Page 100 of Icing the Play

“It is.” I held my breath, my pulse pounding in my temples.

Myles squeezed my free hand, and his gaze locked on mine.

“This is Rodger Minson with the Seattle Seahawks. We’d like you to know we’ll be announcing you as our pick in the draft.”

I shook the hand Myles held, my pulse pounding harder. “That’s great news, Mr. Minson. I can’t wait to be a Seahawk.”Holy fuck!

“Welcome to the organization, Cooper. We’re glad to have you aboard. I’ll be sending along the contract to your agent, Mr. Dirkson, and we’ll see you in training camp.”

“Thank you so much, sir.” The call ended, and I stared at my phone. “I did it. We fucking did it, Myles. We’re moving to Seattle.Together.”

Myles squealed and bounced on the couch.

“Hell yes.” Ace poured bourbon into the glasses and handed them out. “It’s not a fuck U of A shot, but this’ll do.”

We all held up our drinks, tapped them together, and downed them. The oak-flavored liquor burned down my throat.

“I love you so much, Cooper. I can’t believe what you did to stay with me.” Myles’s eyes glittered in the afternoon light, streaming in from the patio doors.

“Myles, you’re worth it. Where ever you go, I’ll be right next to you. I promise.” I pressed a long kiss on his mouth as he hooked his arm around my neck. Breaking the kiss, he buried his face in my neck and sniffled.

“Love you,” I whispered.

EPILOGUE

MYLES

Three Months Later

Iwalked through a hotel casino in Las Vegas with the entire squad following and my boyfriend beside me. We’d planned this one weekend to be back together and, for once, our schedules had aligned. Leo’s brother’s band was playing at an outdoor venue, and we were celebrating everyone’s success at the show.

As I strolled through one of a line of glass doors and into the warm air of the strip, Cooper grabbed my hand. The flashing lights of the street were almost blinding, and the scent of greasy food mixed with car exhaust assaulted my nose.

“We’re going to have so much fun, babe.” He glanced behind him. “Right, Ace?”

“Hell yeah. I’ve been to Vegas, but always for a game and never experienced it.” Ace wrapped an arm around Zoma’s shoulders and kissed his cheek.

“Where is this venue, exactly?” Mason hauled Jett next to Archer and Leo.

“Just up the road there. My brother Axel said the stage is huge, so we can’t miss it.” Leo kissed Archer’s knuckles. “It’s also wedged between an outdoor market of sorts.”

“Maybe we can get one of those street vendors to make us a cool spray paint sign.” Jonah said, strolling beside Ryan.

“Of what, our teams?” Ryan arched a brow.

“What about a sign that says Fuck U of A with shot glasses?” I cackled. We would never let that go. I gazed at the small shops lining the street, selling anything from t-shirts to electronics, all under overhangs with more crazy lights.

Tyler stepped next to me, hand in hand with Rowan. “Are we going to have falling-down-drunk-Myles or only-one-drink-Myles tonight?” He flashed me a grin.

“What do you mean?” Cooper eyed Tyler.

Dipping my head and smirking, I said, “Oh, I used to get pretty drunk sometimes. I think it was all the pressure I put myself under. You know, I wasn’t out to my family. I never felt good enough.” Tightness squeezed my chest. I wasn’t that guy anymore. “I don’t think I’ve been falling-down-drunk-Myles since I met you, Coop.”

“Yeah?” Cooper squeezed my hand.

“You changed him, Coop.” Tyler landed his hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “I’ve never seen Myles so content.”

“That says a lot, coming from you.” Cooper patted Tyler’s hand.

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