Page 78 of A Game of Ruck
Marco nods, subtle but sure, and next thing I know, a preacher is stepping up like we’ve rehearsed this a hundred times.
But we haven’t.
Not even once.
Because this?
This is real.
And when Annabeth turns to me, breathless and wide-eyed, asking, “You want to marry me now?Here?”with that gorgeous voice cracking just a little, I don’t hesitate.
“You ran from me once, Angel.Never again.I want you signed, sealed, delivered.Mine.”
I reach for her hand, squeezing tight.
“We can still have a destination wedding later, with the kind of reception that’ll make Lisa’s look like a $3.99 all-you-can-eat buffet—no offense to buffet dinners—but right now, I need to marry you.I can’t wait another second to make you mine.Tell me you will.Say it,” I beg, not even a little bit ashamed that everyone can hear me.
She stares at me, lips trembling, eyes shining.
And then she laughs, nodding fast.
“Yes.Okay, first, I don’t need anything else later.I’ll marry you here and now, and I’ll mean it forever, you crazy man.”
“Yeah?”I ask, choking on emotion.
“Definitely yes.Let’s do this!”
Cheers explode around us.
Daniela is screaming.
Finley wipes a tear while still managing to take twenty photos a second.
Even Coach Dane is clapping like I just scored the game-winning try again.
We get married right there on the pitch.
Me, muddy, bloody, wearing my half-dried, game day uniform.
Her, glowing like the sun in a dress that she says is a little wrinkled from sitting, but I say it is perfect on her, anyway.
And with Marco Martinez standing a few feet away like a proud lion watching over his cub, I sign the prenup.
Right then.Right there.
“No, Papa, tell him no!”
“Mija, I absolutely will not.Let the man sign.”
“It’s fine, Angel.Don’t worry about it.He’s just looking out for you,” I say and nod my appreciation.
Honestly, I’m glad someone is.Lord knows, no one else I met at that shitty wedding cares one fig about this woman.
But that doesn’t matter now, because she has me.
And like I told her—like I keep telling her—I don’t give a single damn about her money or her father’s money.
I’ve got my own.
