Page 176 of Beautiful Storm

“Noted.” Her eyes remain closed but I catch the subtle nibble of her lip as she bites back her smile. “Night, Ace.”

“Night, Babe.”

Babe.I guess I’ll take it. She can call me whatever the hell she wants as long as she’s safe, happy, and in my arms.Forever.

Alittle while later, I’m on my third chapter when my eyes get heavy. I’m just about to move Amelia off my lap when my phone vibrates on the bedside table.

Reed: Now that Luke’s found his end game, we need a new group name. What do you guys think?

I chuckle quietly and start typing but Easton beats me to it.

Easton: My vote is to delete the group

Luke: OR…

Luke changed the group name to “Easton’s support group.”

Reed: Yes! Nailed it

Reed: This is going to be so much fun

Dylan: I’m staying for this, even though I won’t be on the team anymore

Easton left the group

Luke added Easton

Luke: You love us, there’s no use denying it. We’re here for you, man

EPILOGUE ONE

Amelia - The Big Day

Today’s the day and no matter what happens, it’s going to be life-changing.

With my heart lodged in my throat, I bounce Juliet softly in my arms as we enter the last few minutes of the game. The score is tied, but even with his helmet on and the distance between us, I can tell Luke’s confidence hasn’t wavered. Not making the Super Bowl was never an option in his mind, and now that they’re here, they’re out to win. It’s their year and they know it.

I watch as Luke lines up for the next play and smile through my nerves. The love I have for this man is beyond anything I’ve ever felt before, and while it’s still scary as hell, there's a giddiness running through my veins at the thought of finally finding my person. I have no doubt in my mind that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be in life. Everything that came before thismoment happened to bring us together. I may never understand it, but I know it’s the truth. It has to be, because I’ve never felt more alive and I’ve never felt so centered before. Like I’ve truly found my purpose. I wasn’t born to be a muse. I wasn’t meant to be a shadow of my former self. I was meant to shine, and even when I’m at home in my pajamas, nursing Juliet, Luke makes me feel like I do. He makes me feel like I’m the star of our show, like I’m the most important person in the room—Juliet aside. He lifts me up.

Through all our faults, and we have many, the one thing that makes us perfect for each other is that we’re equals. No matter what happens in life, I know he’s got my back, and I have his. If I wanted to go back to work tomorrow, he’d support me. If I wanted to stay home and raise babies for the rest of my life, he’d support that too. And if I wanted to walk away from our relationship—not that I could ever fathom that—he’d support my decision. He’d fight like hell, but in the end, he wants what’s best for me.

I’ve never had that. Not with my parents, not with Preston. I’ve never felt that sure, that protected, that safe. And I’ve definitely never felt that loved.

Lainey bounces on her toes beside me before grabbing my free hand. San Francisco has the ball as the clock ticks down, but I still hold my breath. Cincinnati has played a hell of a game, and it could still go into overtime and go either way.

Thomas launches the ball, and my breath hitches loudly, or maybe it was a collective hitch from everyone in the room. Either way, there’s a breath of silence, then chaos ensues in the suite as the ball hits its mark, landing in Easton’s outstretched hands before he runs ahead with Luke protecting him from the side.

Barely a few seconds tick by, but I’m so tense that when my phone vibrates in my pocket, I jump, startling Juliet. She settlesquickly, but when I glance up, I see Easton slam the ball to the field as the whistle blows.Touchdown.

The crowd erupts in cheers as tears coat my eyes. Summer and Lainey jump up and down screaming, but when they see me, they stop, opening their arms wide for a hug. We sway to the fanfare, my chest full of awe as we watch the guys fall all over each other in celebration.

They did it. They won.

Luke said they would, and they did. He was confident from the beginning. He knew what he wanted, and he went after it. Exactly like he did with me.

“You girls should go,” I tell Summer and Lainey when it’s obvious they’re lingering for my benefit. “The guys will be expecting you on the field.”

Lainey hesitates until I shove her toward the door, but not before giving me one more sad pout as she glances toward the field.

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