Page 204 of Even Exchange

Music starts playing, pulling my attention to the field, and the players run out from the tunnel. My eyes scan the crowd of turquoise jerseys till they find number thirteen.

I can’t help the dopey smile that comes across my face when my future husband, love of my absolute life, jogs onto the field. I can’t see his eyes, but his helmet is pointed towards the crowd, surely searching. When he finally lands on our group, he taps his helmet’s face mask and “throws it” toward me.

My heart swells as I “catch it,” tapping my belly, then press my fingers to my lips and send a kiss his way.

That must have pleased him because he has an extra pep in his step as he files onto the sidelines with his teammates. A text pops in, and I try to ignore it. My phone goes off again, and I glare down at it.

Jonathan

Your plan better work.

Me

It will.

Unfortunately, I had to unblock him so we could communicate about the blackmail of it all. I shove my phone back in my purse. Nothing from the situation at home will pop my happy bubble this weekend.

The reasons we’re getting married might be complex, but I’m still going to enjoy the hell out of it.

The game goes by in a blur till we’re down to the final two minutes in the fourth quarter. The score is 24-24, and all the excitement and screaming is beginning to overwhelm me. Noah got two sideline passes for the second half, so Theo and I are standing near his team’s benches, and I have a hand on my belly, catching my breath. She’s been kicking like crazy, and I wonder if she’s clapping for Daddy too.

A warm feeling spreads across my chest. I’ve fought his role in our life for so long, and being here, his ring on my finger and just a day away from taking his last name, I feel so at peace.

The roaring stadium brings me back to the anxious present. We’re on defense, and Noah’s talking intently with the coaches. I’m grateful he can’t see how worn out I am.

After all,he’sthe one on the field running his ass off and getting slammed by men four times my size.

Noah and the offensive line run back on the field, and I cheer like we’re watching a championship game.I can rest later.

The teams set up on the line of scrimmage, and I anxiously toy with the gold band around my finger. The stadium grows eerily quiet.

A muffled “Down, set, hike!’ is called, and within seconds, Noah’s thrown the ball through the air, their running back catching it effortlessly and bolting into the end zone.

“Touchdownnnnnnnnnnnnnn, Baracudddassssss!”the announcer shouts, and I spring off the ground with a scream, exhaustion forgotten. Theo and I double high-five. Vegas fans throw their hats and boo, but we don’t care. My eyes scan the field to see number thirteen heading my way, and excitement rushes through me as he rips off his helmet. Our matching grins meet, his eyes sparkling with pride, hair wet with sweat, and he rushes to me, sweeping me carefully in his arms.

He crashes his lips to mine in a searing, claiming kiss. If anyone was wondering his relationship status, it was made clear tonight.

We may not have won the Super Bowl, but I’m still getting a ring.

46

NOAH

I can’t shower fast enough. The team is set to fly back tomorrow morning, but with Coach Porter’s help—who must have been mighty persuasive—Knox and I were able to get a few days off.

I pull the suit jacket over my shoulders, my typical post-game attire. “You ready?” Knox asks, duffle situated on his shoulder. “Porter said they’re at the hotel.”

“Hell yeah,” I say, shaking off the nerves as we make our way out of the stadium. Knox booked a driver for us since it’s definitely not safe to walk through the fans to take the party bus with everyone else. Desmond is joining us too, so we’re meeting him at the pickup point.

“Yousureyou’re ready for this?” Knox asks me.

“For Vegas?” I ask, brows pulled together.

“No,” he says with a laugh. “The marriage. The baby. All of it?”

I think about my answer as we walk through the hallways under the stadium. I think about Charlotte and her laugh and how I never want to share it with anyone. And the look on her face right before she kisses me. Like I’m her whole world. And I think about that beautiful little life growing inside of her. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Then let’s go celebrate your last night as a single man.”

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