Loving The Game (Thirty-Something in the City - The Lunchtime Sorority Book 1)
Page 14
He leaned in. He wasn’t exactly whispering, but his voice was soft, calm. “As I was saying. I’m glad you you cannot imagine life without me.”
He lowered one hand down her arm. The touch of his fingers on her skin making her rethink that whole not an exhibitionist thing. He took her hand in hers, his fingers stroking hers.
What was he saying? Oh yes, they were back to that. She narrowed her eyes. “Yes. And you said you love me with everything you have. What are you getting at?”
“We’re not that couple.” He shook his head. “You don’t want spectacle or tradition. Me? I think there are certain things you should be brave enough to do in public. I figured the best way to propose was to simply do this.”
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes were wide. She’d barely registered his words when she felt something hard slip onto her ring finger. She looked up at him. “Oh, my God. Are you sure?”
He frowned. “It would be a really, really silly thing to do if I wasn’t. Don’t you think?”
She looked down at the ring on her finger. Platinum with three little sapphires, separate by two diamonds. It was perfect. Not simple but not too overpowering for her small hand. She stared at it for several seconds. “Oh, my God.”
Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think we’ve covered that part.” He reached out to her. “If you don’t like it, I can change it.”
She pulled her hand back. “No take backs. You gave it to me. And it’s perfect.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You’re keeping it?”
There was something incredibly adorable about how unsure he was in that moment. But she didn’t want to tease him. Not about that. “Of course, I’m keeping it.”
“So you’ll marry me?” His eyes were wide, his grin even more so. “You’ll be my wife?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, Tyler. I’ll marry you. I’m never letting you go.”
Just then the audience erupted into applause. He gave her a sheepish grin and pointed to his microphone. It was still on. “Yeah, we weren’t really that private.”
Her cheeks heated up and she heard giggling as her friends made their way around the corner. Tracey came in for a hug. “You guys are the least romantic people I know.”
Tina nodded, the hair of her knew pink wig bouncing from side to side. “I read a lot of romances, and you two need to learn a thing or two.”
Jill didn’t care. It may have been more public than she was prepared for but it was perfect. It was exactly how their love story had gone. Hot, and unpredictable with no sign of tradition.
***
Tyler
The next day
Tyler took five paces back from the ball. The team had already won by a large margin. The points he would add was just a bonus. He blocked out the crowd, his teammates, even the thoughts of being newly engaged to the love of his life. There was no breeze. It was humid, but he wasn’t worried about that. He started his run-up and his boot connected with the ball just where he wanted it to. As usual, he waited for the two touch judges to lift their flags before he started celebrating with his team.
It wasn’t important in terms of point standing, or the provincial competition. The charity team had played against the boys they had been coaching for the past month. They always knew the boys would lose but they didn’t want to go easy on them. Tyler had insisted that they see how much hard work they still needed to put in. The final score was 57 - 13. The boys had scored one try against them and that was the highlight of the day. For both teams.
Callum walked up to him as they left the field. “Now we need to build up their confidence again.”
Tyler shook his head. “That’s next week’s problem. I think we need to take them out for a… milkshake? Soda?”
Callum laughed. “Yeah, I think a burger and a soda will go a long way to making them happy.”
Both teams walked down the long tunnel from the field to the dressing rooms. There was no press around, no fans either. Generally, there were no friends and family allowed at the back either but seeing Callum’s little boy come bounding in their direction, meant someone had broken the rules. No one seemed to mind, though.
Jill walked out of the press room and fell into step beside them as Callum picked up his son. “They want both you and Callum. As well as anyone on the team who are also sponsors. I don’t think they’re out for blood. But I would stick only with people who are used to dealing with the media.”
God, she was so sexy when she was being professional. He didn’t think telling her that was a good idea. Instead Tyler decided to stick to business. “Adam Cooper’s law firm is a major contributor, and he knows how to snub the press.”
Her lips disappeared into a thin line. “Yeah. He’ll do. Just remind him to be nice.”
