Page 133 of The Wildest One

“Fair enough,” she said softly.

Smiling for my girl, I asked, “Does that mean we have your blessing?”

“My what?”

I held the top of my hat and said, “I never wanted you to find out this way. I wanted to be the one to tell you. And I realize things have already moved forward, and we went about this in an untraditional way, but I would still like to have your blessing to be with your daughter.” I glanced at Jolie. “For one, because it means you trust me with her. And two”—I shifted my gaze at him—“because you’re my boss.”

His head slowly shook for the second time during this chat. “This isn’t easy for me, Beck.”

“One day, I’m going to have a daughter—I hope—and I’m going to be in the same position. Well, maybe not the exact same, but you know what I mean.”

“I do.”

“You have my word, I will not hurt her, and I wouldn’t be sitting here, saying any of this, if I didn’t see my future with her.” I reached for Jolie’s hand.

He pointed at me. “If that future involves a ring, your ass had better be right back in this chair, asking for a whole different type of blessing.”

I smiled. “Understood.”

“Good.” He tapped his desk. “Now that you both have gotten what you want today, you can let yourselves out. I need to get some work done.” His tone was gentle even if his words weren’t.

I waited for Jolie to get up first, and I followed her into the hallway, shutting her father’s door behind me. I immediately pulled her into my arms, holding her against me. My mouth pressed into her hair, and I breathed her in. “I’m so fucking happy that’s behind us.”

“You have no idea,” she sighed. “I cannot believe you came into Dad’s office. That you had my back like that. That you tried to take the blame.” She looked up at me. “You were there for me in ways I hadn’t expected.”

“I will always have your back in every way.”

I finally got a smile out of her. “You told my father you’re in love with me.”

“So did you.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Say it to me.”

“I love you, Jolie.” I grinned, stabbing my bottom lip with my teeth. “And that’s just what I’m going to tell the guys today at practice—before threatening their lives if they ever utter another word about you.”

Her eyes went wide. “You’re telling them today?”

I chuckled. “That’s not the important part.”

“What is?”

“You saying you love me back.”

She slid her fingers through my hair. “I’m completely, fully, and wildly in love with you.”

“Sit down,” I said to the team once everyone finally returned to the locker room after practice.

“Ohhh, the captain has something to say. Listen up, you guys!” Kirk shouted. When the room turned silent, he added, “Whatcha got for us?”

I tossed my gloves and crossed my sweaty arms over my chest. “There will be no more comments from any of you about Jolene Jameson. Not even a fucking hint of a comment. That also includes looking at her for longer than a few seconds. Smiling too fucking large at her. Or getting close enough to her that you get even the faintest hint of her perfume.” I paused. “Have I made myself clear?”

“Someone’s in love.” One of the guys snickered.

I didn’t correct him.

Because he was right.

And everyone in this room knew it.