Page 86 of Dump Tackle My Heart
The place Mitchell Knight bought to host team gatherings and to house some of the boys while we find our own places.
Yes, it’s the same one where I first kissed Dani, first made love to her, first realized I was in deep with a woman who would change everything.
And now? We’re here with everyone. The entire team, the staff, and our extended rugby family, to celebrate the end of the year and our beginning.
Music’s thumping through the speakers.
The fireplace crackles.
Someone brought champagne.
Someone else (probably Koa) brought fireworks.
And Mitchell Knight, our boss, brought steaks, veggies, potatoes, and a world renowned chef to cook them.
Because billionaires do that, apparently.
But it’s Dani who’s the star of the night.
Glittery gold dress.
Eyes sparkling brighter than the lights strung through the rafters.
Laughing with Finley over some media plan while still holding tight to my hand like she doesn’t plan to let go.
Good. Because I don’t plan to let her.
I wait until most of the team is halfway buzzed and still sober enough to cheer when I raise my voice and say, “Oi! Got something to announce!”
Dani freezes and turns red beside me.
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close, lifting her left hand so the diamond ring sparkles like a beacon.
“Figured I should make this official for those of you who weren’t glued to Instagram.”
Jaws drop. Then come the hoots and cheers.
Koa howls.
Luca tosses a handful of confetti in the air.
Even Mitchell gives us a slow, approving nod, drink in hand like some kind of mafia Don of rugby.
“About freaking time!” Finley crows.
But not everyone’s beaming.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Noah Walker, our Hooker, glaring at someone across the room like she just killed his dog.
That someone? Chiara Giardino, our team’s physical therapist, who’s laughing with one of the guys and absolutely ignoring him.
Dani leans in, sipping her champagne. “Don’t tell me you’re predicting sparks there?”
I lift a brow. “You mean Walker and Chiara?”
She nods.
“I know her. She hates athletes. Says she never dates them.”
