Page 65 of Flame After the Fumble

As we pull up to the private beach cut-out, I take a deep breath, centering myself for the changes that will come our way this year. Liza and I are entering our senior year in the fall, and I’d love to find a house for us to buy when I sign my first NFL contract in a new city. Violet and Ryan are living in the apartment with us until Vi graduates.

“Hart, it’s gorgeous.” Liza grips my arm as I throw the car in park. She admires the sunset hitting the water in such a way that the light reflects off in a rainbow. “She’s going to love it.”

Since Liza wasn’t willing to give up the heels, I retrieved her from the passenger side and guide her through the patchy sand to the tables. White linens drape across the three long tables with just enough seats for everyone to fit. Liza leaves my arms to fine tune the bouquets that she set out this morning. “You outdid yourself.” Walking up to her, I saddle along her side once again.

“I hope she feels the same way. They should be here—” She glances at the rose gold watch on her wrist, a Christmas present that I spent hours picking out to match heraesthetic. “—in about fifteen minutes.”

“You killed it, Liza!” Emberly shouts as her and Gage fight the sand to make it to the tables. The waves crash against the pebbled rock shoreline creating a quaint background soundtrack to the night. “It’s stunning.” Gage lets go of Emberly’s balled up dress allowing it to flow against the sand.

“Parties here!” A familiar voice tumbles in from around the corner. “Who missed me?”

“No one,” Emberly mumbles.

“Be nice,” Gage assures her as he rubs her back. This guy might betoonice to match the energy Em is throwing down today.

Coming into sight, Mason rolls up barefoot with dress pants and a cuffed white dress shirt. Mason’s family is loaded, and he spares no expense on his outfits. In one hand is a plastic cup, halfway downed.Here we go. . .

“Are you drunk?” Liza sneers as she trudges through the sinking sand toward Mason, red hot anger simmering from her cheeks. I follow her to be back up if needed. She isn’t always right, but that’s my girl. And if she stands on something, I’m with her.

“Chill, Liza. It’s a party.” He reeks of alcohol and his pupils are wider than normal. “The happy couple.” He gestures his hand holding a drink toward Emberly and Gage, sloshing some out onto the sand in the process.

Liza powers forward, so close he could taste her breath as she warns. “If you even think about ruining this night for Violet and Ryan, so help me—” She jams her fingers into his chest, spit firing out of those pouty lips. Angry Liza is hot.

“How about I go sit down like a good boy and zip my mouth shut?” His eyes roll as he scoots past her, shakes my hand, then plops into one of the chairs with a white seat cover draped over it.

I grab Liza’s neck and slowly massage out the tension. “Breathe.” I nip her earlobe in the place she likes, granting me the pleasure of seeing the goosebumps rise across her bare arms. “I’ll handle him.”

Leaving my girl to tend to last minute details, I take a seat next to Mason to settle this before Liza throws him out.

Mason hasn’t been himself lately, on or off the field. “No cover ups. No excuses. What’s the problem?”

“Nothing you can fix,” he slurs, steadying himself with his forearm resting on the table. “I messed it up, and now it’s done.”

“Messed up what?”

“That!” he shouts loudly across the empty beach and throws his hand out toward Em and Gage. They’re laughing while dipping their toes in the cool water where the sand meets the waves. “I have to sit here and watch Mr. Perfect withmygirl!”

Hunching over and dropping my elbows to my knees, I push his shoulder back to gain his attention. “Emberly isn’t yours, dude. If you want her to be, do something about it.”

“Doing something about it would mess it up more.” His eyes never leave the back of her black hair. Sadness takes over as his mind takes him to the past, away from his current pain.

“Let’s talk when you’re sober.” I stand to walk away. “Oh, and don’t think about pulling anything tonight.”

43

Epilogue Liza

“They’re coming!” I yell across the beach cut out to my boyfriend, friends, and Mason, who nearly ruined everything I’ve worked on for weeks to make this super special for Violet. She deserves a fairytale wedding experience, starting with a gorgeous engagement party. She’s missed so much of her life due to other people’s mistakes. It’s time for someone to make her feel as special as she makes us feel. Hartley’s eyes dart my way, a lazy grin spreading across his hard features, as he gets up from the table and sprints across the beach my way. He’s a total vision. My hands fly to my cheeks as they flame from the sight of him, and how lucky I am that he didn’t give up on me.

I start clapping the minute I see Violet turn the corner with her fiancé on her arm. She’s smiling ear-to-ear and waving to us, but Ryan’s eyes never flinch from her. Ryan’s mistakes took a huge toll on their relationship, but he’s paid his dues and committed to change. I can’t help but commend him for that.

“I can’t believe this,” Violet’s voice muffles into my shoulder as she tackles me, causing my balance to stumble. “It’s everythingI ever wanted.” She’s in a strapless, white, satin dress, barefoot, hair cascading down her back in a half up-half down look. Her eyes show no fear and genuine happiness glints from her blue irises. Her eyes fly to Hartley next, and he’s wearing the most proud look with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He steps forward and extends his hand out to Ryan, a peace offering. Ryan’s eyes mist, as he sticks his tattooed hand in Hartley’s and nods repeatedly—a silent understanding.

Violet jumps at Hartley and latches her arms around his neck while he twists her around in a circle before dropping her back down to the sand. “I’m so proud of you, Vi. You deserve to be happy.”

Her eyes shift to Liza as her nose scrunches up. “You do, too.”

“I am.” Hartley juts his chin towards Ryan to continue. “Go have fun. I’ll catch up with you later.” Violet scoots away from her once protector into the arms of her new one, and the sight has me close to losing it. My hand raises to my belly and rubs, the motion becoming a habit before I realize where I am.I need to tell him.I took a pregnancy test a few days ago and the lines screamed positive only a few minutes after the pee hit the stick. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to tell Hart, but my fears of abandonment creep into my mind, convincing myself to prolong the inevitable.

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