Page 96 of If You Claim Me

He shakes his head, unnerved. “That can’t… I can’t… I’m not a good choice for her.”

“Maybe in the past?—”

“The shit I’ve done.” He squeezes the bridge of his nose. “I can’t erase it, and she’s too good for me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Vander Zee would bury me.”

I glance over at the Terror’s head coach, sitting at a table, watching his daughter having a good time while wearing a serious expression. He’s an intense guy at the best of times.

“Promise you won’t let me make that mistake, Dred.”

I sigh.What am I supposed to say?“I won’t let you make a mistake.”

CHAPTER 25

CONNOR

“That conversation looked serious,” I murmur once Mildred is back at my side.

“His eyes are finally opening,” she replies.

“You told him why you married me?”

Dred side-eyes me. “No.”

“Then wh—” I glance over at Tally and Fee, whose heads are together. “The coach’s daughter has a crush.”

She hums. “Speaking of crushes, and getting over them, Callie seems to be smitten.”

The music has changed to something more upbeat, but Kodiak is wrapped around Lavender like it’s a slow song. In front of them, Tally, Fee, and Callie have started dancing with Everly and Victor. Callie looks up at Victor with stars in her eyes. And every so often, Tally’s gaze moves across the room to where Flip is standing with Tristan and a few of our teammates, talking.

Meems approaches, arm laced with Isabelle’s.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Everything is wonderful.” Meems takes one of our hands in each of hers. “You two are beautiful together. I’m so thrilled I could be here to celebrate this day.”

“Us too, Meems.” I fold her into a gentle hug, and Mildreddoes the same.

She whispers something to Meems that makes her laugh.

“I’m going to walk Meems out to the car,” Isabelle says.

“I can do that,” I reply.

“I can come, too,” Mildred offers.

“No, you join your friends on the dance floor.” I tip my chin toward the Terror women. “You too, Izzy.”

“Feel free to join us when you get back.” Mildred kisses the edge of my jaw, links arms with Izzy, and shimmies over to her friends.

I walk Meems out of the reception, and we take the elevator to the lobby.

“Those twins from the library absolutely adore Dred,” she notes.

“They do,” I agree.