Page 61 of Protecting the Boundary
I wrap my hand around the crook of his elbow and nod. “Ready.”
Romel failed to mention that this was not just a football gala, but a huge network TV sports gala. There are Dodgers players here.
“Are you fangirling?” he asks with a grin.
“No,” I say, but it sounds breathy even to my ears, and then one of the best players in Dodgers history walks by and I nearly trip and fall against Romel.
He actually has the audacity to laugh at me, the jerk.
“You weren’t even this tongue-tied when you met the guys,” he says.
“Yeah, but you guys are football players. Football is my dad’s favorite sport, not mine.”
“So let me get this straight. You would’ve lost your mind when you first met me if I was abaseballplayer?”
“Oh, totally.”
“Alright, then I’m definitely keeping you away from all the baseball guys tonight—and in the future.”
I give him a sly smile. “Worried one might steal me away?”
He grabs my hand, spinning me into his arms. “Oh, absolutely, and I don’t plan on ever letting you go.”
My smile falls as my heart rate speeds up. Staring into his deep brown eyes, it’s easy to lose myself inside them, and I hope he’s right that he’ll never let me go because there’s nowhere else I want to be than in his arms for the rest of my life.
We walk to the table and I see the other members of the Fierce Four. Next to each one is a beautiful woman—their wives I’m guessing based on the looks of pure devotion in the guys’ eyes. Romel does the introductions.
“Everyone, this is Meredith Gable. Meredith, you’ve met Dom. This is his wife, Alayna, then Ty and his wife, Lexi, and then you’ve already met Gabe and Danae.”
I smile and offer a wave. “It’s nice to officially meet you all.”
I take a seat next to Danae and spend the rest of the night getting to know the Fierce Four wives and seeing Romel in his element. He’s charismatic, but modest, and as the dinner winds down, a presenter gets up to announce the winner of the award they’re giving out tonight for best sportsmanship.
“Without further ado, let’s welcome up here Romel Watson from the LA Wolves!”
My jaw drops as I stare at Romel in shock. Did he know he was getting an award tonight?
Based on the bashful smile he gives me, I’d say he had a good idea.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” I whisper as he stands.
And then he shocks me further by leaning over and placing a kiss on my lips. Camera flashes go off all around the room, and some hoots and hollers from other tables, and then Romel stands tall and walks up to the stage while I remain stunned speechless in my chair. I can’t believe he just did that.
He accepts his award with the grace and humility I’ve come to expect from him, and then the rest of the night is spent with people coming over to our table to talk to him. It’s fascinating to watch him interact with all these other super famous athletes like all of this is normal.
What on earth have I gotten myself into?
On the drive home, I ask him, “Do you get awards like this regularly?” This award seemed like a big deal based on how everyone else reacted, but Romel doesn’t seem all that fazed by it.
“No. I’ve gotten a few in my career, mostly MVP awards, or some accolades as part of the Fierce Four, but nothing like this.”
“You just made it seem like it’s no big deal.”
“It’s cool that my peers think I’m a good sportsman on the field. That’s what I’d like to be known for—as a good guy and a strong player. But at the end of the day, it’s a trophy that won’t mean much when I’m eighty. My legacy is Kaylee and how I raise her.” He pauses and then says, “And any future kids I have.”
My head spins so fast to face him, I almost get a crick in my neck. He must catch the movement from his periphery because he glances over at me, his expression serious.
I don’t say anything because I don’t know what to say to thatkind of declaration. Hope floods me that maybe he will be able to make room for me the way I want him to if he’s thinking about a future where there are more kids.
