Page 138 of Playing to Win
“I love you,” I murmur.
“Baby, you can’t even begin to comprehend how much I love you,” he says, his voice ringing with the emotion.
“I think I have an idea.” I turn in his arms to face him, tilting my head back so I can look into his eyes.
“Thank you for loving me,” he says, his voice serious. “For supporting me no matter what. For always having my back.”
“You do the exact same for me.” I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat, overcome with emotion for this man.
He grabs my hand, resting it on the center of his chest. “Feel this? That’s my heart beating for you. It’s yours.”
I curl my fingers slightly, scratching his warm skin, the steady thud of his heartbeat pounding against my palm. “I’ll cherish it forever.”
“You better. It wants no one else.” He’s smiling, his head descending, those magical lips landing on mine and I lose myself in his kiss.
Lose myself in his arms.
There is nothing better in life than being loved by this man.
Nothing.
EPILOGUE
Ruby
December
“I can’t take this!”I’m screeching as I leap to my feet, the air stalled in my lungs as I watch our offensive line get into position, my boyfriend right in the back center, his deep voice booming across the field, calling out the plays.
The football players shift into motion, the ball is hiked to Ace and he backs up a few steps, his feet constantly moving, his head swiveling. I can’t take my eyes off him, my heart beating so fast I swear it’s going to bust out of my chest and when he throws the ball, I watch it arc through the air, spiraling, soaring into the hands of a waiting tight end.
The player turns, tucking the ball against his chest and running with all his might straight into the end zone, scoring yet another touchdown.
Natalie and I are hopping up and down, cheering and screaming. I won’t have a voice by the end of this game. I’ve become that girlfriend. The one who screams at the refs when they make what I deem a bad call. The one who antagonizes the opposing team and shit-talks them when they’re out on the field.
Not too badly, but I always say a few rotten things to make myself feel better.
Ace gives me grief over it, saying I should maintain a certain level of good sportsmanship or whatever, but I can’t help it. He’s my man and I’m going to defend him.
So there.
The season is almost over and our team is playing in a championship bowl. This game is huge. The fact that Ace and the rest of the team got here during his first year as the first-string quarterback? It’s a big deal. My man feels on top of the world and he should.
That’s where he belongs.
We’re midway through the fourth quarter and the latest touchdown just cemented their win for the most part. After that one loss, I don’t like thinking we’ve won until the time on the clock officially runs out, so I’m still wary but feeling good.
Natalie, on the other hand?
“We’ve got this.” She raises her hand and I give her a high five, both of us grinning at each other. I let her revel in her confidence because she’s enjoying this. Cheering on Derek. Being in a relationship. For two people who claimed they weren’t interested in anything long-term, they sure do seem to work well together as a couple.
My gaze snags on my other favorite couple who are both on the sidelines, their heads bent close together as they examine whatever footage Eric just got. Yep, Gwyneth and Eric are still going strong and we’ve even had them over a couple of times when Natalie and Derek are home too. Eric eats those moments up, being able to talk football with Ace and Derek, while us girls hang out. We’ve all become closer and I love my friend group.
I especially love Ace.
Ugh, how did I get so lucky?
The opposing team calls a timeout and Natalie glances over at me.
