Page 68 of Rushing Into Love

“Run!” I shouted, pumping my fist into the dark sky.

“Go JD!” The kids cheered, jumping up and screaming.

JD ran like his life depended on it, but it didn’t much matter. The Rams were in shock and most of them just stood there, stunned. JD ran a clean pick all the way to the end zone. The scoreboard flipped to fourteen just as time ran out on the clock.

“Final score: 14-6, Lions. Good game, guys!” The ref shouted out the official score over the roaring cheers of the kids and the crowd.

I grinned at the team. “Way to go, Lions!” I patted as many of the kids on the back as I could reach, before giving Charlie a big hug.

“Okay, we have to go tell the other team ‘Good game,’” I reminded them after a few more seconds celebrating the victory.

The team dutifully lined up, shaking one another’s hands, murmuring congratulations. I shook hands, too, then chatted with the other coaches briefly before heading over to the stands.

“Great job, honey!” My mom rushed over, hugging me, while my dad patted his congratulations on my back.

“Nice work, bro!” Quinn high-fived me. “Loved the pick six at the end. Classic!”

I shrugged. “Wish I could take credit for that move, but it was all JD. He’s a talented athlete. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the NFL one day. And this guy,” I ruffled Charlie’s hair. “Amazing throw to Alex for a touchdown. Really changed the momentum of the game.”

Brooklyn and Craig enveloped Alex in a big bear hug, while Bree beamed at me, her cheeks flushed a pretty pink. I wanted to sneak off to a darkened part of the bleachers with her right then, but sighed inwardly when I remembered the winning pizza party tradition.

“Pie in the Skytime?” I turned and asked Alex and Charlie.

“Yeah!” They high-fived each other and ran to tell the rest of the team. I’d have to wait to be with Bree a little while longer. I owed twelve little Lions a pizza party right now.

17

Bree

“Do I look okay?” I twirled around in the living room, giving Brooklyn and Alex an impromptu fashion show.

“I love it, Aunt Bee!” Alex clapped her hands in delight at my very authentic, very last-minute Cleopatra costume, ordered straight off the internet less than forty hours ago. I had to admit, the ensemble turned out pretty well. The long white sleeveless tunic fit me perfectly, cinched with a gold sash. There was a matching gold collar and wrist cuffs, plus a turquoise cape. I paired the outfit with my gold gladiator sandals and completed the look with a jet-black wig, golden crown headpiece, and the requisite gold mask encrusted with turquoise jewels. The end result was pretty fabulous.

“You look great, Bree. You sure you don’t need me to drop you off? It’s no problem,” Brooklyn offered.

“No, it’s fine. Ryder said he’d pick me up around seven, after he dropped Charlie at his mom’s. Don’t wait up, either,” I said in a slightly lower voice, grinning.

Brooks raised an eyebrow at me, but nodded. “Alright, let’s get going then, Alex.” She nudged her daughter off the couch. “I’m hungry.”

After the perfunctory hugs, I was alone in the house. I tried to ignore the nerves zinging around my stomach, leaving me slightly queasy. Ryder and I were in a good place, but I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something bad was lurking around the corner. I shuddered involuntarily just as there was a knock on the door.

Crossing the room, I gazed through the peephole. A bona fide knight in shining armor stood on the front porch. Giggling, I threw open the door.

“My lady,” Ryder murmured, bowing down before me.

“Ryder, your costume is fantastic!” I kissed him hard on the lips. He leaned into the kiss, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him, into his hard, armored chest. His hands danced over the light fabric of my tunic, sending shivers down my body. A soft moan escaped my lips.

“Want to be late to the party?” Ryder whispered into my ear. “I missed you.”

I sighed and took a slight step back from temptation. “As much as I’d love to say yes, we should probably go. I’m not sure when Craig will be home from his shift at the hospital and I really don’t want my brother-in-law walking in on us.”

He chuckled, lightly squeezing my bum. “As you wish, my lady. Your chariot awaits.” Ryder swung out his arm, motioning to his SUV sitting in the driveway.

I quickly scooped up my clutch, locking the door behind me. Ryder chivalrously offered me his arm and helped me settle into the car.

“That was a great game last night.” I smiled over at him as he backed down the drive.

“Thanks,” he said, his blue eyes crinkling with pride. “The kids were great. Alex’s touchdown was phenomenal. Really changed the momentum of the whole game.”

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