Page 12

Sacha worked to put himself together to his best. It was the first game of a new season.

Last year, they had loved swinging that camera his way for some reason.

Bandit had already left. A teammate had picked him up so Bandit could leave with Sacha.

It was crazy how Sacha felt as he headed for his bedroom door.

Well, Bandit and his bedroom. He saw the man every day damn near all day.

They went to bed together each night and woke up beside each other every morning.

Still, Sacha couldn’t wait to get to him.

He wanted to set eyes on Bandit, even if it was only on the field.

But damn, he looked fine as fuck on that field.

Sacha stepped out into a world of commotion. Dana looked beyond exasperated, trying to keep Baba in a wheelchair while Artem looked done with all of it. It was forecasted to be a decent temperature outside, but Baba wore her coat. Artem had his shoes on and keys out.

“What’s all this?”

Baba quickly sat, as if Sacha would spank her if she didn’t behave. “We’re going to the game. You took ages to get ready. I’m an old lady. This chair hurts my ass.”

Sacha blinked. He didn’t even know where the chair had come from. Sacha was equally shocked Baba sat in it at all. “You’re all going to the game?”

Baba nodded. “Bandit asked. He bought me a chair and everything. I couldn’t say no then, could I? That’s rude.”

A smile exploded across Sacha’s face at the way Baba acted as if she didn’t want to go, chair or not.

“Okay. Hold on one more second.” Sacha darted into Baba’s room and grabbed two of her million pillows from the bed.

He returned with his haul. “Stand up. You’ll be miserable if you try to sit through this game and you’re already hurting. ”

“That’s why I didn’t want to sit yet. Everyone kept forcing me.”

“Nobody forces you to do anything, Baba,” Artem grumbled under his breath.

Sacha put a pillow on the seat and another against the back. “Try it now.”

Baba sat. She squished her butt around, as if testing it out. A bright smile lit her face. “Perfect. Now let’s go before we miss all that sexy stretching before the game.”

With a headshake and a smile, Sacha headed for the door.

He hoped the wheelchair fit in Artem’s SUV or Sacha didn’t know what would happen.

Thankfully, the transfer and stashing went smoothly.

Everyone was oddly silent during the ride.

Sacha was fine with the quiet. He stared out the window and mused over the past year of his life.

Bandit had truly swept in and took over.

For the first time in a long time, Sacha breathed easier.

Bandit could afford extra nursing care and simply having his extra hands made all the difference in the world.

Plus, Sacha got to live his dream at his pace, and it was such a fucking relief.

It had been the best year of his life. He kind of hated it was already time for a new season, but Bandit loved his career. So Sacha loved it too.

By the time they got settled with Baba and all her snacks at the stadium, Sacha was already exhausted.

He truly didn’t understand why Baba enjoyed being such a handful all the time.

Every time Sacha had sat down, she had sent him to get another snack she had forgotten.

Lord, he hoped she didn’t plan to be this difficult the entire season.

Artem glanced around, checking out the stadium as if he had never been there.

Sacha watched as his gaze landed on the booth.

Tip could barely be seen, but Sacha still hid a smile over Artem seeking him out.

Tip had taken a job as a sports commentator for the team.

Sacha knew Artem always looked at Tip in just a certain way.

He had no clue where that was headed, though.

As the stadium filled, Bandit’s team jogged out onto the field.

Sacha stared at each one until he spotted Bandit.

Bandit’s head immediately moved his way, as if making sure Sacha had shown.

He smiled and waved before moving to warm up.

Sacha fought a happy sigh. Bandit was so cute.

He was like a little kid searching for his parents in the crowd during a school play. Sacha loved him so much.

Loud music poured through the speakers and the usual pregame shit of giving away prizes and whatnot happened.

He lost interest until the game began. Then Sacha was on the edge of his seat.

Nearing the end of the game during a dead ball situation, Artem nudged him and pointed toward the big screen above the scoreboard.

Sacha’s face was there for the world to see.

For a moment, he was horrified until he realized what he looked at.

Will you marry me?

Sacha blinked and then blinked again. His mind couldn’t absorb what he read. Then Bandit was there on one knee with an open ring box.

“What do you say?”

Sacha covered his mouth and fell into Bandit’s sweaty arms. He didn’t care. Happiness choked him. Still, he forced an answer past his lips. He knew Bandit likely didn’t have long and probably had only been allotted this time because of how many years he had played for the team.

“Yes. Are you joking? Of course, it’s yes.”

The crowd roared and Bandit stole a quick kiss before putting the ring on Sacha’s finger and disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.

He heard Tip talking about congratulations and things of that nature, but Sacha couldn’t hear a word through his shock.

That had really just happened, and he had never wanted anything more.

Bandit half expected Sacha to kill him for embarrassing him the second he stepped from the locker room. Instead, he was greeted by one of the hottest kisses he had ever experienced.

He chuckled as he pulled away. “Hello to you too. Where’s everyone else?”

“I sent them home. Don’t worry. There’s a car waiting. I can’t believe you did that.”

Bandit shuffled Sacha against the wall, crowding his space.

“Honestly? Me either. I don’t remember half the game because I was so sick with nerves.

If you would’ve said no, it would’ve been humiliating as fuck, but you deserve a big and public display.

You deserve everything.” The love that stared back at him made every moment of worry worthwhile.

Bandit would never again allow anyone to think he was single.

He wanted their relationship as public as possible.

Bandit wanted everyone to know Sacha was his.

“I would never humiliate you.”

Worry set in without warning. “Fuck. You don’t feel cornered, do you? Did I make you feel like you couldn’t say no?”

Sacha grabbed his face and covered his mouth in another soul-blazing kiss. “Stop. I definitely want this. I think I would’ve married you the night Baylor got married if you had been willing.”

Bandit chuckled and pressed his forehead against Sacha’s. “As crazy as it sounds, I was willing. I think I’ve always known you were the one for me. There’s always been something in my chest when I look at you. It’s like I just knew.”

Sacha smiled. “Same.” The breathless-sounding confession nearly took out Bandit’s knees. He knew they should move. Bandit wanted to go home and celebrate properly, but—another thought hit.

Bandit groaned. “I just realized we probably won’t get a moment to ourselves until late tonight once we get home. Baba will never let us lock ourselves away.”

Sacha took his hand. “I know. That’s why I hired a car and got us a hotel room.”

Relief poured over Bandit. He let Sacha lead him away like the lovesick puppy he was. “You’re perfect.”

Sacha’s sexy smile flashed his way, and Bandit knew his entire life had led him to this moment.

This person. It might have taken them years to finally see each other clearly, but Bandit thought that maybe made them appreciate each other more.

No matter the hows or whys, Bandit couldn’t wait to spend his life with this man who had stolen him completely.

He had never stood this close to fate. The view was amazing.

Keep an eye out for the next Sporting Pride, Announcing Love .