Page 126 of Wild Love
It’s over in minutes, and it feels a little childish that I waited all these years to come back.
“Do you want to stay for the rest of the game?” Dad asks me when I make my way back to our seats.
“No. I think I’m good. Thank you both for coming.”
Dad hugs me tight against his chest. “Your mother would be so proud.”
Johnny takes my hand as we walk out to the truck.
“Dakota!”
I turn at my name and find Coach Hote jogging after us. He really is a handsome guy. Age has been kind to him. His hair is a dusty blond, and his blue eyes are bright, only the faintest wrinkles giving away he’s now in his forties.
“Coach,” I say, squeezing Johnny’s hand tighter.
My husband takes a step, so he’s standing in front of me. I avoid looking at my dad. If he knew that this man—a man that used to frequently pick me up and drop me off at home—tried to have sex with me, he’d kill him and maybe me for keeping it from him.
Coach Hote must understand the situation isn’t altogether friendly. He holds up both hands. “I just wanted to offer my congratulations. You were a great runner. I was sad to hear you gave it up. I hope it wasn’t because of our misunderstanding.” He looks to my dad. “Sometimes crushes like this happen. The teenage years can be very confusing for kids, especially girls.” His gaze sweeps back over me, and I’m frozen. Oh my god, is he trying to play this off like I was crushing on him, and he turnedmedown? I’m so angry I can’t breathe. “You look good. How long are you in town? Maybe we could catch up.”
Johnny’s hold is a vise, and I squeeze back equally as tight to keep him at my side. I do not need him to get in a fight and get suspended or fined.
“You son of a bitch.” Dad takes a step and throws a punch that none of us see coming. Least of all Coach Hote. He winces and shakes his hand. “Stay away from my family, or I’ll borrow my new son’s hockey stick and let him show me how to use it on your kidneys.”
Coach wipes at the corner of his mouth where his lip is split. I’m speechless as I stare at my dad.
Holy shit. Johnny tugs me away, and Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders as if nothing happened. “Who wants pizza?”
Epilogue
Johnny
On a beautiful July weekend,I throw a party. A very big, very over-the-top party. Mr. and Mrs. Maverick style.
“You have really outdone yourself this time,” Heath says, sitting next to me at a table covered in white linens and colorful floral arrangements. So many floral arrangements. Roses in every color. Candles, fairy lights, music, dancing, food, and a four-tier cake.
All of it for her.
Dakota meets my gaze from the dance floor. She and the girls are in a circle, moving to the beat and belting out the lyrics. I can’t hear her from here, but I feel the place she’s belting it out from. Bliss. Home. I’ve found my person.
One year after our Vegas wedding, we’re celebrating our anniversary with the wedding I should have given her the first time. I have regrets, but it’s hard to add that one to the list. Still, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t try to give her everything she missed out on.
“What about you and Ginny?” I ask my buddy. “You buy a ring yet?”
“Without your help?” He laughs and tips back the beer in his hand. After he’s drained it, he stands. “Soon. I just want to finish school first and get my signing bonus so I can buy a huge diamond.” He moves his hands apart wider than his body.
Without warning, Ginny throws herself between his arms and wraps her arms around his chest. “Come dance with me.”
He tosses his empty bottle and sweeps her off her feet. “Great idea, baby doll.”
I find Adam and Rhett standing shoulder to shoulder on the edge of the dance floor watching their girls.
“Gentleman,” I say, stepping between them.
“The man of the night.” Adam holds up his drink. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you guys coming.”
“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss it.” Rhett rocks back on his heels. “Who would have thought you’d be the first to get married?”
