because it brings me to my next question. Where has she been all these years? Because people have noticed there aren't any pictures or anything of you with an infant.”
Here it is. The moment I'm supposed to put the blame on Saige and walk out of here with my reputation untarnished, but I can't do it. We've both made our fair share of mistakes in the past, but no one