“I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.You two really are perfect for each other.You really have been drawn to each other since you met, haven’t you?”
“Duh,” Covey scoffs.
“Yeah, I thought he was pretty cute.Especially when he’s twerking on the field.”
“You like it when I twerk?”A big smile spreads across his lips as he stares down at me.
“I love it.I love your playful side.You always make me laugh and smile, even when my world is falling apart.”
“I’ll never let your world fall apart.I’ll help keep it all together.It’s us against the world.”
Chapter 30
Covey
A Few Months Later
Ithoughtwe’dhaveto go to court and have a long drawn-out case with Josh.He tried to ruin my reputation, but it didn’t work out in his favor.I quickly threatened to sue him for slander and he backed down.I was shocked when the lawyer called us two weeks after I went back to work.He said Josh pled guilty to sexual assault and attempted rape.I didn’t know what to think or say.I really thought he’d draw this out as long as possible and keep claiming innocence.
Cici’s been doing slightly better since we got the call.I think knowing Josh is in prison and will remain there for quite a while is helping her feel more comfortable again.Today is her first day back to the work building.Somehow Parker, Luke, and Owen convinced her to work from home for an entire month.I really don’t know how they did it.
Every morning, I drop her off at work before I head to the stadium.I know she’ll be safe with Parker and Luke around.Parker told me she’ll be working in his office.He had another desk moved in there and he doesn’t plan on her returning to her office until there’s zero hesitation on her part.He says if he has to share an office for the rest of his career, he’ll be ok with that.
I think Parker and Luke feel slightly to blame for everything that happened with Josh.They hired him to work at Scott, Powell, and Coleman.They thought they were handling the issue, but in the end, they failed to keep Josh away from Cici.
“Hey, man, I hear the house is finally finished.”Wyatt grins as he sits up on the weight bench.
“I haven’t seen it yet, but that’s what your dad said.I can’t wait.Once we get engaged, we’ll be moving in there and selling Cici’s house.”
“I call dibs!”Jackson McLaren’s hand shoots into the air as he glances around for Holden.The two of them have been arguing over who gets the next house that goes up for sale in our development.
We don’t live in a massive development and every property is a few acres.The majority of the houses are owned by Pit Bull players or Python players.It’s pretty nice living around mostly professional athletes.
Since Mason’s security company manages the gate, they know both teams’ schedules and make sure to check in on the empty houses a little bit more than they regularly check the homes.It’s great and we pay them well to do it.I love having peace of mind when I'm out of town for a longer stretch of time and not having to worry about some crazy fan breaking into my house.
“You can’t call dibs!It’s whoever puts in the better bid!”Holden scowls at Jackson.The two of them think they have a say.I would die laughing if Cici sold her house to some random person or someone from the Pythons.Anything so Holden and Jackson can’t have it.
“How long did it take for them to finish the house?”Cord asks.
“So long,” Wyatt chuckles.
“Hey, I didn’t complain one time.”I hold up a hand, making sure he knows I appreciate what his dad and Charlie’s did for me.“I’ll never be able to thank Blake and Wes enough for all of the work they did… and then did more.”I chuckle.
“It was smarter to get it all gutted while you weren’t living there.”Cord shrugs.“Especially if you plan on having your future family live there.It’s so much easier to renovate when you’re not actually in that house yet.”
“And when will you have a family?”Wyatt smirks.
“Owen made me promise I wouldn’t propose until we’ve been dating for six months.”
“Owen said at least six months.It’s ok if you wait longer,” Owen calls from his office.
“Nah, I think I'm ok!”I call back.“I’d be cool with moving up that timeline.”
“Nah, I think I'm ok,” he repeats my words, making me chuckle under my breath.
“Man, I couldn’t imagine having Owen as my father-in-law,” Schmidt whispers.
“Really?I think it will be amazing.”I shrug.Owen doesn’t bother me one bit.Sure, he oversteps… a lot, but it’s only because he cares.He wants to be included in everything and I'm ok with that.
