Page 50 of I Got You

I opened the box to find a tungsten ring plated with rose gold. I held it in my palm, feeling a tightness in my chest grow as I weighed slipping it on my finger. No matter the reasons, I committed to Maggie. It may not be for love, but I made vows to her I have every intention of keeping.

For some reason, putting the ring on my finger makes it so much more real. It would be a declaration to the world that I’m tied to another. Do I want that? Do I want to let the world, Maggie, know I’m in this with her and her only?

Contemplating this, I rolled the ring between my fingers and saw the engraving. I had my answer.

I got you

She’d engraved the ring with the words I fear and want and need the most. She’s said it before that we had this. Together. That she’s got me. And as much as it terrifies me, I want her to know I’ve got her too.

This isn’t about love. It doesn’t have to be. This is about commitment, and that’s something I can do. What no one has ever done for me. I want the world to know that she’s mine, and I want her to know that I’ve got her in whatever way that means right now.

I hear a whistle and rub the ring with my thumb, trying to get used to the feel of it as I approach the fifty-yard line to call my guys in. I give orders about what we’re working on today and send them back out. I glance around, looking for Maggie, but instead of her, I see the tall redhead strutting in my direction. Awww, shit.

She stops next to me, way too close. “Hey, coach. You don’t mind if we borrow the end zone for a bit, do you?”

“It’s fine,” I say, intentionally not looking at her, a sheen of sweat forming on my brow, remembering Maggie’s teasing comments.

“You ready for the big game?” She moves to stand more in front of me, trying to meet my eyes, but I’m not playing.

I don’t want to converse with her, so I take a big step away and focus on my guys. “Getting there,” I yell out to the field. “Let’s do that again!”

She’s clearly not getting the hint, so I take another step away, still trying to ignore her.

“Well, the team is celebrating at O’Malley’s after the game if you feel like joining.” Her fake bashfulness makes me want to laugh.

I push out a breath, ready to tell her to go find someone her own age who’s interested, but I feel familiar small arms slide around my middle.

“Hey, babe,” Maggie says, in a too-sweet tone, pressing her cheek to my back and squeezing me. “I’ve been waiting all day to see you.”

I’d breathe with relief, but standing here with her pressed against my back makes anything like breathing suddenly feel difficult. She slides around to my side, keeping one arm around me, her chin tip upward, and a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. I want to know exactly what she’s up to.

She sets her eyes on the redhead.

“Oh hey, Cassie.” She says it casually, like she didn’t see her there. “We’re practicing over there.” She points to be specific. “I’ll be over in a minute. I just need a minute with my husband.”

Cassie, as I now know her, looks between us with her mouth hanging slightly open before redness washes up her neck to her face. She turns and marches away with what might be anger.

Maggie moves in front of me, and instead of stepping away, she pushes up to her tiptoes, links her arms around me, and nuzzles into my chest. As much as I don’t mind it and might even like it to continue, I know my guys will take notice any minute.

“What are you doing?” I try not to sound perturbed, but it’s the best I can do with this new level of physical contact and my inability to know what to do with it.

“Making sure she gets the hint. She’s pissed. You can bet your good knee that in two-point-two, she’ll be looking back over here to confirm that you’re with me. Given the look on her face, I’m not confident she won’t start stalking you. Plus, I’ve had a crap day, and whether you like it or not, I could use a hug.”

“What happened today?” I’m trying to focus on anything but Maggie’s body pressing against mine.

“I got a call from my dad’s lawyer. He’s going to call Cliff, Clifford,” she says with a snooty tone. “He said he can’t wait any longer to read the will, and finding out from the press that Dad passed away will only make things worse.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that avoiding them has come to an end. He and Joan will be here in a matter of days, bringing all their stuck-up, arrogant, two-faced ideas with them. The lawyer said he’d call me after he talked to him. I’m tired of anticipating what they’ll try to pull, so we just need to get on with it.”

I hear the worry in her voice and wish I could take it away. “I’m sorry.”

She pulls me to her just a little tighter as whistles and hollers are thrown in our direction.

Maggie pulls back and grins but doesn’t let me go. I roll my eyes. Then, without thinking about why, I dip her, wanting to get a rise out of her and rile up the team in the process.

Her eyes widen, and she laughs, which is becoming my favorite sound.

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