“You want to let me have it for a while so I can field any calls? I suppose some people who you need to talk to will be trying to get in touch.”
Thoughtful to a fault, Nate somehow always knew what I needed and what to say. A genuine smile formed on my mouth. “I love you.” I indicated I wanted his lips, and he offered them willingly. The smile I felt pressing against them sent a fresh wave of calm over me.
When I pulled away, I watched as the bright lights from outside danced around on his face. There was honesty, and such love and understanding reflected at me, my heart calmed even further.
“How’d you get to be so brave and awesome?” While my voice was soft, there was no real teasing in my tone.
Rather than spouting off with the sass he would have another time, Nate stroked his thumb across my cheek. “I think you just bring out the best in me. That’s what happens when my heart’s fit to burst with just how much I love you and with how incredibly proud of you I am.”
This man was going to be the making of me. I knew that as viscerally as I knew the sun set in the west.
“When we step out of this car, we can finally start moving forward. You can finally have that whole cake you’ve been dreaming about.”
I chuckled. “I want to share my cake with you. It’ll taste better that way.”
Nate grinned so wide, I was sure I’d never seen him look so happy. That such a feeling enveloped him now was a hell of a thing. Hope bloomed inside me. It was no wonder I marveled at how this man, this once scrawny eleven-year-old who’d talked me into being his friend, had the power to bring me a peace I’d never been sure I’d find.
Matt’s voice cut through the car. “Ryan, you need to prepare yourself.” Steel wrapped around his words, and he sent me an apologetic grimace. “I was informed by Micky not to share this with you.” He didn’t look too pleased by that instruction either.
Alarmed, I snapped my attention to the road and realized we were on our street. A couple of police cars edged the sides of the road, news vans filled the area, and a large crowd had formed.
The “What the fuck” that fell out of my mouth had nothing to do with any of that, though.
Outside of my building was a small, raised platform. On the ground stood an army of men wearing what looked to be official Vegas Stallions steward vests. It was what was on the platform that had my mouth dropping wide.
At least six of the guys from my new team stood on there.
“Holy shit, is that—? Are they—?” came from my side.
Speechless, I nodded.
The police had done an impressive job of keeping the forming crowds and media at bay. We were able to drive right on through, eventually pulling up outside the underground parking lot entrance.
“What do you want to do, Ryan?” Matt asked. “My offer back at the hangar still stands. We get you in. No one has to see you. No one will bother you.”
I glanced at him, about to answer, when Ryan gripped my arm.
“Fuck me dead.”
“What?” I jerked my head away from Matt and followed Ryan’s gaze. My heart full-on stopped in my chest, a fresh wave of emotion hurtling into me. Jayden and Sutton stood in the very center of the platform that had been erected outside my building, wearing matching T-shirts, both printed with the wordsWe love Ryan.
“I want to get out.” How could I not? Matt moved immediately. The door opened, and the volume of the crowd almost had me stumbling. Only Nate’s palm securely in mine prevented me.
I focused on the men on the makeshift stage, wondering who’d decided to do this and how they’d pulled it off. From the shit-eating grins on Sutton’s and Jayden’s faces, I figured I already knew the answer.
With all my attention on them and making my feet move, I zoned out the chaos surrounding us. The shouts and chants became nothing more than a din. I had no clue what anyone was hollering, and even if it was hatred, I didn’t give a damn.
I met Phillips, my team captain, first. I didn’t even know the guy, not really, yet he shook my hand and pulled me into a back-slapping hug.
“You doing okay?” he said next to my ear.
“Yeah, thanks.” I pulled away. “Just, wow... what the fuck is going on?”
He snorted. “Team support, Pride support, all organized by your two buddies.” He squeezed my arm, stepped back, and the other players swarmed me. I’d lost Nate’s hand at some point, but before I could panic as I sought him out, I spotted him hugging Jayden.
I stepped toward them, also noticing my coach to the side. I did a double take, and he sent me a wink. After acknowledging him with a grateful smile, I looked back at my friends.
“Wait!” Jayden said, thrusting his hand out to stop me.
