Page 128 of What If I Knew You

He stares me down as if he thinks I’ll step aside for him, but I merely chuckle in his face.

“If you want to hit me, Coach, hit me. But if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll fight for Corrigan’s honor. I’d fight for her every fucking day even if it means putting my own career at risk because I love her too. And I’ll be damned if you’re going to keep me from loving her the way she fucking deserves.”

He opens his mouth to speak but Corrigan shakes her head. “Not another word, Dad. You’re done here.” She gestures to the ballroom doors on the left-hand side of the room. “Get your shit and get out.”

“Corri,I didn’t mean?—”

“Get. Out,” she says, her face emotionless. “Or I’ll have security remove you.”

The moment he walks away I turn to Corrigan who is now shaking, tears falling down her cheeks. I cup her face in my hands and smooth away her tears with my thumbs. “Shit, Corri, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. Are you alright? Did he hurt you when he grabbed me?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine. I’ve just…that was…” Her hands reach for my face and her brows raise as her glistening eyes meet mine. “Oh, God. Wait, areyoualright?”

“Babe, I’m fine.” I pull her face to mine and kiss her lips, her tear-stricken cheeks, and then her forehead before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a hug. “I’m just sorry that happened. I never intended for him to?—”

“No, no, it’s okay.” She shakes her head, sniffling. “I mean I knew he might be upset but I never thought he would act like…” She steps back, squeezing her eyes closed, frustrated as she desperately wipes at her tears. “God, I’m so sorry, Bodhi. I’ve made this all a terrible mess for you.”

“Hey.” I hold her face and lean down until she opens her eyes and meets my gaze again. “I can handle myself, okay? I’m a big boy and I’m just as much a part of this as you are. I love you,Corrigan. And nothing your father says to me is going to change that. I can handle whatever he throws at me.”

“But your career…”

“He can’t do anything to me for loving his daughter. You’re not part of the contract.”

She sniffles again. “You really love me?”

Her question melts away any residual anger toward Coach Hicks and loosens the tightness in my chest. My shoulders fall and my lips turn up into a sincere smile as I nod. “Corrigan, I’m so in love with you I don’t know what to do with myself most of the time.”

Her glassy blue eyes stare back at me. “Really?”

“Really. I love everything about you.” I smooth a few loose tendrils of her hair back from her face. “I love you for your sense of humor. I love the way you take such care of your patients. I love that you’re compassionate and helpful. I love that you allow me to be vulnerable around you but then you let me take over and be my possessive self when we’re together. I love that you make me feel so many emotions all at once. I love that you’re the one who showed me how passionate and sensual and emotional and carnal and fun sex can be with the right partner. I love that I can lose track of time so easily with you. And I love that I feel amazing around you whether we’re cuddled up on the couch watching shows about people walking through stones or ones where sons kill their fathers while he’s taking a shit. I love hanging curtains with you.”

That makes her smile and laugh a little.

Her smile is my favorite thing.

“I love you so damn much, Corrigan. I’d do anything for you.”

“I love you too,” she says, the gentle touch of her hands on my chest bringing me a sense of strength, but at the same time peace and calm.

“Oh, my God, Corrigan. Are you alright?” We turn to see Layken hurrying toward us. Seeing Corrigan’s tears, her eyes widen as she asks, “What the hell happened?”

“I’m so sorry Lake,” Corrigan cries a little more. “My father found us and he attacked Bodhi and I tried not to make a scene and I’m so fucking sorry but I told him he had to get the hell out and?—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” she says, throwing her arms around Corrigan’s neck and pulling her in for a hug. “He’s gone, okay? I watched him leave myself and he looked pretty sick and somehow I just knew something was wrong when I couldn’t find the two of you anywhere.” I watch Layken’s eyes close and hear her whisper, “Just breathe with me for a second, okay? He’s gone. He left.”

Having a front row seat to witness the love between Corrigan and Layken, I smile appreciating the bond these two ladies have with each other. There’s nothing in the world like a best friend and they’re both lucky to have one. Layken opens her eyes and raises her brows, giving me a glance as if to silently ask“Are you okay?”

I nod and she blinks slowly back at me, squeezing her best friend a little tighter. When she pulls away from Corrigan she brings her hands to Corrigan’s shoulder and says, “You know I think you may have found yourself a Mister Perfect.”

Corrigan smiles and lets out a little laugh. “I think you may be right.”

Damn right she is.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

BODHI

“To Bodhi.” Dex lifts his beer as we’re situated around a few tables in the back of Jay’s Bar following tonight’s event. Thank God Oliver Magallan has it in good with the owners here. They never turn us away when we need a back room to hang out in while having a few beers. Even tonight when we have two teams squeezed into the space. “For living to tell the tale about almost dying at the hands of his coach.”

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