I step forward, meeting Jill and Beau a few feet from where the two of us will stand to exchange vows, pledging our lives to one another for the rest of time.
“Hi,” Jill greets me quietly as I reach out to take her hands in mine.
“I’m entrusting you with my only baby girl, you break her heart and I’ll find a way to make you pay,” Beau tells me, his words serious but loving at the same time. He knows I’d do anything for Jill, and the last thing I’d ever purposely do is break her heart.
“Of course,” I tell my soon to be father-in-law. Our relationship has blossomed over the past year as we’ve gotten to know one another better. I’d never have guessed that I’d have a standing golf date with my father-in-law, but we’ve done just that since this past summer, when he invited me out for a charity golf game. I shake his outstretched hand; his grip is firm as he pumps my hand twice before dropping it.
“Love you, Daddy,” Jill whispers to him as he places a kiss on her cheek then steps back and joins Diane in the first row of chairs set up in the sand a few feet away from where we stand.
I escort Jill the few feet until we’re under the archway that she wanted for us to stand under. It is beautifully covered in flowers that perfectly complement the beach setting that Jill dreamed of having for our wedding day. “I love you.” I mouth the words to her as we listen to the minister explain to us how things will go tomorrow.
Once we’ve walked through the ten-minute ceremony, I don’t care that this isn’t the real thing, I pull Jill until we’re flush against each other. I cup her face and bring my lips to hers. I dip her back as I deepen the kiss, realizing that our wedding party is all hooting around us as I kiss the fuck out of my fiancée.
“Wow,” she says when we break apart a moment later. I stand us both back up, rubbing my thumb along her kiss-swollen lips.
“You think that was impressive, just wait until I kiss you tomorrow,” I say only for her to hear.
“Please don’t make a spectacle out of it?” she pleads.
“I’ll keep it from spectacle level, but I will be kissing the fuck out of you. Then I’ll take you somewhere private so I can actually fuck you,” I whisper into her ear. I feel the slight tremor that slides down her body. My sign that she’s turned on just as much as I am.
“Let’s go eat,” she suggests with a smirk and I lead her down the sand aisle.
We join our guests at the rehearsal dinner. We mingle amongst everyone, the atmosphere very casual and laid back as the time passes.
“Remind me why you can’t just come to bed with me now?” I ask Jill as I pull her in for one last good-night kiss at the suite’s door.
“Because we’re keeping with tradition that you can’t see me before our ceremony,” she tells me as she presses her lips to mine.
“I don’t like that plan,” I pout. “How do you expect me to sleep tonight if you aren’t pressed up against me? How are you going to sleep without me making you come first?”
“I’m sure we’ll manage just fine,” she laughs, and pats my chest. “Just think of how much it will build up the anticipation for tomorrow night.”
I grumble at her words. “Why did I agree to a sunset wedding time? Can we change that to a sunrise?”
“No, and no peeking tomorrow. If you try to sneak in and see me early I will withhold wedding night sex from you, mister,” she says as sternly as she can, but cracks into a fit of giggles at the last minute.
“All right, so tomorrow night, sunset, you and me and the rest of our lives,” I tell her, pressing my forehead against hers as my hands find their way to her hips, holding her close to me.
“I’ll be there, the one in the white dress, just in case you needed help picking me out,” she teases.
“I love you,” I say, pressing my lips against her forehead.
“Love you, too, Mr. Camps.”
“Less than twenty-four hours and you’ll be Mrs. Camps,” I remind her.
“Jill Camps,” she says. “It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” I tell her, kissing her once more.
“Jill, are you coming?” Julia calls from down the hall.
“I’ll be there in just a minute,” she tells her best friend.
“See you soon, husband to be,” Jill says as her hands find mine as she links our fingers. With one quick squeeze she’s pulling away from me and heading down the hall to the suite she’s staying in tonight. I watch as she goes, forcing myself to stay put in this exact spot so that I don’t go pick her up, toss her over my shoulders and bring her back to our room, traditions be damned. But I don’t, I know this is important to her, so I turn and open the suite door, taking myself inside. I shuck off the shorts and polo I wore for the rehearsal and dinner tonight, then hit the showers before I spread out on the king-size bed. I flip on the TV, finding some tattoo shop show to watch until sleep claims me for a fitful night’s sleep.
