Page 149 of Beautiful Storm

“Right,” I confirm but her sadness seeps into my chest.

“Cheer up.” She laughs. “This is a good thing. Now, help me pack up my stuff.”

Things are calmer for the next few days. Amelia doesn’t hear anything more about the fire, telling me that Adrian’s keeping her in the loop. And I have to believe he’d tell her if he knew something. He seems like a good guy.

As for my little issue, it went away. People stopped commenting on the article and there hasn’t been another one since. I know this because I followed Dylan’s lead, putting an alert on mine and Amelia’s names, and so far, I haven’t come across anything that’s not football related.

When Saturday comes around, I try to get myself in the right headspace for tomorrow’s final game before the playoffs. But it’s a struggle. While Amelia’s stress has thankfully lessened, mine has increased and I’m at a loss for what to do.

Amelia’s already up when I get out of the shower morning, and when I get downstairs, she’s got a huge smile on her face, the sight of it easing my tension until she speaks.

“I want to come to the game,” she announces, and I freeze as a million thoughts run through my head.

“Amelia, I don’t—”

“Lainey called and invited me to go with her. And before you say no, I’ll be in the box, not down among the chaos.”

My eyes drop to Amelia’s hand gently cradling her stomach and I shake my head. “It’s still a no. We were told not to stress. Watching football is stressful.”

“Only if you care,” she sasses.

I stare at her deadpan until I picture her in my jersey—the material pulling over her beautiful tummy as she cheers—and emotion wells in my chest. I never really stopped to think about what it would be like to have someone there for me. Yes, my parents often come to my big games, and Lainey’s usually there now for Thomas. But this is different. And I really fucking like it.

But I have to say no.

“What’s that look for?”

“Just thinking about how amazing it would be to have you there.”

She hits me with a beaming smile until she registers my expression. “But it’s still a no?” She frowns, her eyes full of so much sadness it burns in my chest.

“Fuck, Amelia. You’re killing me.”

Her expression shifts before her eyes well with tears and she steps forward, and just when I think I’m going to have to give in, she wraps her arms around my waist and smiles. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I wasn’t thinking. But I’ve been feeling better and I just wanted to be there for you.”

“I know.” I press a kiss to her brow and rock her slightly. “And it would mean the world to me, but I can wait. Your health means more to me than having you at my game.”

She nods with a smile, before burrowing farther into the protection of my hold.

“Thank you,” I say, a wave of relief running through me before the longing hits.

I’d love to have her there, to be able to play for someone I care about, but I wouldn’t be able to keep my head in the game.

Amelia rests her chin on my chest and stares up at me. “For what?”

“Everything,” I repeat her words back to her.

“What about the bad?”

“Everything. Because it all led to this. I’ve got you. We’re about to have a little girl. The playoffs are coming up. Life is good.” And I’m praying it fucking stays that way.

Amelia blushes and it makes my heart happy. She never blushes, but I’ve managed to elicit that reaction a few times now.

“I agree.” She smiles brightly. “Life is good and oh… Jelly Bean agrees because she’s kicking with force this time.”

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