There was no stopping my grin as I crawled on top of her, wrapped her in my arms, and gazed down at the life shining back at me. I gently brushed my fingers through her hair. “I love you, Daisy Adair.”
She sent me a sweetly wicked smile. “That’s Daisy Cunningham to you.”
FORTY-EIGHT
CASH
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD
Stadium lights blindedfrom above and sweat poured down his back.
His helmet felt five thousand pounds too heavy.
A millstone around his neck.
The ball a boulder in his hand.
They were in the last minute of the game and down by three. Down by three because he keptmakinglittle mistakes that cost them.
His team raced out ahead of him.
Protecting him.
Shielding him.
Their futures bent to his will.
To this stupid fucking thing Matthew had asked of him.
His mind spun back to this afternoon. His brother had been frantic, but that was typical Matthew bullshit. Making so much more out of something than it was. Creating chaos where it didn’t belong. It had only grown a thousand times worse since his injury. Yeah, it sucked, but that didn’t absolve him of the behavior.
What an asshole.
What a selfish asshole.
Anger surged as Kyle went rushing out to where he was supposed to catch the pass.
And Cash made that split-second decision.
He threw the ball. It spiraled flawlessly through the air. Meeting its mark the way he’d nearly perfected.
Right smack into Kyle’s hands.
Kyle sprinted, and he lifted his hand with the ball over his head as he crossed the goal line.
Touchdown.
Thirty-six to thirty-three.
Everyone screamed and cheered.
The game won.
While Cash stood stagnant in the middle of the field wondering what he had done.
The team bus pulled out of the stadium grounds. His team sang and chanted. Shouted and cheered. Their celebration was already in full swing, but Cash knew it would only grow wilder tonight.
But Cash couldn’t seem to fully settle into the mood.
