Page 87 of Dump Tackle My Heart
Dani’s watching Noah Walker like she’s trying to figure out if she’s imagining things.
I smirk, leaning over to steal a sip from her champagne glass before replying, “Never say never, love.”
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned—after a snowstorm, a rugby tournament, and a holiday whirlwind—it’s that some stories start in the most unexpected places.
A power outage.
A cabin in the mountains.
A second chance neither of us saw coming.
Ours started here. Right in this house. On this team. In this town.
And now, we’re engaged.
Now, we’re building something real.
And I have a feeling there’s more to come for the Rovers in Consequence.
Just then, the countdown hits.
“Ten… nine… eight…”
The entire team house joins in, voices overlapping, hands raised, everyone buzzed, and beaming.
There’s glitter in the air.
Someone’s uncorked another bottle.
The fireplace pops with sparks like it’s celebrating too.
“Three… two… one…”
The ball drops, and the whole room erupts into cheers, applause, and clinking glasses.
Laughter, whistles, wolf-howls from the pack of overgrown rugby players I call family.
And kisses.
Everywhere I look—Koa’s got his arm around Finley, Luca’s lifting Annabeth off her feet, and Coach Dane and Carolina are snuggling contentedly.
But me?
I only want one woman.
I grab my fiancée and pull her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her like I’m never letting go.
Her hands slide up my chest, curling into my shirt as I cup her cheeks and tilt her face up to mine.
“Happy New Year, my love,” I whisper.
Her breath catches, and her eyes shine like stars just for me.
Then I kiss her. Deep and slow. Soulful and reverent.
The kind of kiss that speaks a promise straight from the heart.
Whatever comes next—we’ll face it together.
Dani McNally is my future. My fire.
And I’m never letting her go.
