She smiles, and this time, it reaches her eyes. "I'm glad."
I bump my knee against hers. "You sure you're up for all this? The ceremony, the press, the whole thing? It's a lot."
Madison takes a deep breath, her gaze steady as she looks up at me. "I didn't spend four years getting a music therapy degree just to bail when things get loud, Montgomery." She reaches for my hand, her fingers lacing through mine. "I can handle it. If you can ride out my panic attacks and daddy issues, I can handle a few cameras."
I laugh, pulling her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Fair enough."
"Alright, family photo time!" my mom announces, clapping her hands. "Everyone gather around Jaxon."
Madison starts to slip off the bed, but I catch her hand.
"Where are you going?" I ask, frowning.
She blinks, confused. "It's a family photo."
Something shifts in my chest, tight and aching. I stand, pulling her with me, my voice low but firm. "Exactly."
For half a second, uncertainty flickers in her eyes. Then, she swallows, nodding once as she lets me guide her toward my family.
I slip my arm around her waist, tucking her against my side as everyone arranges themselves for the photo. My mom beams at us, reaching over to adjust Madison's hair with a gentle hand.
"Perfect," she says, her eyes shining with pride.
The photographer counts down, and just before the shutter clicks, I lean in to press a kiss to the top of Madison's head. She exhales, relaxing into me, and in that moment, everything feels exactly as it should be.
The draft venue is even more chaotic than the hotel. Camera flashes strobe across the room, voices bouncing off the walls as analysts discuss prospects, teams, potential picks. I'm seated at a table with my family, my agent hovering nearby as we wait for things to begin.
Madison sits beside me, her hand in mine beneath the table. She looks stunning in a deep green dress that brings out the gold in her eyes, her dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. But it's the quiet confidence in her posture, the steady set of her jaw, that catches me off guard.
She's nervous—I can tell by the way her fingers tap against her knee when she thinks I'm not watching—but she's here, fully present, fully in this moment with me. That means more than I could ever put into words.
A flash of movement catches my eye, and I glance up to see Carter making his way toward us, weaving through the crowd with typical Hayes confidence. When Madison spots him, her face lights up, and she's on her feet in an instant, meeting him halfway.
He wraps her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. "Well, well, Blake. Look at you, all dressed up and adulting."
She rolls her eyes as he sets her down, but there's a smile playing at her lips. "Surprised you even own a tie, Hayes."
"Please," he scoffs, straightening the knot at his throat. "I'm distinguished as hell."
I stand, clapping him on the shoulder with a grin. "Glad you made it, man."
Carter's expression softens, something like pride flashing in his eyes. "Wouldn't miss it." He glances between Madison and me, his smirk returning. "Plus, someone's gotta keep an eye on you two troublemakers."
Madison snorts. "Because you're the responsible one."
"Compared to you? Absolutely."
My agent approaches, clipboard in hand, his expression serious as he leans in to speak. "We're hearing some chatter about Charleston possibly trading up. If they do, they might be looking at you. You good with that?"
I glance at Madison, whose eyebrows lift slightly.
"New Haven is good," I say. "East Coast, strong offensive coach, solid system."
He nods, making a note. "Alright. They're about to start. You ready?"
I take a deep breath, squeezing Madison's hand once before answering. "Yeah. Let's do this."
The first two picks are as expected—both quarterbacks, both to teams desperately needing new leadership. I lean back in my chair, trying to keep my expression neutral even as my heart hammers against my ribs.
