Page 33

EPILOGUE

CHARLIE

ONE YEAR LATER

It’s draft day again. But this time, we’re at Beck’s house. It doesn’t actually start for another hour, so we’re all just hanging around right now, eating and watching highlights of Beck, which the media team made for the players at the university. We didn’t win the championship game this year, but we did make another playoffs run. Still, Beck had a great season.

Casey is staying at Walker one more year, and depending on how they do next season, he may or may not enter the draft. He hasn’t decided if the NFL is the right move for him yet.

I’m sitting on the couch next to Beck, and my mom leans over the back of the couch and whispers in my ear, “Honey, I need you to run home and get that gift I got for Beck. I put it on the desk in your bedroom.”

“Why would you put it in my room?”

“Because I’ve been using your desk, and, well, you don’t live there anymore, so I’ve been storing some things in your closet.”

“Mom! That’s kinda harsh.”

Dad, who’s behind me, leans over and squeezes my shoulder. “You always have a room at home, Char.”

“Thank you, Dad. Glad one of you still wants me around.” I turn back to my mom, “Seriously, Mom, why do you hate me?”

Mom huffs and rolls her eyes. “Just go.”

Dad looks at me with a pointed look, so I relent and stand.

Beck, who apparently missed this exchange, grabs the waistband of my jeans and tugs. “Where are you going?”

“I have to run home and get something for my mom. I’ll be right back.”

I lean down to kiss him and stand back up. He nods, then turns to his dad.

I walk out the door and cross the street. We live in a safe area, so the door is unlocked. I climb up the stairs, then walk down the hall to my room. The door is open, and I look at the desk and see a smallish box sitting on the top. I grab it, then turn to leave when something catches my eye on the bed.

I suck in a breath when I see three pink peonies sitting on the comforter and a handwritten note next to it.

Charlie,

I promised you that, someday, I would make you mine for real. Meet me at our racing tree.

Yours always,

Beck

I drop the box and the note on the bed and run down the stairs. The elementary school we went to is at the end of our street. The tree we would race to sits in front of the school. I’m walking quickly, but my curiosity makes me anxious, and I start to jog, but I really don’t want to get too sweaty, considering I’ll be on national TV in less than an hour.

As I get closer, I see him. He’s standing in front of the tree. His hands are in his front jean pockets. He has a smile on his face.

When I reach the tree, I’m slightly out of breath. “Hi.”

“Hey, Boss.”

Beckham

My hands are in my pockets to keep them from shaking. It’s not from nerves though. It’s because I’m trying to slow down. I’m anxious. I want to walk back down the street, hand in hand with her, and go celebrate.

When she’s standing in front of me, I pull my hands from my pockets and reach for her hands.

“Charlie, do you remember when I told you that when I made it to the NFL someday, I would get you tickets to my games?”

She nods.

“You’ll be at every one. Then I told you I wanted to kiss you and that you were mine.”

She nods again.

“I still don’t have the best way to say what you mean to me. You know I’m not great at sharing my feelings, but one thing I know for sure is that you have always felt like mine.” I pull her hands up to my lips and kiss her knuckles.

When I look at her face, tears are streaming down her cheeks. I let go of one of her hands and wipe them away with my thumb. Then I lean in and kiss her. The kiss is salty from her tears.

“Beck …”

Before she can finish, I get down on one knee. I reach into my pocket and pull the ring out.

Her hands cover her mouth. “Beck, ohmigod!”

“When you ask me what the best part of my day is, it’s always you. Always has been. You are everything to me, and I want to call you my wife too. So, Charlene May King, will you do me the honor of becoming legally mine forever?”

She laughs through her tears and nods. “Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

I stand up and slide the ring onto her finger. Once it’s on, she adjusts it slightly, but it’s the perfect fit.

She puts her hands on my face and pulls me in for a kiss. “Beck, I love you so much. I can’t believe I’m going to be your wife!” she squeals.

Laughing, I pick her up and spin her. When I put her down, we hear cheering from down the street. Our families and a few friends are standing there, watching us.

“You know what this means, right?”

“What does it mean, Beck?”

“It means you’re mine for real reals, and I get to kiss you whenever I want.” I kiss her again because I can. “Come on. Let’s go wait for that call so we can finally tell everyone where we’re moving to.” I turn my back to her and lean down a little. “Jump on, baby. We’re running out of time.”

Charlie jumps on, putting her arms around my neck, and I take off down the street.