Page 35 of Falling for the Bombshell (Falling for #1)

Rhythms and Red Zones

Spring rolled into full bloom, and with it came a rhythm Linnie hadn ’ t expected—but fully embraced.

She was thriving. The job at the bank—initially just a way to help with the bills— turned into something she looked forward to every morning.

Her new department felt like a little family.

She had her own desk, her own headset, and every time she helped a client set up a plan that made their life easier, she felt like she was really making a difference.

Her manager pulled her aside one day and said, “ I don ’ t know what your long-term plans are, but if you stay, there ’ s a leadership path for you here. ” She floated all the way home.

That night, Blaine was already waiting on the couch, his hair still damp from the shower, a goofy grin tugging at his lips.

She dropped her bag, toed off her shoes, and landed beside him with a content sigh.

“ I got a raise,” he said casually, nuzzling into her neck like he wasn't dropping huge news.

She gasped, pulled back, and beamed. “ What? Babe! That ’ s amazing!”

He just shrugged like it wasn ’ t a big deal—but his eyes told the truth. He was proud. And more than that, he had something else on his mind.

“ I've been thinking,” he said, taking her hand and playing with her fingers. “ This apartment ’ s been great. But… I don't wanna rent forever.”

She looked up at him, her heart already speeding up.

“ I want something real. Ours. A house. A yard. A place wher e

Ember can run wild and we can… you know…” He paused.

“ Build a family.”

It wasn ’ t a formal proposal. Not yet.

But it hit her with the same intensity. The idea of a front porch. A nursery. Holiday dinners with their names on the mailbox. Their home. Linnie didn ’ t say anything right away. She just wrapped her arms around Blaine ’ s neck, kissed him slow and soft, and whispered,

“ Yes. Let ’ s build it.”

They stayed like that for a while—just holding each other, dreaming out loud.

Talking about white kitchen cabinets and backyard barbecues.

What kind of swing set they'd want someday.

Whether Ember would still be queen of the house once there were babies crawling around.

And as the sun dipped behind the city skyline, their little apartment glowed golden—filled with the promise of something bigger just ahead.

A few days later, the Locos had their biggest spring game yet—an outdoor matchup against their rivals from Bozeman.

The air was crisp with mountain breeze and the scent of concession stand hot dogs.

Fans packed into the stands wearing Locos purple, waving hand-painted signs and chanting the players ’ names.

Linnie, Bria, and Jillian sat together near the 50-yard line.

Bria was in one of Blaine ’ s old jerseys, cropped and knotted at the waist. Jillian had a matching Locos hat and sunglasses that made her look more like a celebrity than a football mom.

But it was Linnie who stood out most. She didn ’ t just watch the game—she lived it.

Every first down brought a fist pump. Every catch from Blaine sent her leaping to her feet.

“ GO, BABE!” she screamed after one play where he dodged a tackle, juked left, and caught a pass in stride. “ THAT ’ S MY MAN!”

Jillian chuckled, clearly impressed. “ She ’ s got the lungs of a coach.”

Bria leaned in. “ And the heart of a full-blown Disney princess. You should ’ ve seen her when he hurt his ankle last month. She didn ’ t leave his side for three days. Literally hand-fed him popcorn while he watched film.”

They both laughed, but Jillian watched Linnie with something deeper in her eyes—admiration, maybe even a little awe. She ’ d seen Blaine in love before. Puppy love. Temporary flings.

But never this. Never someone who fought with him and for him at the same time.

In the third quarter, Blaine took a rough hit from behind while scrambling on a broken play.

He landed hard on his shoulder, rolling to his side with a grimace.

The stadium sucked in a breath. Linnie didn ’ t even hesitate.

She was on her feet, hands gripping the railing, eyes locked on him.

“ Come on, Blaine. Get up. You ’ ve got this.

” Her voice trembled, but it was firm. Solid.

Trainers helped him up. He rotated the shoulder, wincing, but gave the sideline a thumbs-up.

Nothing broken. Just a hard knock. Bria exhaled dramatically.

“ I swear, he ’ s trying to age me twenty years before I hit sixteen. ”

Jillian just smiled. “ He ’ ll be sore tomorrow. But he ’ ll be okay.”

And he was. Blaine returned a series later, a little stiff but undeterred, helping lead the Locos to a gritty 27–24 win .

When he spotted them in the stands after the game, his eyes found Linnie first. She was already halfway down the bleachers, waving both arms like she could summon him with pure willpower.

He met her at the edge of the field, still in pads, and pulled her into his arms like he didn ’ t care who saw.

She wrapped around him just as tightly. Bria watched with a teasing smirk but quieted when she saw her mom ’ s expression. Jillian ’ s eyes were misty.

“ You okay, Mom?” Bria asked.

Jillian nodded, her voice quiet. “ Yeah. I just… I wasn ’ t sure anyone would ever love him like that. Like this .”

Bria didn ’ t say anything right away. Then she nudged her. “ You raised him right, you know. She just meets him where he is.”

They stayed a little longer, watching Blaine and Linnie talk softly on the sideline, forehead to forehead like the rest of the world didn ’ t exist. And in that moment, it wasn ’ t just about football, or wins, or the future they were building.

It was about finding the people who saw you— all of you —and still chose to stay.

And that kind of love?

That was the real victory.