Page 98 of The Secret Play

Gemma gave my hand a squeeze. She must have known how it shocked me because the corners of her mouth upturned, but she didn’t say anything. She knew to let me process what had just happened.

Winnie kept eating and bouncing in her seat like nothing had changed. But with that one word, my entire world had shifted. Was this what parenthood was like? Tiny, world-reshaping, welcome earthquakes every day?Only time will tell.

As we ate, the news coverage continued in the background. Every anchor had the same tone—gushing and celebratory. Nothing like what I’d expected, though I wondered if they’d be so generous if we hadn’t won.

“What makes this story so compelling,” one anchor said, “is the way both of them put themselves out there for each other. Casey McConnell risked his career for the woman he loves, and Gemma Grimaldi risked public backlash to set the record straight about their story. It’s a modern fairy tale.”

“Fairy tale,” Gemma muttered, rolling her eyes. “I could have written better copy for them to read.”

“Hey,” I said, nudging her. “You’re a journalist. You know how they spin things.”

“It’s still weird to hear it about yourself when you’re a reporter. You’re not supposed to become the story.”

“It’ll settle down as soon as they can sink their teeth into someone else.”

She sighed. “I know. It’s just…”

“Surreal?”

“Definitely.”

I glanced at my phone, unable to resist checking the latest headlines. Sure enough, the proposal footage and Gemma’s article were plastered everywhere. The win wasn’t even the top story anymore—the proposal had completely overshadowed it. Which didn’t make much sense.

I pulled up Whitney’s number, my thumbs flying over the keyboard.This media push about the proposal—your doing?

She replied almost instantly.Enjoy it, Coach. You deserve a break.

I smirked, shaking my head as I showed Gemma the message.

“What does she mean by that?”

“She won’t take credit outright, but I know it was her.”

Another text came through.

PS—You should consider a wedding before the next season starts. Gives you time to enjoy being a newlywed before reality hits again.

I read the message twice, considering her words. It wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, it sounded perfect.

“What is it?” Gemma asked, raising an eyebrow.

I leaned over, kissing her temple. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s just enjoy today.”

As the morning wore on, the odd nature of the situation started to fade, replaced by a warm sense of contentment. Sitting here with Gemma, Winnie, Nico, and Megan, it hit me again how special this was. Gemma had welcomed me into her little family with open arms, and each of them had done the same in their own way. I’d never experienced anything like it.

The world was buzzing about us, but in this little bubble, everything felt right.

Winnie giggled as Nico and Megan bickered over who had to clean up the remaining cereal mess. It had become clear the two of them were destined for each other. Gemma leaned against me, her hand resting on my leg as she watched them with a slight smile. I wondered when Nico and Megan might head down the aisle themselves and start a family.

Twenty-four hours ago, the world felt like it was ending. Gemma had thrown herself under the bus, and I had done what I could to pull her out, and none of it felt like enough. But life, such as it was, had fallen into place. This was my family now, too, in all their messy, imperfect glory.

I didn’t know what I’d done in a past life to deserve them, but I was glad I did it. This was what I had needed all along, it just took a series of questionable choices to get me here. And I had one more to make.

Chapter 40

Gemma

My daughter—ourdaughter—was being adorable. Shifting my thoughts from mine to ours was a feat. I’d thought of Winnie as mine for the longest time. But I wanted to share her with Casey. I wanted to share everything with him.

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