Page 56 of Scoring Position

She looks up at me, biting her lip nervously. “You're not mad? I know you try to be private about things, but I just hated the thought of you missing out on the experience.”

“No,” I reply, pulling her into me and kissing the top of her head. “I’m not mad at all. I love it.”

Huffing a sigh of relief, her shoulders relax as she laughs and steps away from me. “Okay, good. Keep that energy.” My face twists with confusion, and she gives me a look of pure guilt as Friggle traipses out of the shadows with something black draped across his long, purple arm. He walks toward me, placing a graduation cap on my head before rounding my back and throwing a matching gown over my shoulders. I look at myfiancée, who covers her mouth with her hand, giggling as the whole room begins to chant for me to put it on. Choking out a laugh, I oblige, sliding my arms through the wide sleeves. Once it’s on, I give a spin, showing off as they erupt in cheers and whistles.

“Pomp and Circumstance” plays softly through the speakers, and I look to the platform, where Taylor motions for me to come up. Taking one last look at the face of the beautiful woman who made all of this possible, I head toward the stage. My long legs eat up the red velvet carpet under my feet, but I move slowly as I try to take in this moment that I worked so hard for.

If you had told me at the beginning of the semester that I would forego the university’s graduation ceremony, I wouldn't have believed you. My grandmother's dream was to watch me walk across the stage for my diploma, and that was my only goal. But now that I'm here, I realize the location of the stage doesn't matter. What’s important is being surrounded by the people who love you most during the big moments in life. And while there’s a huge missing piece here today, I know she's looking down on me with so much pride. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Taylor says some kind words, commending me on my dedication to both school and my job. Friggle makes a reappearance, presenting me with a diploma that I’m guessing he made himself, since it looks like an elementary school art project. I take it from his hand, watching as purple glitter falls all over the floor at our feet, doing my best to keep it in one piece. As ridiculous as it is, this means more to me than any stupid piece of paper I could have gotten from the university, which not only dismissed my future wife and her dreams but considered taking me down as well.

Taylor leans back into the microphone. “Congratulations to this year’s Daytona Fury graduating class. Ace, please move the tassel on your cap from right to left.”

Reaching up, I pinch the fringes between my fingers, switching sides as the air around me fills with loud cheers and hollers. Monroe whoops loudly before tucking her tongue over her teeth and whistling as Riggs bounces on his toes at her side.

“Fuck yeah, baby!” Jacks yells, pointing my way as a smirk tugs at the corner of Hawk’s mouth beside him. Dante, Tyler and all the others clap, the room bursting with so much joy that it makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

My eyes slide over, and my gaze locks onto the corner where Lark stands, clutching her hands in front of her. I know we have a long, crazy future ahead of us—one I’m sure will be full of ups and downs—but I’ll never stop striving to be the best partner I can be for her. I want her to be proud to say she’s mine.

As I exit the stage, walking toward her, I'm stopped by the team's owner, Mr. Durst. “Congratulations, Ace,” he says, extending a hand for me to shake. “I didn't mean to pry, but when this event was brought up to me, it made me wonder why you were choosing not to participate in the graduation ceremony at the university. Taylor and Monroe filled me in on the details, and I just want to let you know that when someone comes for one of my players, they come for me, too. I've known Dean Dawson for a long time, and to be frank with you, I've never liked the woman. My wife is a Sun State alumna, and I've put a lot of time and money into helping the school grow. Rest assured that I’ll be making some calls regarding Gail’s treatment of Lark and yourself. It’s not right, and I won’t stand for it. Congratulations again on such a huge accomplishment.” He beams. “I’m grateful to have such a hard worker as a part of the Fury family.”

I swallow, nodding. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

He pats my shoulder, giving me a genuine smile before walking away. As soon as he’s gone, Lark steps into my body, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Hey there, Mr. Sexy Graduate. Nice diploma.” I lift it up, more excess glitter fallingonto our clothes and shoes as we laugh at the absurdity. “Come on,” she says, lifting her chin to the table where the guys and Monroe sit. “Let’s go eat.”

I usher her over, pulling out a chair and taking the seat next to hers once she’s settled. Servers come around, setting plates on the fancy gold chargers in front of us. The whole event is so over the top, but it makes me feel good to know I was worth all the time and effort everyone put into making it special. I’ll never forget this night—that’s for sure.

“Fuck,” Jackson whispers, holding his phone in front of his face as his forehead wrinkles with what looks like a mixture of confusion and worry.

“You okay, dude?” Riggs asks.

He shakes his head rapidly, snapping his attention back to us as he clears his throat. “Yeah. I just got a text from my mom. My stepsister got drafted by a new professional volleyball team here in Florida, and apparently, she’ll be staying with us while she settles in. We talked about it briefly last week, but I didn't think anything would come of it.”

Hawk’s expression morphs into something I’ve definitely never seen before as his stare goes wide, and he sucks in a quiet gasp. “Arden’s coming?” he asks, his eyes dancing with what I can’t help but recognize as excitement.

What the fuck?

“Yeah,” Jackson responds to his best friend and roommate. “I hope that’s okay. I really thought her team would put her up somewhere, but I guess not. I’m sure she won’t need to stay long.”

Hawk shakes his head. “No, it’s okay. No big deal.”

I catch Lark out of the corner of my eye, and I can tell she has the same questions as I do—but I guess we’ll find out soon. I have a feeling sparks are going to fly.

We finish our food, talking and laughing with the team until people start funneling out, and it's time to go home. It's been an amazing night, and I'm grateful that I got to spend it here at the stadium, surrounded by so much love and support.

“I have one more surprise for you when we get back to your place,” Lark says quietly as I lead her to the elevator.

“Oh yeah?” I reply. “What is it?”

She taps her bottom lip, pretending to decide if she wants to let me in on what she has planned. I tickle her sides, and she barks out a laugh, finally relenting as she steps away from the assault. “I owe you one more wholesome night of fun since you left right after we got the results from your final exam. I can't tell you what it is, but I have a feeling you're really going to like it.”

“If it’s with you, Sweets—I already know I’ll love it.”

THIRTY-SIX

ACE

“Is the blindfold really necessary?”I ask as Lark pulls me through the door of my apartment. My shoulder bumps into the frame, making me stagger, but she rights me with a hand on my forearm. “You know I’d literally follow you straight into hell with no questions asked. Whatever you have planned, I’m into it.”

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