Page 74 of The Last Person
“Thank you, sir,” Ryan says.
“Jesus, don’t call me ‘sir,’ Hardison. I’m not that old.”
We both stifle a laugh as he keeps walking. Thankfully, Chet spins on his heel and storms in the opposite direction.
I lean against the nearby wall, overwhelmed.
Ryan steps in front of me and takes my hands. “Forget about all that noise,” he whispers, then presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Let’s celebrate with the people who really matter.”
I’ve never been a partier.Clubs aren’t my scene. Loud music is overwhelming, but tonight, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
“To the Super Bowl winners!” Justin shouts, popping a bottle of Champagne and pouring it into glasses.
“This is the first—and will probably be the only—time during my pregnancy when I’m bummed I’m pregnant,” Hallie says. “I wish I could be here all night celebrating with you, but I’m already crashing.”
Wilson wraps his arms around her. “We can celebrate more with them tomorrow, Hellion. You and baby need some rest.”
“So do you,” Devon says to Kennedy, who is leaning against him, half asleep.
“I’d argue, but I’m too tired.”
“I’m sorry we’re so lame,” Hallie says.
“There’s nothing lame about growing tiny humans,” I tell them.
Ryan whistles to grab the bartender’s attention. “Do you have non-alcoholic Champagne or sparkling juice? Anything like that?”
The bartender nods and pulls out a bottle.
“Before you go, I want to make a toast,” he says, filling a glass for each of them while Justin fills the rest with Champagne. “This isn’t about winning the Super Bowl, not specifically. This is for all of us, for everything we’ve achieved both personally and professionally in the last year. We’ve grown, we’ve accomplished things, and greater than all that, we’ve found love. And together,we’ve created a beautiful chosen family that I’m honored to be a member of. To all of us.”
“Cheers,” everyone calls, even Keaten and Christy, who are also with us.
I wrap my arm around Ryan and whisper, “Cheers.”
His eyes find mine filled with love, excitement, and a hint of lust. But there’ll be time for that later.
We say goodbye to Kennedy, Devon, Hallie, and Wilson, then Christy yells, “Let’s dance!”
Everyone follows as she leads the way to the dance floor. The club is mostly filled with Bandits players and their family and friends tonight. It’s somehow both low-key and upbeat.
Ryan’s fingers are laced with mine as we step onto the dance floor. I instantly wrap my arms around him and pull him close.
“Are you okay being here?”
I dip my head down, my mouth close to his, and splay my hand over his ass. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be tonight than basking in your brightness.”
Then I slant my mouth over his and grind against him, enjoying every second of his body against mine as we celebrate our win and the freedom to get lost in our love.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
HARDY
Offseason
PRsince the Super Bowl has been insane, and it’s only been five days.
Mark and Frannie took off yesterday for Anais Bay—the place they first connected last year. At this point, we’re all waiting for an engagement text.
