Tate dips his head down so that our lips meet. Such a sweet, delicate kiss. His arms tighten around me as he crushes me against the breadth of his chest.
“I missed you.” He whispers, smoothing my hair. “More than you’ll ever know.”
I close my eyes and breathe him in, getting lost in the moment. “Welcome home, Tate.”
“That’s just it, Eve. I’ve lived here for the last few years, but I never felt like I was home. Not until right now, with you in my arms.”
Epilogue
Tate
“We sold out again!” Eve beams.
“Of course. Everyone wants to see the Reapers destroy the Cream Puffs.”
“I need to place another order for the shirts with the Grim Reaper holding the platter of cream puffs. I thought the idea was cute, sort of campy, but I had no idea it would take off in a matter of days.”
“I did.” I smile at her. With my hands on her hips, I take a long look into the azure eyes that have become my grounding spot. My home. I need a dose of both right about now. “Everything you’ve done here has turned to gold.”
“Let’s not get carried away. Are you nervous?” She tilts her head and strokes the side of my face.
God, I’m so lucky to have her in my life.
“What’s there to be nervous about? The fact that this is only our second season up and running and that tonight, we’re going to play against a professional team? Who would be nervous about that?”
I try to make light of it, but I want to find a corner and throw my guts up. Funny, I never felt so nervous as a player, but now, managing a team that’s meant to be fun, I have a hard time keeping cool.
“You said yourself, these guys were mad talented. Much more than you ever thought. You’ll see, they’ll be fine. Besides, rumor has it one of our players has an uncle who was this big deal overseas, and everyone who’s anyone in the sport knows who he is.”
“But I’m not the one playing tonight. That part of my life is over. Now I want to do right by you, by Teddy, and by the locker room of guys that play for us.”
“People say Teddy has your demeanor on the field.”
I nod. It’s true, Teddy’s growth as a player has been exponential now that I work with him full-time. I haven’t told him or Eve, but scouts are coming to tonight’s game. If my nephew performs the way I know he’s capable of, he’s going to have a lot of offers.
“Good luck,” she leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. “Not that you need it.” If she only knew how much I do. I grab her arm and hold her close for an extra few seconds.
“I love you, Evelyn Robbins.”
“I love you too, now get out of your head and go kick some ass!”
“WHO KNEW BLACK SCRUMcaps that hide half their face would make professionals nervous.”
“Thank you, Mr. Doubting Thomas.” Eve sits up tall and proud in her chair and sips her champagne.
