Page 131 of The Way We Win

“Y’all!” Dylan laughs, looking at all four of us hanging on the edge. “I had my last ultrasound Wednesday.”

“You know!” Rachel bounces on her toes.

Liv’s lips twist with a frown. “Are y’all going to do one of those gender-reveal parties?”

“What a face!” Dylan gives her sister-in-law a playful shove. “What if I did?”

“Just don’t set anything on fire. Or put your eye out.”

“Good lord, Liv!” Rachel laughs, shaking her head. “I think they’re fun! We could make balloons that have pink or blue smoke inside them or make a cake where the middle is all blue or pink…”

“Just tell us!” I hold Dylan’s arm. “We won’t tell anybody, and you can do whatever you want for a reveal.”

“Logan would murder me.” Dylan laughs. “I already told him we weren’t telling anybody we were pregnant until the second trimester, and everybody knew in like a day.”

“That’s because your Dare dishes tasted like…” I shake my head, making a foul face.

“Mean!” Dylan gives me a shove.

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s simply the truth.”

“Whatever. All I know is, I’m not telling you tonight.” Dylan lifts her chin. “Tonight has already been called.”

“For the football team?” Liv’s face crinkles. “We’re way more interested in a new Bradford.”

“Then you should be very happy!” Dylan laughs, giving a side-eye that makes my stomach jump.

The music cranks up, and Garrett is in the front of the room dancing with the team. They’re hyped and happy. Austin has his arm around Edward’s neck, and Rachel’s brother is not smiling. He’s doing his best with his earplugs firmly in place, but I see his occasional wince.

“I hope they don’t take too long with all of this.” I lean closer to Rachel, speaking in her ear. “Edward looks really uncomfortable.”

“He wanted to be on the team.” She shrugs, shaking her head like there’s nothing she can do.

The boys start chanting Jack’s name, and Logan and Zane shove him onto the stage. Even Buddy Outlaw is smiling and clapping, his nephew Lucas right beside him, no doubt thinking about next year, when he’ll be starting quarterback.

“Yeah, I see you.” Jack smiles attractively, clapping hands with the cheering boys as their shouting and the music dies down. “I’m really proud of you guys. You played hard all season, and we’ve come a long way.”

He looks around the room, making eye contact with every member of the team, and I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest. They all hang on his every word, and he takes his role so seriously. He’s so good with them.

“We did it, and every single one of you was a part of this.” He holds up the trophy, and cheers and whistles rip through the room. “This is for us, and the town will always remember this year. Hopefully, as the start of many more to come.”

More cheers and shouts. The boys hug and high-five, and Jack leans into the mic. “I’d like to do one more thing if you don’t mind.” The celebration dies down again, and his blue eyes land on mine. “Allie LaSalle, would you join me up here, please?”

“What?” A knot twists in my throat, and my eyes widen.

Everyone starts to clap, and more whistles cut through the noise. Hands guide me to the stage, and I look up to see Austin at my side smiling so big it makes my breath hiccup.

“Say yes,” he whispers, helping me climb onto the stage beside Jack.

“Winning state champs isn’t the only big thing to happen this year.” He looks out at the room, that grin still on his lips. “I made a big decision of my own as well.”

“Jack…” My voice is high, and he takes my hand, lifting it to his lips.

“I thought this would be a surprise,” he quips. “But the onlysurprise was me finding out how many of you already knew it was coming—or were asking when I’d finally do it.”

A ripple of laughter is followed by the sound of gasps and squeals as Coach Jack Bradford lowers to one knee in front of me.

“Oh my gosh…” My nose is hot, and I cover my mouth with my right hand.

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