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EPILOGUE

NAVY

One Month Later

“Think anyone will know?”

“Well, if they didn’t before, they do now. I think even the neighbors heard your moans, baby,” Bodhi tells me as we rearrange our clothes in the laundry room.

I smack his arm playfully. “Hey, I’m quiet, but you know how I get when you spank me—it’s my weakness.”

He chuckles, bringing me in for a long kiss. “Then let them hear.”

This will never get old. Being the recipient of wholehearted love and being publicly loved by Bodhi St. James.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would end up here: living together in a penthouse condo overlooking downtown Atlanta and hosting our first team family dinner.

It took quite a bit of battling to finally move out of the house, though. Kingston was less than thrilled and tried to hide all of our clothes, refusing to let us leave.

The guys living together has always made sense to me—they travel so much and just because they play for Atlanta doesn’t make Atlanta their home. It’s easier to share a place with some teammates if you’re single than it is to buy a place of your own and risk getting traded or drafted to another team across the country.

Thankfully for us, Bodhi still has another five years left in his contract with the Strikers, allowing us the freedom to buy a place here and plant some more permanent roots.

We haven’t talked about what the future looks like for us yet, but I’m in no rush. It feels good to enjoy being in love and not have forceful expectations from either side.

We’re happy.

Bodhi situates his jeans and the sound of voices in the kitchen rises, stealing my attention more than before.

“Did you hear Tenley’s bringing the new guy she’s seeing?”

Bodhi’s head shoots up. “What? No, I didn’t. They serious?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure. I haven’t met him yet. She texted me last night saying she was bringing him to family dinner.”

Bodhi exhales with a chuckle. “This should be interesting.”

I laugh. “Someone needs to strap Gus to his chair. I don’t trust him not to claw the guy’s eyes out.”

“He’s unpredictable when it comes to her,” Bodhi says matter-of-factly.

“Mhm. But she would never go there with him.”

“Pretty sure he knows that. She’s made it clear.”

I laugh, fixing the mess of hairs on Bodhi’s head. “She has her reasons.”

“Makes sense,” he says, pulling me in for one last hug. “Let’s go, terremoto. Time to make our re-entrance.”

* * *

“We want to thank everyone for coming tonight. It feels surreal to be surrounded by all of our favorite people in a place we share together. So, cheers, to family and new beginnings,” I hold up my glass of champagne, signaling a cheers to the dinner table.

“Ow owww,” King howls.

“I can’t believe this is your place,” Cal calls out from across the table.

Bodhi’s arm wraps around the back of my chair. “It’s pretty incredible, right?”

The penthouse we purchased is in one of the tallest high-rise complexes in Atlanta, and the view is spectacular. Our entire living room is encased with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for a panoramic view of the city, just like Bodhi has always wanted.

“It’s dope,” King says.

“I know where I’ll be when I need a change of scenery,” Tenley admits.

I steal a glance her way and pin my sights on the man beside her.

Tyler.

I don’t know how I feel about him yet. He seems nice—not who I would imagine Tenley dating, though. I should try to include him in the conversation.

“Tyler, so what do you do for work?”

He shoves his dirty blond, shoulder-length hair out of his face and smiles wide. “I’m a lifeguard.”

“Pshhhh,” Gus interrupts.

Everyone at the table turns in the direction of the harsh sound.

Gus sits directly across from the happy couple, with his arms crossed and a cocky smirk on his face. “What are you, twelve?” Gus bites out.

“August!” Tenley gasps.

He waves her off, rubbing his mustache between his fingers, waiting for Tyler to answer.

Tyler clears his throat. “Actually, I’m thirty-two. I’ve been a lifeguard since I was twenty. Can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“Cool, cool,” Gus responds, seeming to not care about Tyler’s reasoning. “Venom, pass the steak sauce, please?”

Tenley cuts him a glare. “Get it yourself, thigh buffer.”

Gus laughs and I instantly feel uncomfortable for them. Well, maybe more so for Tyler.

“Well, on another note, we have an announcement to make!” Kodi speaks up. Cal stands beside her, and they join hands, sending each other a loving smile.

I love seeing my brother happy.

Looking at Kodi, Cal announces, “We’re adopting.”

“What!” I screech at the top of my lungs. “Are you serious? I’m gonna be an auntie?”

Tears fill my eyes, and I couldn’t be happier for my brother and best friend. I run to hug them both, the rest of the table joining me in a big group hug.

“Yes,” Kodi whimpers, being squeezed to death.

“We’re going to foster for a while and see how it goes. Our goal is to adopt a child out of the foster care system like Mom and Dad did for me,” Cal says with tenderness.

He has the greatest heart, and I know he will make the most amazing father.

“I think that’s a great idea, brother. I’m so happy for you both.”

“This is turning out to be one hell of a celebration! What’s next? Bodhi and Navy, you got any news to share?” King asks, dimples at large across his warm brown skin.

“Nope,” I say.

“Actually, there is something I’d like to share,” Bodhi says, catching me off guard and turning to face me. He holds my arm up high. “You’re looking at the Strikers newest Sportswear Designer.”

Um, what?

“Wait, what?”

Bodhi smiles and I can’t help but let my uncertainty show.

“Bodhi…what are you talking about?”

He looks at me with eyes so full of love, I’ll never question the vastness of his devotion to me.

He’s my shelter and the keeper of my heart.

“This is me asking in advance for you not to castrate me for putting my hands in your future.” I laugh because he knows me well. “I’ve seen your talent, and I recognize your worth. So I went to the general manager and requested a meeting. He’s been working relentlessly to revamp the Strikers brand, and I figured that must include uniforms, merch, and all the other sportswear. I showed him your sketchbook and it took very little convincing. You have a meeting in two weeks to present your plans to the League and the job is yours.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I screech, covering my hand over my mouth and jumping into Bodhi’s arms. “You’re serious, B? The Strikers want me to design their apparel?”

He smiles. “Yeah, baby. They want you.”

I can’t believe it. “So, no more reporting?”

“Not if you don’t want to. It’s totally up to you.”

Cheering rings loud around us and I’m overcome with pure and utter happiness.

I jump up and down. “Fashion or reporting? Are you serious? Ah! I get to design clothes…in real life!”

Although designing has always been a dream of mine, I don’t think I would have reached out on my own for an opportunity, yet alone volunteer myself.

But Bodhi did. For me. Because he believes in me and wants to see me succeed.

What a contrast from how I’ve lived the last half of my life.

It’s priceless to be appreciated and valued for who I am rather than what I can give someone else.

It’s love without conditions.

“Now, he did say, you’re still his dedicated party and event planner, so there’s no escaping that one.”

I laugh and the fullness overwhelms me. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Navy girl!” King yells out.

“Look at our ladies, makin’ gains and takin’ names!” Gus shouts.

These men, accustomed to fans screaming their names and being front and center in the spotlight, are rooting for us as if we matter just as much.

Because we do.

They’re our biggest cheerleaders.

“We’ve got Kodi, the Sports Illustrated photographer, and we’ve got Navy, the newest sportswear designer. Who’s next?” King announces, circling his sights around the table.

I turn to Tenley with a smile. “You’re up.”