Page 96 of The Player's Obsession

“Yes, and Oliver thought he was in love with Melanie. He gets a bit obsessed when he falls in love,” I add.

“Yes, and when I saw Melanie, I knew I no longer loved her. But she still had feelings for me. And we all showed up for their wedding on New Year's Day to discover they had called the wedding off. Travis went to console Nathan. The rest of us left.”

“There was a rumor you were the cause of it,” Michael adds.

He’s a football player. They have friends in common, I’m sure he heard comments and looked at post on social media. He’s making an assumption based on that without running it by his brother to hear his side.

“We were invited and enjoyed the hotel, the restaurant, the spa, and the —” Oliver explains.

“What about the honeymoon suite?” Michael asks.

Can’t his brother zip his loose lips?I have a feeling this ship is sinking,

“When we arrived at the hotel, everyone assumed we got married. Our room was automatically upgraded,” Oliver explains.

All the eyes in the room are on me at this point. “I wanted to set the record straight, but Oliver was enjoying the perks, and we figured if we didn’t say anything, the rumors would go away.”

“Then Nathan and Melanie broke up, and that news hit the internet, and the spotlight swung back to them.” Oliver stops pacing and with a stern expression as he says, “It started out as a misguided attempt to win Melanie back. Mom, you were so happy I was getting married. I thought if no one got hurt, it would make everyone happy. Penelope had a great time with you at the game. She wanted me to tell you the truth, but when she told me how much she loved our family, and everyone was so happy, I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.” He bows his head and mumbles, “I take full responsibility for this.”

“Son, you could have told us the truth. I met your mother, and the world stopped spinning. It’s been that way for over forty years,” Theo says.

“I know how fixated you can get. That focus is what makes you a great football player. We’re a lot alike when it comes to making sure things work out the way we want,” Emily says reassuringly.

“That’s who you get it from, Oliver,” I exclaim with a bit of a chuckle.

“Yeah, I should have told you.” Oliver grins as he sits between me and his dad, who promptly slaps his leg with an ‘adda boy’ attitude.

“Well, if that isn’t one hell of a story!” Theo says enthusiastically.

“So why is Penelope living with you after the deal ended?” Michael asks.

“I’m glad you asked that, Michael.” Oliver stands again and positions himself in front of me.

“I would have picked a fancy place to take you, but we can do that later. For now, I want you to know that I love you. I do want to marry you. I love waking up with you beside me and hearing you cheer for me at the game until you lose your voice. You are passionate and loving, and I picture us together forty years from now, just as we are today.” Oliver drops to one knee. “Will you marry me, Penelope?”

He loves me!

“I love you, too. Yes, Oliver, I will marry you.”

Oliver takes my hand, removes the ring, turns it around, and slides it back on. He looks me in the eye and says, “I love you.”

I never pictured what a proposal would look like or how I’d feel when it happened. I never guessed it would be today when I woke up this morning. Emotions take over. A single tear slips from my eye. Oliver pulls me to my feet, and we share a kiss.

His mom is using her napkin to dry her eyes. “It’s allergies,” she says, and we all chuckle.

Michael stands and gives Oliver a hug. “I knew the entire time you were over Melanie. This one here is a keeper.” Michael pulls me into his huge arms and nearly kills me with his massively tight hug. “Welcome to the family. I love it, I get a sister out of the deal.”

“So much for being in on our secret engagement plan. You always slip up and let the secrets out. What is wrong with you?” Oliver says.

“Hey, it all worked out. Congratulations,” Michael says, giving Oliver a thunderous slap on his back.

Theo and Emily stand and hug us both. Congratulations are spoken. I’m in shock.

“Welcome to the family, Penelope,” Emily says.

“Thank you. I know this is sudden, but I look forward to spending more time with you all,” I reply as my eyes turn misty.

I found my family.

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