Page 132 of Quarterback Sneak
I laugh and run my fingers through the back of his head. He lifts his head and smiles at me before he kisses me and makes me forget my name. I marvel at the fact that I’m able to smile today. With everything that happened yesterday, I would think that it would rock my world. And yet, it doesn’t. I now have this big guy next to me to thank for that. I was scared yesterday; no, I was terrified. But I knew that Zane would come for me. Deep down, I knew he would. Just like I know he’ll protect me from the next threat and the one after that. I trust him with my life. I smile as Quint and Zane tease each other. I lean against the counter and watch them. I’m not the same person I was a few months ago. I’m stronger now. I feel confident in who I am turning into. And I’m happy with who I am. Zane turns at that moment and catches my smile. He walks over to me and pulls me into his arms. “What’s the smile for?”
“I’m just happy. I love you, Zane Blackwood.”
His face softens. “And I love you, Evie Bennett.” He kisses me tenderly.
“Are you still good to go with me to my uncle’s next weekend?”
He smiles down at me. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He kisses me again, and I sigh against his lips. That is until Quint starts making gagging sounds that ramp up to full-on barfing sounds. I pull away from Zane laughing. He just shakes his head. “When do we get our own place again?”
____________
“Mom, Uncle Mick, we’re here,” I say as I open the door after knocking.
I hear a happy scream from my mom. “Evie, Baby.” And then her arms are around me. I close my eyes and blink back tears. I didn’t realize how much I missed her, missed this. When I pull back, I notice she has tears of her own in her eyes. But she turns to the man standing beside me with a big smile on her face. “And you must be Zane.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
She reaches up a hand and puts it on his shoulder. “It’s really good to meet the man who’s captured my daughter’s heart.” Her words come out a little broken, and I blink back more tears because this moment is everything to both of us right now.
Zane gives my mom a beautiful smile. “Well, she captured mine first.”
My mom blinks back tears and then hugs him. “Let me introduce you to my brother, Zane.”
And then my uncle’s there. “Hey, Zane. I’m Mick.” Zane shakes his hand and introduces himself.
My mom turns to me and hugs me tightly. “He’s the real deal, Baby. I would have given anything for your father to look at me that way.” I swallow hard, and she releases me and gives me a smile that is so full of goodness and happiness and not an ounce of sadness. “I am so happy for you.” She tucks my hair behind my ears. “When you’re given a gift like that, Baby, you wrap both hands around it and hold tight to it.” I look over and watch Zane chuckle at something my uncle says. He glances my way a moment later and gives me a blinding smile, and I feel his love for me pulse through the bond between us.My mom’s right. He is the real deal, and I’m going to hang on to him with both hands.I struggle to contain my happiness in this moment. I blink back tears of happiness. This quarterback pulled a move on me and snuck up on me and into my life so completely before I even knew what was happening. I never saw him coming, but I am never letting him go.
Zane’s grin widens.I caught that, Baby. That’s what we call a quarterback sneak.
My smile grows as well.Well, it was a good play.
Yeah, it was! I got the girl.
AFTER
Evie
“I can’t believe we’re just now doing this.”
Zane smiles at me and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest. He’s been doing that a lot lately. “We’ve been a little busy. But we’re doing it now, and that’s what counts.” Zane and I have boxed up everything in my room. Now it’s just a matter of carrying everything to his truck. I glance around this room and know I’m not going to miss a single thing about it. How could I when I get to move into the house with the guys? They’ve even given me my own room. Zane’s dad and some of his men worked to put a room in the basement. Reid is transferring to the basement room, and I get his old room.
The door to the room opens, and Quint steps inside followed by Slate and Reid. The room instantly feels much smaller. “Okay. What’s ready to go?” Quint asks, eyeing the boxes.
“Everything,” I tell him. “Thanks for your help, Guys. I really appreciate it.” Reid grabs a big box and slips out the door.
Quint stacks two boxes and lifts them against his chest. “We’re glad to help, Evie. You’re one of us now.”
“Thanks, Quint.”
"You can pay me in food,” he says with a grin.
Zane, who has a box already in his arms, rolls his eyes. “Get out of here.” Slate moves around Zane to grab my bag of bedding. Honestly, I don’t really have all that much. We’ll be able to make it in one trip.
The door to the bathroom opens, and Tessa blows in. “Evie,” she nearly squeals. “I’m going to miss you so mu—” Herwords cut off with a shriek. “Ohmywordohmyword. You're Slater Thorne! Evie, what’s Slater Thorne doing in here?” She lets out another shriek. “Why does he look like he’s going to murder me?” I whip my head towards Slate, and everything seems to happen at once. Tessa screams and runs out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Slate, who looks completely unhinged, throws the box on the bed and moves to follow her.
Zane drops his own box and steps in front of him, grabbing him by the shoulders. Slate growls low and fierce in his chest and throws Zane off him. I stumble back when Zane knocks into me. Zane growls back and steps back in front of Slate. “Stand down,” Zane orders him. Slate tries to push past him, but Zane throws him backwards. Slate growls and launches himself at Zane. I can’t help the small sound that escapes my mouth.
“Watch out, Evie.” Zane tries to make sure I’m safe, and Slate uses the opportunity to get past him. I jump on the bed out of the way, and Zane grabs Slate around the waist and jerks him backwards. “Don’t make me use an Alpha command on you,” Zane says in a gruff voice, indicating the presence of his wolf.
