Page 55 of Scoring Position

“We do,” she replies, her gaze sliding my way as I stand there, gaping like a fish.

He taps his knuckles on the counter. “Good to know.” My shoulders slump, although I’m not sure if it’s from relief or disappointment as he grins in my direction. “What?”

I swallow, laughing nervously. “Nothing. I thought you were going to suggest we get married.”

He leans his elbow on the counter, smirking. “Make no mistake, Sweets. This name change is very temporary. I plan on making you Mrs. Mathers the moment I know you won’t turn down my proposal.”

“Who would ever do such a thing?” Gloria pipes up, her top lip curled in confusion before looking my way. “She doesn’t look like a stupid girl. I think you should give it a try.”

“You think?” he says, never taking his eyes off mine. “It’s a risk.”

She slaps a wrinkled hand against the wood, giving a tight nod before pointing a finger his way. “Some risks are worth taking, Ace.” Reaching down, she fishes a small rubber band from a jar on her desk, sliding it toward him. I look around the room, shifting from one foot to the other as he picks it up and drops down to one knee, taking my shaky hand in his.

“Lark Whitlock, since the day you came into my life, I’ve been happier than I ever thought possible. You showed me parts of myself that I didn’t know existed, and I’m a better man because of it. I know we haven’t known each other very long, and that there’s still so much to learn, but the one thing I’m certain of is that I love you, and I can’t imagine a world where you aren’t my forever. I don’t care if we stay engaged for ten days or ten years—I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, and you’ll never go a single second without being worshiped in all the ways you deserve. Will you marry me?”

My face twists with emotion, and the hand at my side shoots to cover my mouth, tears blurring my vision until they finally spill over. Gloria and everyone in the sitting area acrossthe room wait with bated breath for my answer. Phones are recording and people are whispering excitedly as Ace looks up at me with a soft smile.

This is fucking crazy. He’s right—we haven’t known each other long. He hasn’t met my family or seen my hometown. He doesn’t know that I buy a container of spring mix every time I go to the grocery store, never open it, and throw it away only to replace it with the next one. But if I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s that those things don’t matter. You can spend years with someone, learning all their quirks and habits, only to discover after marrying them that despite your best efforts, it was never meant to last. Life is too short to waste time not doing what makes you happy. And that’s what Ace does…when I’m with him, I’m the happiest girl in the world.

I nod my head rapidly, swiping at my wet cheeks. “Yes!” I reply as he breathes a sigh of relief, slipping the rubber band onto my ring finger. He stands, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the floor as the room erupts in celebration.

Pressing his face into the soft skin at the base of my neck, he breathes me in. “Thank you,” he mumbles. “Fuck,that was scary.” I laugh in response, pulling back and kissing his lips as the whole place cheers loudly.

“It’s a good thing you said yes,” Gloria says as Ace returns me to my feet, clutching her hands in front of her chest. “Because if you hadn’t, I was planning on shooting my shot.”

I laugh, spinning toward her as she slides the name change paperwork my way, picking up a pen and signing on the dotted line. Ace’s arms snake around my waist from behind, and he drops his chin to my shoulder.

“How does it feel?” he asks.

“Like this is the beginning of a whole new chapter.”

THIRTY-FIVE

ACE

“Congratulations, lovebirds!”Jackson says, stepping into the elevator alongside Lark and me. We’re on our way up to the luxury suites for a last-minute team dinner. We didn’t win today, but it certainly softens the blow knowing I have a fiancée.

I still can’t believe she said yes. Truth be told, I’ve been toying with the idea of proposing since the minute I told her I love her.

I know what people are probably thinking. That it’s too soon. That I’m just young, dumb, and have no idea what real life is about.But they’re wrong. I was raised by a strong woman who taught me the meaning of love. When I lost her, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever feel whole again. I was too afraid to let anyone get close enough at the time, so the emptiness inside my heart was like a canyon—wide, deep, and I had no clue how I’d make it to the other side. But then Lark came along and showed me that people can be good, and that it was safe to open myself up to the possibility of having more. That’s why I took a chance and asked her to marry me today. We can wait forever if she wants to, as long as me being her husband is the endgame.

“Thank you,” she says, leaning into me and wrapping her small hands around my bicep. “I can’t believe how fast the videos from the courthouse went viral. I was all but bombarded by fans’ well wishes when I got to my seat.” I actually encouraged her to go to the WAG’s box for the game because, as much as I hoped people wouldn’t be rude to her now that the news is officially out, I wanted to protect her just in case. Thankfully, from my quick scroll through social media while waiting for my post-game interviews, I know the reactions have been pretty positive so far. There were a few nasty comments about how I’m too young for her and how we’ll never work with me having access to an endless string of women on the road, but fuck those people. They don’t know us. She’s the only one I’ll ever want.

“Let me see your ring,” he says. As soon as she raises her hand, proudly showing the miniature pink rubber band, his deadpan expression slides over to me.

I put my hands up in surrender. “It was a game-time decision. I’m taking her to the jeweler tomorrow. She’s getting whatever she wants.”

He eyes me suspiciously. “You better treat my girl right, or I’ll steal her right out from under you.” Pinching Lark’s cheek, he winks. “Don’t worry, Snookums. I’ll take care of you.”

“Get your own,” I pout, pulling her into me as they both laugh. I never thought I’d be a possessive boyfriend—or fiancé—but the thought of anyone touching her makes me irrationally angry. I know Jacks is only messing with me, but it still makes my blood heat in my veins.

The doors slide open, and we exit the elevator, walking across the lush, carpeted area that leads to the stadium’s most high-end suites. With my fingers wrapped around hers, Lark pulls me toward the door, giving Jackson a look that says they know something that I don't. I eye them suspiciously but don't have time to ask questions as she grips the handle and pushes herway inside. At first, my brain short circuits. I've been in these suites before, but they certainly didn't look like this. A long red carpet sits under our feet, leading off to the side where a small platform is set up. A podium with a microphone stands in the middle, and a big sign that saysCongratulations, Ace!hangs on a teal sequined backdrop behind it. My teammates and other Fury employees are scattered around the room, clapping loudly as soon as they notice my presence.

“What’s going on?” I ask Lark quietly.

“Well, I told Monroe that you were refusing to go to your graduation ceremony, and she hooked me up with Taylor from PR so we could bring graduation to you.” She smiles softly. “You worked so hard, and we're all so proud. We just wanted to give you the celebration you deserve.”

“Wow,” I say, fighting the tears that sting the backs of my eyes. I don't regret my decision to not walk across the stage at the university in the slightest. After everything Dean Dawson put Lark through, there was no way I was going to bring her anywhere near that place. And doing it without her by my side wasn’t an option. She’s my family.This teamis my family. “This is so much better.”

---