Page 144 of Love Me Dangerous

“Looks like a twisted ankle,” Hutch says.

I catch Henry’s eye. He winks, and I huff a breath to calm my nerves. Because the head coach has just pulled William into his huddle with the offense.

“He’s going to play!” Sofie says, her eyes wild with excitement.

The ref’s whistle blows, and the players run to their places. William lines up behind his center, looking so confident and strong that tears prick my eyes.

Fuck. Yes. Here we are watching his dream come true.

Pride and love flood through me but I don’t try to hold it in. Sofie reaches for my hand and I squeeze it tight. Her eyes glisten, and I bring her fingers to my lips in gratitude.

William crouches down and calls the play. He races back, his gaze locked down the field. And then he arches back and fires. The ball arcs high through the air, soaring.

The crowd jumps up, everyone on their feet, going crazy. At the end of the field, a Falcons receiver is racing for the ball, arms reaching. He’s deep. How the fuck did William get the ball that far so fast? A defensive back is racing for our receiver. William’s pass arcs down, down.

The receiver snags it, then quickly darts from the defensive opponent and sprints down the field, legs pumping, the ball tucked against him, all the way to the end zone.

Screaming and cheers fill the stands. I grab Sofie and hug her tight as the band plays a raucous version of their fight song, the horn section jamming to the beat.

“He did it!” Sofie cries into my chest as I rock her back and forth.

On the field, William’s teammates are crowding around him, knocking helmets and psyching each other up. They clear the field for the kicking team, exchanging low fives and back slaps as they trade places. Just as William gets inside the line, he glances up. The world around me quiets as I tap my fist to my chest and smile.

He presses his fist to his heart and gives me a nod. Then he turns away, pulled back into watching the game with his teammates.

“It’s going to be an amazing four years!” Henry calls out over the cheers erupting from the stands when our kicker sends the ballthrough the posts.

I jump to my feet again to clap along with the crowd singing the Falcon’s school song at full volume. I take in the players on the field, my friends and family here to celebrate this achievement, and think of everything we’ve overcome together to make this night happen. And then I glance at Sofie—of course, singing the words to this crazy song—and my heart feels ready to burst. I sling my arm over her shoulder and kiss her temple.

“It’s going to be an amazing life.”

Wanta peek of Zach and Sofie on the night they buy their first home and move in together? Grab this exclusive extra scene here.

Readyfor more Finn River stories? Read on for a taste of Kirilee and Sawyer’s opposites attract romance, Love Me Reckless, or read it free in Kindle Unlimited.

Love Me Reckless

Sawyer

I’ve never believedin love at first sight. It’s a fairy tale. Cute, kind of. But fucked up.

Mutual attraction, sure. Call it biology.

That’s not the same thing as love. Not by a long shot. Love isn’t something that sprouts overnight, like a weed. It takes time and careful tending. It takes attention.

Not that I’d know much about that.

The girl from across the room laughs at something her friend says, covering her mouth with her fingertips. She glances my way, as if she’s sensed me watching. I expect her to look away, or scowl—I’m an outsider, after all. Instead, her smile warms.

At my best friend Zach’s swearing in ceremony earlier, I saw her with a tall guy in a pale suit, but she’s been with friends since we arrived at the restaurant.

The bartender sets two icy lemonades on the bar, snapping me back to the room. I carry the drinks to the back deck where the party’s in full swing. Zach is standing at the railing, watching his brother William throw the football to one of his teammates out in the grass. I hand Zach a lemonade and we clink rims.

“Is he nervous about tomorrow?” I nod at William who at that moment fires off a perfect pass.

Zach sets his lemonade on the railing. “I think so, but he’s not sharing much.”

“Keeping it close to his vest, huh.”

---