Page 40 of Falling for the Quarterback
I’m met with his booming laugh as he takes a bite. He chews, nodding excitedly. “You can count on it. I plan to make sure you know how much I’ve missed you, a few times.”
“Promises, promises,” I tease, and he smirks my way while hitting the button so the TV turns on. He toggles it to Pandora and turns some music on. “Oh, I like this,” I comment as he sets his food down.
“Come on, beautiful?”
“Wait, what? Where are we going?”
“Nowhere, I just want to dance with my woman and hold her close.”
“Christ, hotpants, you’re really making this hard on me to act all cool and calm around you. Bad enough you’ve already proven you have a big dick and know how to use it.”
He chuckles, pulling me back into his arms. He holds me close enough that our bodies can only move together, swaying to the romantic lyrics singing about being in love. I have a feeling this is what life with JJ will be like.
Always moving together, as one, loving, laughing, and living a life of happiness.
Epilogue
JJ
Twoyearslater…
“You did it!” Kinsley screams as I envelop her in a hug. She’s bright-eyed, cheeks red, breathless, and has never looked more beautiful. “I’m so proud of you, honey!” she grins, and I lean in, kissing her a bit roughly.
I’m choked up a bit. My nerves, excitement, and every other emotion I could be experiencing are spiraling through me at the moment. The thing that stands out the most, through it all?I’m grateful.I have the love of my life beside me, and I’ve reached the height of my career, all at once.
It’s taken over a decade of working with this team, and the past two years with Kinsley in my life, lighting a new fire underneath me for this to finally happen. We won the Super Bowl! Not only that, but we are the AFC South Champions, and I was awarded the Most Valuable Player.
As it all hits me, I fall to my knees, bowing my head. Tears swim in my vision, but they can’t be stopped. I’m just so damn happy in this moment, I want to feel it all. Take in each sound, smell, taste, and feeling hitting me, commit it to memory, and remember it for the rest of my life.
Kinsley crouches down in front of me in the next beat, her arms wrapping around me, as her head falls to my shoulder. “You okay,honey? You did it, you hear me? You are the greatest man I’ve ever met, on the field and off the field. You have to be proud of yourself, my love.”
My chin raises as I meet her gaze. She has tears in her eyes as well, but they’re different than mine.She’s worried about me.“I’m justsothankful right now. I’ve never been happier before, and I have a feeling it’s all because of you.”
Her brows raise, a tear cascading over her cheek. “You really feel that way about me, right now, in this moment? When you should be thinking about nothing but football?”
I nod. “Of course, you matter most to me. I love you.”
She presses a kiss to my forehead, and it’s sweet. I can see why she likes it so much when I do the same to her. “I love you too.”
I climb to my feet, pulling her with me. I have to go on the small stage in a minute with Coach to get our trophy. Besides, there are too many people around and I don’t want anyone bumping into my woman. I’d never forgive myself if she got hurt.
“Hey, JJ?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“You know that question you asked me at Christmas and I told you I wasn’t ready?”
My head tilts as I think back to the day. How I’d felt spoiled having her with me to celebrate. We’d baked cinnamon rolls together, and her sons stayed with us for a few nights. Mom came up, too, and it all felt pretty magical having the family I always dreamed about. “Yeah, I remember…”
“I’m ready, now.” She says seriously, and my mouth dropsopen.
“You’ll marry me?”
She nods, her lip trembling. I know it was hard for her to ever think of marriage again after her last, but our lives are different. She’s my person.My one.
“Yes, woohoo!” I scream suddenly, throwing my hands in the air. My teammates copy me, thinking it’s over the game, but it’s so much more.
Joanna McKnight leans in, camera at her back, and laughs, “That’s some serious celebrating you’re doing, JJ Camdon. I’d say this quarterback is happy about winning the Super Bowl.” She holds the microphone toward me.