“We’ve got a slight problem,” Diane says to me just after lunch.
“What’s that?” I ask, dread filling my belly at the thought of Jill having second thoughts about marrying me today.
“There is a storm brewing out at sea and the wedding planner is suggesting we move the ceremony up by a few hours rather than risk the storm hitting by then.”
“And that’s a problem?” I ask, relieved that it isn’t Jill having second thoughts. I wasn’t loving the idea of having to wait hours more until I got to see her, but I also know that she really wanted a perfect setting for our pictures.
“It shouldn’t be. As long as you can inform the guys to go get ready, Jill is already doing so and should be ready in an hour. I’ve already taken care of informing the guests.”
“I’ll take care of the guys,” I assure my soon to be mother-in-law.
“Thanks. Jill was starting to panic when I left the room where she’s at,” she tells me.
“Can you take her something for me, please?” I ask, knowing that I have a gift for my bride back in our room.
“Of course,” Diane says.
“Come with me and I’ll give it to you,” I tell her, leading the way.
“She asked that I give you this,” Diane says, handing me an envelope as I hand her the small bag, which holds a necklace with matching tennis bracelet, along with a short note.
“Thanks,” I tell her. “I’ll get the guys moving. Just text me a specific time everyone needs to be ready and outside and I’ll make sure they are present and accounted for.”
“Will do, see you soon!” she says as she makes her way out of the room and down the hall.
I head down the hall to my mom’s room, letting her know what is going on so that she can start to get ready. Cindi already knows since she’s in the bridal party with Jill. I head for Beckett’s room and let him know to start to get ready, too.
An hour later, I’m dressed and waiting. I pull out Jill’s envelope, carefully breaking the seal the glue created.
Johnathan,
Today I pledge to be your wife. To love, honor, and cherish you through the good times and bad. Through sickness and health. I pledge to always be by your side, to be your light when yours is dimmed. I’m honored you chose me to spend the rest of your life with. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been, and I can’t wait to see where this life takes us. I love you with all that I am, and to the moon and back.
Love your one and only,
Jill
I read her words over multiple times, letting them soak in until they’ve reached my soul. I’d never expected to find a woman as incredible as Jill, but I did. Fate has a way of working out sometimes. It takes a playmaker on the ice to take control and set his team up to win, but it’s the game changer that steals the show and brings it all together.
She’s my game changer, and my forever.
~
More Indianapolis Eagles books are coming in 2021! In the meantime, start at the beginning with Just Say Yes!
Start the spinoff Indianapolis
Lightning Series today with The Perfect Pitch!
Afterword
I hope you have enjoyed this book, and would consider leaving a review on your favorite retailer.
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Coming Soon
Rumor Going ‘Round
Lyrics & Love Series Book 3
Fall 2020
Add on Goodreads today!
Also by Samantha Lind
Indianapolis Eagles Series
Just Say Yes ~ Scoring The Player
Playing For Keeps ~ Protecting Her Heart
Against The Boards ~ The First Intermission
The Hardest Shot ~ The Game Changer
Box Set 1 {Books 1-3}
Standalone Titles
Tempting Tessa
Until You ~ An Aurora Rose Reynolds Happily Ever Alpha Crossover Novella
Until Her Smile ~ An Aurora Rose Reynolds Happily Ever Alpha Crossover Novella
Cocky Doc ~ A Cocky Hero Club Novel
Lyrics & Love Series
Marry Me ~ Drunk Girl
Indianapolis Lightning Series
The Perfect Pitch ~ The Curve Ball
Acknowledgments
To everyone who has supported me, thank you! Thank You for the impact you have made on my life and my writing. Please know that I appreciate you all!
xoxo,
Samantha
About the Author
Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home, where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.
Connect with Samantha in the following places:
www.samanthalind.com
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The Game Changer : Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 8 Page 20
