Page 54 of Scoring Position

“Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” I ask, and I can tell immediately that something is bothering her. She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly before settling her eyes on mine.

“Actually, yeah.” Her expression is full of worry, and without even knowing what she's going to say, I want to fix it. Her shoulders are hunched forward, and her hands are wrung together in her lap as she stares down at them like they have all the answers to her questions.

“Baby, talk to me,” I say softly, lifting her chin with my pointer finger. “What’s going on?”

She sighs, dragging a hand through her blonde waves. “I really wanted you to be able to come home and get settled in before I told you everything, but since you're asking, we may as well just get it over with.

“Hailey called me from work the other day. She wanted to give me a heads-up because she heard Dean Dawson talking about her plan to open an investigation on you for cheating. I knew this was all part of her vendetta against me, since there's no way they could prove that you did something you didn't do. Even if they wanted to compare my work in the class to yours, they would see how different it all was. There were absolutely zero red flags, other than my involvement in tutoring you, that would make them think you didn't do the work on your own.”My blood begins to boil inside my veins, rage bubbling up to the surface as I try to remain calm so she can continue.

“At first, I told myself I would wait until you got back so we could make a plan together. Even though I knew the investigation would prove that you did the work yourself, I was worried that word might get out and it would ruin your image. So, I decided to go to the university myself, and I confronted her.”

“Lark, you shouldn’t have done that,” I say firmly. “That woman has been nothing but a cause of stress for you. The last thing you need is to open yourself up to more of that because of me. I don't give a fuck what she thinks. She can investigate and tell the media whatever she wants. At the end of the day, we know we did everything right and never had to compromise our morals in the process. If she wants to sink to that level because she's mad that you're carrying on her last name, let her. Karma always has a way of finding people like that.”

She shakes her head, her brows pulling tight with worry. “We don't know who she knows or what she's truly willing to do. What if she figures out a way to make it look like you cheated? Your reputation would be ruined—maybe even your career. I couldn't let that happen without doing everything in my power to stop it.” She looks up at me. “I told her I'd go back to using my maiden name. I just want her to leave you out of it.”

My eyes go wide. “Baby, no. You’re not doing that. You've been fighting against that tyrant for so long. I'm not going to let you give in to her because of me.”

Her expression softens as she takes my hand, linking our fingers together. “I’m notgiving in, Ace. I’msetting myself free. All this time, I just wanted to give her a bigfuck youfor never hearing me when I spoke. I thought having this kind of control over something she wanted would make me feel fulfilled. But the truth is, it didn’t. It just kept me connected to the peoplewho caused me so much pain. In order to really move on and be happy, I know I need to let go of that chapter of my story so I can start a new one with you.”

I lean forward, pressing my mouth to hers in a soft kiss. Any protests I had about her decision died on my lips the moment she mentioned our future, and I’m glad she feels secure enough in what we have to let go of the things that no longer serve her. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to fill her life with all the love and happiness she needs. She’ll never feel like her voice isn’t heard, because it’s the only one that truly matters to me.

“I love you,” I say.

“I love you too. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” She sits up, straddling my lap and pressing into me like she can’t get close enough before kissing me passionately. I reach around, splaying my large hand across her lower back and pulling her even tighter to me, because there’s absolutely nothing I want more than to be connected to her in any way I can. We make out, breathing each other in as we revel in another monumental moment that I doubt either of us will forget as long as we live.

I couldn’t be prouder to call this smart, strong, resilient woman mine, and I’m excited to hold her hand wherever life brings us.

Realization dawns on me, and I pull away, my eyes going wide. “What?” she says, a blanket of worry slipping over her lust-filled gaze. She’s breathing heavily, her swollen lips parted as she waits for me to speak.

“Is it bad that I don’t know my girlfriend’s last name?” I ask, trying to look concerned as she reaches out and slaps my shoulder playfully.

“It’s Whitlock,” she replies, rolling her gorgeous blue eyes.

“Whitlock,” I echo with a shrug. “It’ll do…for now.”

THIRTY-FOUR

LARK

“Areyou sure you want to do this?” Ace asks as we walk into the courthouse with my hand encased in his.

“Yes,” I reply, rolling my eyes as I yank him through the corridor. “Now let’s go before you’re late for warm-ups.” He insisted on coming with me to file for my name change, even though I told him I’d see him at the stadium. He claimed that he wanted to offer moral support in case I needed it, but I honestly feel like the weight of the world is about to be lifted off my shoulders as soon as I sign my name on the dotted line. I’m ready to put the past behind me and head into the new and exciting future I’m building with Ace.

“Can I help you?” an older woman asks from her seat behind a high, dark wood counter. She takes a look at my boyfriend, smiling brightly as he waves. “Oh, my goodness!” she says on a gasp, primping her gray, shoulder-length hair. "I'm your biggest fan! My name is Gloria!” She stands, extending her hand for him to take, lingering a little longer than normal for this type of greeting. I hold in my laugh, watching as he graciously lets her move his arm up and down for about thirty seconds, never breaking eye contact as she smiles at him with stars in her eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he replies with a charming wink as she all but floats back into her seat. “My girlfriend is looking to change her last name, and I was hoping to make it a speedy process since I have somewhere very important to be this afternoon.”

“Of course!” she says, looking over to me. “Depending on the reasoning for the change and what paperwork you have, we can get things done pretty quickly.”

I lay my folder down in front of me, flipping it open. “I was recently divorced and would like to go back to using my maiden name. I have my divorce decree with the name change provision, proof of address, my Social Security card and driver’s license.” I pull the documents out and hand them to her.

She takes them, double-checking each item. “It looks like you’re all set to get everything done today. I’ll just need to enter some info into my system, make copies of these papers, and then you’ll be good to go. You’ll have to swing by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security office to get those changes made, but otherwise, you’ll no longer be known as Lark Dawson in the eyes of the state of Florida.”

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly in relief. I was worried this might be a long process, but I guess agreeing to the name change provision was a good choice on my part. I initially fought it in court but eventually gave in because I never had the intention of needing or using it.

“Hey, Gloria,” Ace cuts in as she types away at her computer. She stops, giving him her full attention. “Do you guys do marriage licenses here?”

I whip my head in his direction, eyes wide with surprise, but he ignores it as he looks down at her. He can’t be fucking serious.

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