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I can’t help but laugh at how the purest joy pours from Rachel’s face as it breaks into the most beautiful smile. “You’re serious! Oh my God, Vaughn!” Her excitement bubbles over, and she jumps up and down, and I can’t help but laugh with her.
“I’m serious!” I say, pulling her into a tight embrace again. Her body, pressed to mine, feels warm. It is like home, and I never want to let her go.
“Okay, okay,” I say, pulling back slightly, my eyes sparkling with mischief. “Now you have to go with me to the locker room. I want to show you off to as many people as possible!”
With a half-amused, half-skeptical look, Rachel raises an eyebrow. “You want to show me off? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Please!” I beg. “I want them to know that you’re mine and that you love me! It’s a big deal!”
My enthusiasm is too much for her to resist. “Alright, you win. Let’s go.”
Her hand grips mine tightly as we push through the crowd toward the locker room. The atmosphere is still electric—the energy of victory, the sweet perfume of it all lingering in the air.
I’m nervous and excited as we get closer to the locker room. I’m about to share this moment with my teammates—to tell them that Rachel and I are together. It’s like a new chapter, one full of promise and love.
Rachel stops at the door to the locker room and looks up at me, her face serious for a moment. “Are you ready for this?” she asks softly.
I nod and squeeze her hand reassuringly. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.”
With that, I open the door, and we are hit by celebratory sights and sounds like a wave. The moment they see us, the room goes quiet. My teammates, still buzzing from the win, are high-fiving and cheering, but all eyes are now on us.
I can feel their gazes, and I take a deep breath. “Hey, everyone!” I call out, breaking the silence. “I want you all to meet my girlfriend, Rachel!”
The cheers around the room fade for a moment, replaced by surprise on everyone’s faces. But it quickly shifts to excitement. Rachel waves to the group, her smile radiant. Pride swells in me as I see how effortlessly she fits into my world, as though she’s always belonged here.
One of my teammates shouts out, “Vaughn’s in love!” The room erupts into howls and playful teasing.
Rachel is beaming, and I can’t stop smiling as I pull her closer to me. I laugh along with my teammates. It’s the camaraderie and joy of the moment, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like everything is finally coming together.
“Congratulations, man!” another teammate calls out, slapping me on the back. “You’ve got yourself a great one.”
Their acceptance and excitement fill me with even more confidence in my decision. I glance down at Rachel. Her eyes light up with joy, and I know this is just the beginning.
Together, we celebrate, and I can’t shake the contentment coursing through me. In the past few weeks, I’ve faced chaos and uncertainty, but now, I feel more grounded than ever. With Rachel by my side, I know I can face anything.
Nothing Collins tries next will stop me from protecting what we have. I’ll fight for her. We’ll fight together, and our love will shine bright against any darkness that dares to come our way.
Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a victory in the game but a victory in our relationship. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this journey.
Chapter thirty-nine
Epilogue
Rachel
The soft glow of twinkling lights fills our cozy living room, wrapping the space in a warm hug. It’s Christmas morning. The scent of fresh pine from our tree mixes with the aroma of cinnamon and baked goods wafting from the kitchen, where Vaughn is busy preparing our holiday breakfast. The clatter of pots and pans and the cheerful hum of holiday music playing in the background surrounded me, filling me with childlike joy.
I walk out of the bedroom cheerfully, marveling at our new winter home. The tree stands tall, adorned with ornaments, each telling a story from our past. I smile as I recall our trip to the Christmas market, where we carefully selected the beautiful glass baubles now hanging from the branches.
“Rachel! Come help me!” Vaughn calls from the kitchen, snapping me out of my reverie. The soft carpet under my feet adds to the cozy atmosphere as I make my way toward him.
When I step into the kitchen, I find him in an apron, his hair slightly disheveled, and a playful glint in his eyes. “I need a taste tester for these pancakes,” he says, holding up a fluffy stack topped with berries and a drizzle of maple syrup.
“Is that a job or a demand?” I tease, moving closer to him.
He laughs, a sound that’s rich and warm, and my heart skips a beat.
He winks at me. “I’d say it’s more of a demand, but I’ll take whatever I can get.”