Page 56 of Tangled with the Tight End

“I see.” Marco’s jaw flexes.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Eden rubs Marco’s back in slow circles.

“Yes, it is. I love football and want to get back to my team. Doc agrees that the injury was a freak accident and won’t happen again.”

“There are no guarantee,” Marco bites out.

“You’re right. There aren’t. There are no guarantees with anything, but I trust myself.”

“Fine.” Marco uncrosses his arms and flings them in the air.

“I know you’re worried about me, and I appreciate it.” I walk over to him and squeeze his shoulder.

He sighs as some of the anger disperses. “I just want you to be happy. It’s been forever since you’ve been yourself.”

“Yeah, since the day I met Sloane.”

The doorbell rings, and Gino runs at full speed, swinging it open. “Norah!”

She breezes into the suite, snatching him off the ground and giving him a loud smack on the cheek. When her eyes meet mine, my heart squeezes inside my chest. I’m in love with her. That all-encompassing love that yanks the rug out from under you and makes you do stupid shit.

“Hi.” Her smile is tentative.

Before she can come to us, I’m in front of her, and her smile widens along with the twinkle in her eyes. “Hey, babe.” I kiss her lips, savoring the softness and how she yields to me.

When I pull back, Gino’s eyes are wide. “Daddy?”

“Norah is my girlfriend. Are you okay with that?” She’s so much more than that, but first, I need to finalize my divorce from Sloane. Then all bets are off.

“Yes, she’s nice.”

“Good.” I wink at him, snatch him from her, and wrap my arm around her shoulders. After I kiss her temple, I return my attention to my brother and his wife, who are gaping at us like we’ve grown horns.

“I thought you were still in KC last night?” Marco growls.

“I lied.” I can’t keep the smirk off my lips.

Eden slaps her hands on her hips as I drop Gino to his feet. “I thought you said you weren’t going to see him again?”

“I lied.” Norah bites her lips together and giggles.

twenty-nine

NORAH

My best friendcrosses her arms over her chest and stares Gabriel down. “So, what’re your intentions with Norah? You know your brother and I would love to see the two of you together, but not if you aren’t both on the same page with…” She waves a hand in our direction as I settle into his heat and inhale his scent. Just those two things alone are enough for an endorphin head rush.

“We don’t have everything worked out yet, but we’re together.” His arm tightens around me. “As a couple.”

Eden’s eyes dart to mine. “And this is what you want?”

“I wouldn’t be with him if it wasn’t.”

He kisses the top of my head, and warmth floods through me. There was always a part of me that wanted more than a hook-up with him, but I was afraid to hope for it. I run a bistro, and he’s a football star with a soon-to-be ex-model wife. How do those things work together?

But my best friend is an elementary school teacher, and she’s married to an ex-football star, so the impossible is possible.

“And what’re you going to do?” Marco’s voice is gruff, and his stance mirrors his wife’s.

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