Page 121 of It's Always Us

His hand moves from my leg to my face. “That shit’s got to stop. You’re not only going to eat, you’ll stand down there and kiss me for good luck from now on,” he nods toward the field and presses his lips to mine.

The game goes on, and with a minute and thirty left in the fourth quarter, we know it’s over. The Kingsnakes are down by ten, and there’s no coming back.

Everyone gathers their stuff, and we slowly wind our way through the stadium to the friends and family area.

When the players start to file in, Sean sweeps Andie up, but for a man whose team just lost the Super Bowl, you’d never tell. He has the biggest smile on his face as he kisses his girl.

I nudge Mark. “They’re sweet together.”

“He is so over the moon for that woman, and she’s amazing.” He turns into me, linking his arms around my neck. “It’s a good thing we got started making babies a little early. Now that his season is over, Sean will be working in a whole other way.”

I swat him.

“What?! Look at them. Tell me I’m wrong.”

I don’t look at them, giving them the privacy they deserve, but bury my face in Mark’s chest. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I want to see him try to outdo twins.”

“Oh, for real. Will I have to hear you claim ownership of creating these miracles for the rest of my life?”

When I tip my chin up, waiting for his answer, there’s a heat in his eyes that makes my insides quiver and warm simultaneously.

“Baby, all of this is a straight up miracle.” He lays my hand flat across his heart. “But I will own making those two babies in every single way for the rest of my life.”

Awe, hell. How in the world will I ever be able to argue with that?

He brushes his lips against mine. “How about we hang out with these crazies, and then we get ready to go home?”

Home. It’s currently up in the air exactly where that will be, and the thought makes my stomach squeeze just a little.

His mouth hovers over my ear, and he starts singing again. “Til’ now, I always got by . . . ”

My head tips back with a burst of laughter. I wrap my arms around Mark’s waist and hold on tight. I know it doesn’t really matter where we are. As long as I’m with Mark, it’ll be the only placeI ever want to be.

Chapter 35

MARK

“I have a call into the Kingsnakes to gauge their interest level. With Kenny out, they’re on the hunt. I’m pursuing them until you tell me not to. Houston called, but I wanted to talk to you before I get back with them.”

I lift my shirt to wipe the sweat off my brow before it drips into my eyes. “Shit! Going to Houston would be stepping back in time, man!” I take a second, needing to cool the defeat beginning to overwhelm me. Rob has always looked out for me, and I know he’s trying his damnedest to get things moving. “What do you think?”

Rob’s long and forceful sigh has my nerves spiking higher. “I think we should have the meeting. Doesn’t hurt to talk and see what they’ve got going on.”

In that long exhale, I detect a hint of resignation, creating a giant wave of anxiety that charges straight through me. I take a seat on a bench along the wall of the gym, needing to shake it loose and calm the hell down.

It’s been over a month since the season ended, and the new season has officially begun. There’s still plenty of time, but each week that goes by is one less week before training camps, preseason, and when the babies will be born.

Lex has spent these last weeks hanging out while I get to work, but I know she’s about hit her idleness limit. She doesn’t have to say it. She’s been tugging on that earring non-stop, and I know her hands are itching to work. Hopefully, the surprise I have for her will solve that.

Waking up with her in my arms, making her breakfast while she sits on the counter, and then spending our evenings together have been the happiest times of my life. I’m not about to let her sit around, missing any part of the life she left behind if I can help it.

“Ok. I’m in Ohio next week for Lex’s doctor’s appointment, so that’s out, but let me know. We’ll hear what they have to say, but Rob, that can’t be it.”

“Mark, let’s be smart, not rash. This is only the beginning. I need you to reel in the emotions.”

“Emotions! Shit, Rob! Time is ticking like a giant ass bomb.”

---