Page 26

Tate

“ W e sold out again!” Eve beams.

“Of course. Everyone wants to see the Reapers destroy the Cream Puffs.”

“I need to place another order for the shirts with the Grim Reaper holding the platter of cream puffs. I thought the idea was cute, sort of campy, but I had no idea it would take off in a matter of days.”

“I did.” I smile at her. With my hands on her hips, I take a long look into the azure eyes that have become my grounding spot. My home. I need a dose of both right about now. “Everything you’ve done here has turned to gold.”

“Let’s not get carried away. Are you nervous?” She tilts her head and strokes the side of my face.

God, I’m so lucky to have her in my life.

“What’s there to be nervous about? The fact that this is only our second season up and running and that tonight, we’re going to play against a professional team? Who would be nervous about that? ”

I try to make light of it, but I want to find a corner and throw my guts up. Funny, I never felt so nervous as a player, but now, managing a team that’s meant to be fun, I have a hard time keeping cool.

“You said yourself, these guys were mad talented. Much more than you ever thought. You’ll see, they’ll be fine. Besides, rumor has it one of our players has an uncle who was this big deal overseas, and everyone who’s anyone in the sport knows who he is.”

“But I’m not the one playing tonight. That part of my life is over. Now I want to do right by you, by Teddy, and by the locker room of guys that play for us.”

“People say Teddy has your demeanor on the field.”

I nod. It’s true, Teddy’s growth as a player has been exponential now that I work with him full-time. I haven’t told him or Eve, but scouts are coming to tonight’s game. If my nephew performs the way I know he’s capable of, he’s going to have a lot of offers.

“Good luck,” she leans in to give me a quick peck on the lips. “Not that you need it.” If she only knew how much I do. I grab her arm and hold her close for an extra few seconds.

“I love you, Evelyn Robbins.”

“I love you too, now get out of your head and go kick some ass!”

“WHO KNEW BLACK SCRUM caps that hide half their face would make professionals nervous. ”

“Thank you, Mr. Doubting Thomas.” Eve sits up tall and proud in her chair and sips her champagne.

We’re alone in Eve’s VIP suite. For the games, she’s on the sidelines and working the crowds.

But on the occasions when Eve has administrative work to do but wants to watch practice, she works in here.

Lately, we’ve taken to hanging out here when everyone else is gone and having a drink or a bite to eat.

A knock at the door interrupts us. “Hey, Mom. I wanted to give you a heads-up that we’re leaving. Everything’s put away and cleaned up.”

Gemma no longer looks like everything her mother does bothers her. Eve claims they are closer than ever. From the interactions I see, they appear to be.

“Tell Teddy he did a great job. I’ve never seen him take charge the way he did tonight.” Eve says before waving goodbye to her daughter. “It was fun to watch.”

“I will.”

Eve waits for the door to close before speaking. “You made a statement tonight. While we may be an exhibition team, you showed our boys are just as skilled and talented as the pros.”

I shrug, my eyes dropping from hers for the moment. “We still lost.”

“By five points. That’s amazing!” Her excitement lights a fire in me.

“I hate losing.” I offer a rueful smile. “But as long as I keep the boss happy, it’s all good.”

“I’m happy. And as much as you like to pretend otherwise, I think you are too. ”

“Honestly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been before.” I reach across the table for her hand and entwine our fingers.

“Happier than when you were playing?”

I nod, allowing myself to fall into her blue eyes. “I’m not going to lie. If you’d told me at the start that there would be so much hype for the Reapers and that we would sell out two weeks straight our second season into this, I would’ve thought you were crazy.”

“And yet, you agreed to help me.”

I nod. “I did. I realized I lived my big dream. It was great, but it ended. You didn’t have that same opportunity, and when I understood this was about you and not me, I was able to put my pride aside and follow orders.”

She wipes away tears with her fingertips. I get to my feet and extend my hand to help her up. Standing her in front of me, I wrap my arms around her waist and sway to soundless music.

“I don’t want you to cry,” I whisper, nuzzling her neck.

“They’re happy tears.” She giggles. “I can’t believe this is my life.

In a few short years, so much has changed.

Everything is so different.” I hold her close as she sways along with me, not bothering to mention that there’s no music playing.

That explains us as a couple. When one of us takes the lead, the other is happy to go along.

“Eve,” I whisper, centimeters away. “Spend your life with me.” She sniffles and nods. I’m not entirely sure she knows what I’m asking. I stop swaying and stand still. “Eve, I want you to be my wife. ”

“Yes.” She sobs, tears filling her eyes. I see the world differently when I look into them, like I’m looking through a kaleidoscope.

I reach into my pants pocket, take out the ring I’ve been carrying for the last three months, and slip it on her finger. It’s a perfect fit. Just like us.

A memory flashes in my mind. A long time ago, when we didn’t even like each other, I lied to a young waitress and said Eve was my fiancée. Maybe it was a wish I didn’t know I wanted. Or maybe I knew then that she was the perfect woman for me.