Page 132 of The Way We Win

He’s holding my left with that ring poised on my third finger. “Allie, will you make me the happiest man in the world…” His warm eyes hold mine, and when I blink, tears fall onto my cheeks. “And let the town off the hook?”

Laughter flows through the group, and I glance out to see all four of my girls right up front hugging each other, eyes shining with tears.

Lifting my chin, I nod quickly. “Yes! Again, yes yes yes yes yes…”

He rises, cupping my face in both hands, looking deeply into my eyes in a way that steals the breath from my lungs. Then he covers my lips with his, giving me one swipe of his tongue before cutting it short and pulling me into his side in a hug.

“Now it’s time for a party!” Garrett shouts, and a roar of cheers goes up.

He lifts his hand to start the music when a snarly voice interrupts our celebration.

“Well, this explains everything.” George Powell shoves front and center on the floor in front of the stage, weaving slightly as the crowd parts around him. “I called it from the first day! You people don’t have the balls to say what’s happening here, but I do.”

Levi pushes through the group, shouting, “Dad, stop! Don’t do this!”

He grabs his father’s arm in an attempt to pull him away, but the man turns on him, hitting Levi with a backhand that sends him to the floor.

“No!” I yell from the stage as Austin and Tyreek rush to their friend.

Jack makes a move, but Logan intercepts him, grabbing the man around the upper arms and pulling him back.

“I’ve got him—enjoy your night.” Logan frowns up at us. “It’s time for you to get out.”

He starts to muscle George to the door, but the man breaks free from Logan’s hold. He squares around to face his son, shouting.

“I gave you everything!” the man yells. “Sacrificed everything! I took you everywhere you needed to go. You had the best of the best, the talent, the drive. You were supposed to be everything I’m not.”

“I don’t want to be you!” Levi shouts back, his cheek blazing red from the strike. “I don’t want to play football! I want to stay here!”

“And be nothing?”

Levi blinks fast, shaking his head as he looks at the man. “And be a dad! Sadie’s pregnant.”

The room falls silent. My hand tightens in Jack’s, and my eyes fly to Austin, who’s standing behind his friend.

His expression is shocked, and he takes a step back. My heart aches, and I want to go to him, but George isn’t done.

“So?” he snaps. “What does that have to do with you?”

Levi’s eyes flash. “It’s mine.”

“Says who?” his father cries. “That little slut? How do you know it’s not the golden boy’s? She’s been sleeping with the whole team!”

“I have not!” Sadie’s wobbly voice cries from somewhere in the crowd.

I scan the room until I find her standing in a clutch of her friends. Her face is red and splotchy, and her eyes are wide. Her cousin Oliver goes to stand beside her, putting his hand on her back.

Levi lunges at his dad, but Garrett catches him around the waist. “Take it easy,” he murmurs.

“She’s not a slut!” Levi yells. “The baby’s mine, and I’m going to stay here with her. I’m going to be the best dad—nothing like you. I hate you!”

George’s eyes narrow, and he huffs air through his thick lips. “Real mature, Levi. And how will you pay for this baby with no job, no education…”

“He’s got a job,” Garrett interrupts. “He’s working in animal control.”

Levi frowns up at him.

“Animal control?” the elder Powell scoffs.

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