Page 91 of The Underdog

“Delaney.” My voice comes out tired and weak. I can hardly think straight any longer. “What I said was true. I’m here to speak to the owner…but not because I want to talk about the team. Fuck, Delaney, I just left them all behind because the only thing I can think about is you.”

“Convenient timing.” She stares at me with her brows raised. “You can’t stop thinking about me and come running when you get the letter, is that it? Oh, and thanks for responding, by the way.”

“I was already packing my things to come see you before I knew about any of this…before I even read your letter.” I sigh softly, holding her gaze. “I was about to leave for the airport when Alf came barging at my door. I swear.”

She swallows faintly, her brows softening ever so slightly as she hugs herself. Unlike the last time we had a heart-to-heartoutside, this time, she’s not hugging herself for warmth. It’s for comfort.

“You were already coming?” Her voice is full of reluctance. “Why? Why now?”

I can’t help but reach for both of her wrists, trying to ignore the pit that rises in my stomach as I notice they’re bare, and that bracelet she once loved enough to wear every single day is nowhere to be seen.

She pulls her arms away ever so slightly, and I instinctively reach for her face instead. Her sweet face was the one I could kiss all day if she only gave me the chance.

“Delaney.” I can’t help but brush my thumb along her soft cheek before running my hand through her hair.

God, how did I fumble this so hard?

I hate myself right now.

Own up.

Tell her truth.

This is your chance, Warren.

This is yourdream.

“You have two minutes.” Her voice is a whisper, and she’s refusing to look at me anymore as she rapidly blinks away the emotion welling up in her eyes.

I’m grateful she’s given me that because all I need is three seconds to utter three simple words.

“I love you,” I admit, and as the words escape my mouth, I start to question how I had such a hard time saying them before.

Maybe, and just maybe, it’s because these words never made sense before her. Delaney is the one person who taught me what these three words mean. And now that I’m here, saying them, I’m assured that they’ve only ever been meant to leave my lips for her.

“I’m so in love with you, Delaney. Hell, I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”

Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. Those magnificent doe eyes I knew would occupy their own space in my mind from the day I met her.

Tell her, Warren.A voice haunts my thoughts.Don’t hold back.

“I loved you from the day I met you, Delaney. When you stumbled onto the field and fell to the floor, it felt like my world came crashing down with you.”

I can feel my lips turn up at the corners as I speak, and hers mirror my own, her cheeks turning that adorable rosy shade of pink.

Keep going.

“I loved you even when you thought I hated you when in reality, the only thing I hated was how badly you had your claws into me. You consumed my world. My thoughts. My space. Literally…” I shake my head with a soft grin, pushing a loose curl out of her face. “I couldn’t stand to be away from you.”

“You can’t just do this, Warren...” She closes herself off, shaking her head. She’s so quiet that I have to lean my own head down to hear her. “I don’t know what you want me to say…what do I say to all of this?”

“You say nothing, love. You let me explain. You let me tell you all of the things you deserve to hear.”

“Like what?”

“Like the real reason why I invited you to my mum’s. It wasn’t just to stop you from working.”Sure, that was partially a factor.“But it was because I wanted you close. Ineededyou close.”

She sucks in a faint breath, ready to speak, but I cut her short.

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