My mom kisses my daughter, then turns to us. “Why don’t you two go enjoy yourselves for a while? Daddy and I can watch Marley.”
“Are you sure? You guys could probably use a night out.”
Dad nods. “Go on, honey. Enjoy yourself. We know how hard you’ve been working. And in case I haven’t told you lately, I’m so damn proud of you. People have been coming up to me all week, praising your cheerleading piece. I can’t wait to see what else you’re going to do.”
My eyes sting, but I’m smiling. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me.”
Billy wraps his arm around me. “Wanna go up the Ferris wheel?”
“Yes, but let’s get our baller shirts first.”
After I give my mom Marley’s diaper bag and we pay for our t-shirts, we head for the area with the rides. I shiver as we wait in line for the Ferris wheel.
“You cold, baby?”
“A little,” I say. He strips off his letterman and drapes it across my shoulders. “Won’t you be cold?”
“Nah. I’m fine. As you’re always telling me in bed, I’m hot-blooded.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I laugh.
When we get our seats on the ride, I immediately scoot into him, and he wraps his arms around me.
We slowly rise into the night, and the lights of Charming twinkle in the distance.
I take a deep breath, feeling really lucky. I can’t begin to describe the range of emotions I experienced in the last year, but somewhere in there, Billy became my other half, and I’m so grateful to call him mine.
I take his rough hand in mine. “You played great today. I thought I was going to lose my voice from screaming. Wish I could’ve been there.” I had to shoot another assignment, andthis afternoon was the only time I could do it, but I caught the second half when I got home.
“Your assignments are just as important as mine. Besides, there are more games left in the season.”
“Are you worried about the draft? I still feel bad about that agent losing interest.”
“It’ll be fine, biscuit. Don’t lose sleep over that asshole.”
I’m tempted to ask about his father, but that’s still a sore subject. They had it out last weekend when Billy went home to get a few things, including our napkin contract, which Billy says must’ve fallen out of his textbook. It now sits in a scrapbook I’m making.
“You’re going to be on ESPN tonight with that crazy interception.” He had another huge day. “And now that all of my parts have healed, I have to get back to my promise to reward you with back massages.” Which we both know is code for something else.
His eyebrows lift. “Itwasa great return.”
I laugh. “Maybe we could go home right after this.”
He grabs the back of my head and tilts my face so he can kiss me. “Have I ever told you how motivated I am by rewards?”
My hand drifts down his hard chest, and my blood heats. “How do you feel about naked rewards?”
He gazes into my eyes. “Draft or no draft, I already have the best reward, more than I probably deserve, with you and Starley. Love you, biscuit.”
“Love you, Billy.” So, so much.
Epilogue
ROXY
It’s biting cold,I can’t feel my face, and my toes are frozen, but none of that matters because we’re down three points against UT with less than a minute remaining.
“Come on, Broncos!” I scream, my voice hoarse. “Let’s do this!”
The stands are full. Seventy thousand fans are freaking out just like I am at the last game of the regular season.
