Page 65 of Unmasking Secrets
His face straightens. “Marry me.”
“You can’t just ask me that.” I shake my head.
“Technically I’m not asking.” He shrugs.
James snickers next to us.
I cross my arms in front of my chest. “If you want me to marry you, I need a real proposal. One with thought behind it and romance—lots of fucking romance!” I gesture to him. “You’re not even down on one knee, Arch. Do better and then maybe I’ll consider it.”
“Tab,” his voice comes out like a warning.
“No!” I throw my hand up to stop his advance on me, but he still wraps his arms around me.
His lips move to my ear. “I love you.”
“Yeah, but you can do better.” I pull back and grin.
He nods. “Deal.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ARCHIE
Two Weeks Later
We’reup on our feet with the crowd. The rush going to my head as lights flash and the announcer calls it. The Lonestar Bobcats won in overtime. It was ahead of heated game with more fights than usual. From what I’d heard before the game, the team they were playing were considered rivals for years.
Tabitha squeezes my hand next to me. “Best date ever!”
It’s not even over yet.
We went out to dinner before the game, a local burger joint where we shared a strawberry milkshake before coming to the arena for the game. I have one more surprise up my sleeve.
It didn’t take as much effort as I thought it would. One of the women I served with has a younger brother who plays for the Bobcats. It didn’t occur to me before, the similarities of the last name. Becker isn’t a completely uncommon name. The biggest surprise was finding out her brother is the captain. I haven’t told Tabitha yet, it’s all part of the surprise.
We sit in the stands for an extra couple of minutes as people start to clear out. The parking lot is always busy with people leaving, there’s no point in trying to be in a rush anyway.
“Do you want to see something cool?” I look over at her.
She raises a brow. “Do I have a choice? Is this a trick?”
I can’t hold back my laugh. “Come on.” I stand and hold out my hand, she takes it without hesitation.
I lead us up and back down stairs, around the concourse, until we’re near where the team’s locker room, media room, and some offices are. Not that I’ve seen any of it, I just know from what Kate told me.
“I recently found out someone I served with is the big sister to one of the players.” I lean it and whisper quietly.
“Shut up!” Tabitha squeals.
“We just have to hang out for a little while. Do you want to stick around and then meet some the team?”
She has to say yes, it’s part of the plan.
“Um, do I love superheroes?” Tabitha nods her head. “Obviously. This is so cool!”
After another ten minutes of waiting around, most of the players start filtering out. A few go over to where reporters are waiting, a little media area. Then I see him. Long dark hair, down to his shoulders. Jude Becker.
“Archie?” He walks up and holds out his hand. “Jude Becker.” Then moves to shake Tabitha’s hand. “And you gorgeous?”
