Page 85 of The Masks We Burn

He smirks at my words and nods. “Your wish is my command.”

Then… he fucks me senseless.

But as promised, when the high wears off and we’re wrapped in each other, surrounded by a happy bubble, we make love until we’re nothing but tangled limbs and beating hearts.

And somewhere in between that, we fly.

Epilogue

THREE YEARS LATER

“Down the center! Go! Go! Go! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!” My voice is damn near gone as I run into the middle of the field, cheering with the rest of the kids as my boys celebrate winning a game we were severely down in during halftime.

Thirty-eight to six, to be exact.

We’d had one of our many heart-to-hearts in the locker room, with both me and Bell reminding them yet again what they were capable of. What trials we had overcome to get here and how, as a team, they could overcome any score on the board. Right now, at the young age of eleven, it’s important to remind them that sometimes it’s not the points that count, but the progress.

When they come to appreciate the growth, the wins mean even more. And fuck if I’m not proud as shit for the work they put in tonight. Some of these kids have been on the team since we first started the program three years ago, and believe me when I say they have come a long-ass way, and this is their last year with us. Next year they’ll be trying out at their middle school, making us damn proud.

Since we’ve started sending well-seasoned players into the middle school, the community has enhanced their involvement, pouring donations, supplies, and free advertisement our way. We’ve gotten so big we unfortunately have a little bit of a waitlist, but we’re working on expanding soon and will be able to reach everyone who’s interested.

I rally the boys for a huddle, but before I can register what’s happening, a crash of blue liquid comes rushing over my head. It’s only a small amount but it’s cold as hell and makes me shiver as I spin around and snatch up the culprit in my arms.

Amora struggles against my hold, squealing loudly as the boys roar with laughter. They’re used to her shenanigans and sometimes even help her with pranks. Who knew the girl was so damn playful?

“This isn’t a championship, baby.” I roll my eyes, brushing my hands over my now slightly wet shirt.

She shrugs. “But still important.”

“She’s not wrong,” says Bellamy, clapping a hand over my shoulder, and I notice a bag in his hand and smirk.

“Good game, boys.” Amora waves at the kneeled boys behind me, and I take the opportunity to move in front of her. I hold up the signal behind my back for the boys and busy Amora’s eyes with a smirk she loves so much.

“Come here.”

“No, you’re all wet.” She sticks a playful tongue out, pretending as if she’s going to run away.

“Because of you,” I point out, grabbing her around the waist and pressing a few quick PG kisses on her cheeks.

“I’m going to go pull the truck around. We have plenty of time before Blaze and Remy’s engagement party, but you know I got to stop by and get Lily.”

I laugh and nod, remembering when Lily had a damn fit because Spencer had disturbed her with dinner one night when she’d been buried under papers for more than twenty-four hours. The girl is not playing around when it comes to finishing up her doctorate.

“Alright, but real quick, I wanted to ask you something.”

Her arched brows pinch together. “What’s up?”

My heart slams into my chest, my adrenaline suddenly spiking from the realization that it’s finally time. I waited longer than I wanted to, but we wanted to get our businesses up and running and well on their way before jumping the broom. But now, it’s time.

The stars are aligned, and I can’t spend another day with her not being my wife.

“There was a time when the idea of being like my parents was the last thing on my to-do list. Imagining being with only one person for the rest of time was hard for me. But then you came and stole everything from me.”

I cup the side of her face, stroking my thumb along the side of her jaw. Her head is tilted, her eyes searching mine for what the hell I’m talking about.

“You stole my thoughts. There wasn’t a minute that went by that you weren’t on my mind. You stole my heart and soul. Forcing me to see that love is so much deeper than I thought. It consumed me like fire, taking over everything and spreading through my body before I even knew what was happening. You brought me back to life, baby, and after that, you stole my future with any other woman that isn’t you.”

Tears fall down her face now, streaming one after the other as she watches me take a knee in front of her. My heart swells in my chest, and I have to blink back my own tears threatening to spill over.

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