They continued walking as Jill gave them a rundown of what to expect from the press. As they approached the door to the locker room, Alyssa stepped forward.
“Sorry,” she said to Callum. “I tried to keep him with me, but as soon as he heard your voice he wanted to see you.”
Callum shook his head, not taking his eyes off Alyssa. “It’s not a problem. There weren’t many people milling about. Besides, everyone here is either friend or family anyway.”
Tyler wondered if he should give them a moment alone. Even volunteer to watch their son for a few moments, based on how charged the air was around them. Alyssa broke the tension by speaking up. “Can you take him tonight? I have an early meeting in the morning that I cannot reschedule.”
That was all she was going to tell Callum. As far as Tyler knew she hadn’t mentioned that she had resigned her post from the hospital. Not that she told anyone, really. The only reason Tyler knew was because Derrick had overheard it. But he could piece together what was happening.
Callum nodded. “No problem. I can drop him at school on my way here. We have training tomorrow.”
They looked at each other for another moment before Callum told Eli to kiss his mom goodbye before entering the dressing room.
Tyler turned to Alyssa. “Enough already. It’s obvious you still love him. Tell him you want him back and everything else he has a right to know.”
“What I want is irrelevant.” Alyssa said. “He doesn’t want me back. And that means he doesn’t have the right to know anything about my life.”
With that she walked away, and Tyler turned to another woman he knew was keeping secrets. He cupped Jill’s cheeks. “Are you going to tell me what is happening with Tina. I mean I can guess with the pink wig and the fact that she looks so utterly drained. I also know she hasn’t spent any time with Derrick when she’s been in town lately.”
“Ty, she’s our friend.” Jill wasn’t dismissing him. “I want her to tell you guys what is happening. She’s going to need you. All of you. Just give her time.”
Tyler nodded and kissed her. He held his forehead to hers. “Just take care of her until she trusts the rest of us to do it, please.”
Jill nodded. “I promise. And it’s not that I want to keep this secret. But I need to know if keeping it will destroy your trust in me.”
He swallowed hard. There was no doubt in his mind that he trusted Jill. “You’re not denying anything or lying to me. Tina needs your confidence a lot more than I need to know. I’m frustrated because one of friends is so obviously in distress. But I trust that you know what you’re doing here.”
A sheen of tears spilled over Jill’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“And if it becomes too much for you, promise me you’ll talk to me.” He held her close to his chest. “You cannot be there for her, if you’re falling apart. At least let me make sure that you’re okay.”
She looked up at him. Love and warmth radiating in her eyes. “How the fuck did I get so lucky.”
THE END
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Acknowledgements
To my readers, thank you for taking a chance on a new author. Here’s to many Happily Ever Afters together.
To my family, who have put up with me every step of the way. Your unwavering love and support got me through another book and I am forever grateful. In particular, to my husband, who has been my biggest champion through the whole process. My daughter, who has been my personal cheerleader, and my aunt who held me accountable and kept me fed and rested.
To the Loving the Game Team (I cannot believe how much this has grown in six months): Kayla, thanks so much for that lovely cover and for putting up with me. Sally-Ann, thanks for being here at the last minute and making me look better than I actually am, it’s much appreciated. Tracy, for all the support and making sure this book got into my readers hands. To my advanced team for putting up with me and answering my annoying questions. For reading drafts and making notes. Sophie, Clayr, Marnie and Leah. Ladies, this book has brought me closer to all of you and for that it will always be special to me. Thank you so much for all you have done. And lastly my critique partner, developmental editor, soundboard, Rose Amberly, words are not enough, but I know I wouldn’t be here without you.
About the Author
Bailie Hantam lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. She's been writing stories her whole life. Her love for the romance genre started back in her teen years, when she devoured everything ending with a Happily Ever After. She put off writing for nearly two decades while she concentrated on raising her daughter and helping with her husband's business. Now, with an empty nest, and a little more free time, she is finally writing and giving those characters in her head their own Happily Ever After.