The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1)
Page 23
“What’s my favorite kind of book?”
“Romance. Like a good librarian, you’ll say Classical literature. But it’s romance. You love happy endings. And sex.”
“Where do I want to go before I die?”
“Ireland. You did a report on it your senior year. We did our projects together. You told me everything about it, including how badly you wanted to go. I also know that your favorite sweets are cupcakes. Your favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough. You are by default a dog person because you’re allergic to cats. Romantic movies don’t make you cry but some commercials will.”
“I don’t know that much about you.”
“Yes, you do. What’s my favorite band?”
Lily thought hard. She vaguely remembered a t-shirt with an acronym he wore in high school. “Nine Inch Nails?”
“Exactly. What’s my favorite color?”
“You have two. Black and gold.”
“Why?”
“You’re a die hard Hawkeye fan.”
“My favorite dessert?”
“A big, gooey brownie. I made them once for school and you nearly ate the whole pan. And you love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream too.”
“See? You know all about me. Buddy may have been my best friend but I spent more time with you than I did him. Really, you’re the one who’s my best friend.”
“And you mine it seems. Maybe we were always meant to be.”
“I only know one thing. You’re my dream come true, Lilybug.”
His kiss took her breath away. She clung to him, her fingers grazing his as he held her. His band was smooth under her fingertips. A wedding band. Her husband. The man she dreamt of, fantasized about, was in love with since kindergarten had promised eternity to her. She couldn’t wait to spend that eternity in his arms.
Epilogue
One year later…
It was too early for customers at Buddy’s Bar but Reese kept his eyes locked on the door. He fumbled with the tap on the keg, distracted by the silent door. He got it secured just before it sprayed beer all over.
“Need help, kid?” Carl shouted from the back.
“No, I’ve got it. It’s not the first keg I’ve tapped. I’m just—distracted.” Reese wiped his hands on a damp rag as he forced his gaze to study the bar. A smile spread across his lips as his gaze rested on the gold and black championship belt hanging on the wall. He remembered the fight as if it was yesterday. Five rounds went to decision. He was just as shocked as everyone else when his hand was raised in victory. First, he hugged the belt. Then he hugged his wife.
Reese chuckled as he gazed at the picture frame of his little baby girl that now hung beside the belt. Winning a championship was one of the greatest achievements in his life but it paled to the birth of his daughter. Ivy Rebecca Cooper was now three months old and everyday, she took her old man’s breath away as did her mama. How did I get this lucky? His heart thundered at the thought sending a chill up his spine. He felt so grateful for all that he had.
Reese turned his attention as the door chimes clattered announcing a customer.
In the doorway, stood Lily dressed in a t-shirt and jean shorts, a car seat carrier hanging from her arm. “Sorry I’m late. Ivy took her jolly sweet time to eat.”
“No worries. I’m just glad you’re here.” Reese dropped the rag and crossed around the bar to her. He kissed her long and deep as he took the car seat from her.
“I miss those,” she moaned contently.
“I know. Me too. Buddy’s home from vacation in just a little bit. No more fourteen hour days for me. Once I get some decent sleep, I’m going to ask Rose to babysit. Then I’m going to practice making Cooper baby number two with you for hours. Maybe days.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“It does.” He led her to the bar. Setting the carrier on the counter, his fingers flew like lightning across the clasps until he freed his daughter and held her against his shoulder. “Hello, little love. Remember me? I was the guy you were talking to at three this morning.”
“Thank you for that,” Lily added. “I appreciated the extra sleep.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done while I worked these long hours. I appreciate you working with Oscar when I couldn’t. I’m glad I hired him as my manager.”
“Me too.” Lily wrapped her arms around him and Ivy. “I was happy to help. He understood. He’s not anxious to put the belt on the line while the champ is a new daddy deprived of sleep.”
The door of the bar swung open again, flooding the room with sunlight. Buddy stepped in, dragging his suitcases behind him. Even in the dim bar, he looked tan and relaxed. “Hey honey, I’m home!”
“About fucking time,” Reese joked.
“What? Did you miss me?”
“Not you. Jenny. Why did you let her go on vacation while you were gone?”
Buddy only shrugged in answer. “Guess who I saw at the airport? Connor Baker. And he was heading back to Vegas.”
“Seems we got him addicted to the place.”
“I would have thought he’d avoid the place after you left a trail of his blood across the Las Vegas International Airport floor.”
“He disrespected my bride. I just ‘encouraged’ him to apologize. For the record, I didn’t throw the first punch. He did.”
“You baited him.”
“I don’t deny it. But I didn’t strike first.”
They all laughed as Reese handed the baby to Lily. It was cut short as the door opened again.
Jenny bounced in, her brown ponytail swaying against her back. She too looked tan and relaxed.
Reese frowned.
“Buddy, your boxers ended up in my suitcase,” she cooed as she handed a wadded up ball of cloth to him.
“Thanks, beautiful.” Buddy pressed a kiss to Jenny’s lips.
“Wait,” Reese interrupted. “You two went fooling around on vacation together?”
“Not really fooling around,” Buddy defended. “We’re dating.”
“You—and my cousin. Not my cousin,” Reese moaned as he lowered his head onto his arms on the bar.
Lily rustled his hair affectionately as she giggled.
“Why not us? Can’t we find love in small town Iowa too, like you?” Buddy stared at him.
Reese lifted his head and cracked a grin. “Bar’s yours. I’m out. I’m gonna go snuggle with my girls for a while.” He gazed down at Lily, his love, his best friend, his every dream come true.
As the couple stepped out into the summer sun, Buddy shouted, “Where’d this picture of Ivy come from? It don’t belong in a damn bar! Take it down.”
Reese shouted back, “Doubtful. You’ll just have to get used to it!”
“Whatever,” Buddy grumbled.
Reese laughed with Lily as he wrapped his arms around the loves of his life.
Together, they wandered down the streets of Braden. It really was a small town. But with her by his side, it was home.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian and her three children – her sons, Jake and Jon, and her daughter, Alex. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations.
Along with writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, sews and is involved in many of her children's activities.
Other Books by Tricia Andersen
Black Irish (Black Irish Series #1)
Heartland (Black Irish Series #2)
The Troubles (Black Irish Series #3)
Trial By Fire (Black Irish Series #4)
The Assassin (Black Irish Series #5)
Family Ties (Black Irish Series #6)
Hard Drive (Hard Drive Series Prequel)
Breaking the Cycle (Hard Drive Series #1)
Breaking
the Silence (Hard Drive Series #2)
Breaking the Violence (Hard Drive Series #3)
Innocent ‘til Proven Guilty
Queen of Savon
The Thirteenth Knight
Welterweight (The Hallow Brothers Series #1)
Middleweight (The Hallow Brothers Series #2)
Heavyweight (The Hallow Brothers Series #3)
Corner (The Hallow Brothers Series #4)
Henry Davison – You Can Be What You Want To Be
Blood Lust (Gods of DC #1)