Levi drags Amelie onto his lap. Her leg bounces up and down. I feel her—this mix of nerves and excitement is overpowering.
The other team scores a touchdown, making the score tighter. My nerves threaten to snap my composure. I am experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions that’s nauseating.
Ian has the ball, and I swear everyone holds their breath as he throws it so far, I follow it with my heart galloping in my throat as he scores a touchdown.
I sweat a bucket by the time the fourth quarter approaches its end.
Roman secures the last touchdown.
The winning one.
I jump so high, squeal so loud, I cry, emotions getting the best of me.
Madness erupts on the field as Ian’s teammates lift him in the air. But the moment they put him down, his eyes find me with clear intent, shaking me up from my trancelike state.
I dash out of the suite, running down the stairs, passing people in a haze.
The stadium opens, but I come to an abrupt stop, needing a moment to realize it’s real. No more hiding. My life will change. For good. For the better.
Ian waits on the field, his eyes fixed on me. Those midnight blues bore into the deepest corners of my heart. He crooks a finger at me, and I take off, sprinting to him. He does the same, catching me as I jump into his arms.
Our mouths clash in a passionate kiss. The world around us vanishes, everything becoming silent except for the roar of our hearts, singing in unison.
He holds me pressed to his chest, kissing me again and again.
I cup his face. “You were great. I’m so proud of you. I love you so, so much.”
He buries his face in the crook of my neck. “You’re my life. You’re my greatest win.”
His words settle on my heart, blanketing me in warmth.
I see from my peripheral cameras set on us, taking pics.
“It’s out now.” I giggle, feeling elated and relieved, but most of all, high on love and delight.
A breath of relief tumbles out of his mouth. “Yeah, it is.”
His family reaches us, and everyone hugs him, tears welling up in their eyes. But he never lets go of my hand, not even when my dad arrives. I hug him, congratulating him as well.
My father takes my boyfriend with him.
“I’ll be back to you as soon as possible,” Ian mouths, walking backward, still not cutting the visual contact.
His eyes are glassy with emotions that trigger my tears.
After meeting with the press and getting cleaned up he returns to my side. His love for me shines so brightly that it feels like it could never be extinguished.
Placing a hand on my back, he urges me into the car. “Let’s go.”
The moment the hotel room door closes behind us, he backs me against the wall, his midnight eyes turning darker, they appear almost black.
Taking a step back, he trails his gaze down my jersey.
“Finally,” he says hoarsely.
He pulls it over my head so tantalizingly slow, making me all hot.
I wiggle out of it, remaining in just my bra. Any moment now, he’ll see my surprise. I want to be more than his big win; I want to be his ultimate gift.
