I stayed quiet, studying him for any sign of anything other than reverence, but nothing changed.
“There isn’t a version of this where I walk away untouched,” he went on, thumb brushing slowly over my collarbone, my shoulder, my jaw. His touch was grounding when I thought I might float away. “You’ve rooted yourself in me. In places I didn’t even realize were empty.”
My throat tightened. I didn’t do rooted. I did controlled. Composed. Captain. I did strength and discipline and making sure no one saw the cracks. But that was feeling more like an old version of me.
This felt like someone pressing their palm over the center of my chest and sayingI see you. And I knew right then that I felt the same way. This man, the wildcard who I never pictured in my future, was solidifying himself into my life in ways I hadn’t thought possible. The press conference had been him choosing a version of his life that included me, us, and now I understood something I hadn’t before. Being with him didn’t make me weaker, no matter what any headlines might say. If anything, loving him made me stronger.
“Somewhere between you challenging me and you believing in me… you became the thing I think about when I picture my future,” he said with absolutely certainty.
I had spent most of my life planning mine alone. Not because I wanted to, but because it felt safer that way. Safer not to hinge it on someone else’s promises. But that wasn’t exactly right anymore either.
“You don’t just get to say things like that so casually,” I said, burying my face in his chest.
He shifted until I moved, then guided my face to his, finger crooked under my chin. “There’s nothing casual about falling in love with you, Teddy. It’s completely intentional.”
“Connor.” The air left my lungs in a rush.
“Before you say anything. I don’t just love you because you’re captain,” he added. “Or because you’re strong, or stubborn, or impossible to ignore.” A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “I love you because you let me see the parts you don’t show anyone else. I love the way you pretend you don’t need anyone, and then curl into me like you’ve been waiting to.” He paused to press a kiss to my forehead. “I love the way you fight for girls who don’t even know your name yet. I love that you challenge me instead of worship me.”
My heart beat so hard I could feel it all over.
“I’m not falling into this blindly,” he finished. “I know exactly who you are. And I want you, all of you. I’m in love with you, sunshine.”
My eyes were burning from the pressure of holding back my tears. This man was choosing to love me, and I was scared. But I was also hopeful and exhausted from being alone. I wanted to share my heart, my soul, and body with him.
“I think I’ve been holding myself together for so long that loving you feels like… like finally exhaling,” I admitted shakily.
“Exhale for me, sunshine. And I’ll inhale with you.”
50
Teddy
“If you’ve just joined us here in Solterra, you’re witnessing something extraordinary.”
“Listen to that noise.”
“You can feel it through the broadcast. Twenty-three thousand people packed into Valkyries Stadium tonight for the Women’s Elite Rugby Championship Final.”
“It’s another record for the league, Beth.”
“The Valkyries, captained by number seven, Teddy Sloane, have built their season on defensive dominance and breakdown control. The Opalites are a tough team to beat, but I think the Valkyries might just be lifting that silverware today.”
“History in the making. Stay with us.”
It comes in a wave that seems to travel through the structure of the building itself, through steel and concrete and into us, a deep, layered roar that swells and rolls until it feels as though it’s rumbling into our bodies.
Twenty-three thousand people expect us to play the game of our lives today.
I’d already done the speeches in the locker room; these women knew every single play we’d planned. I had trust in them, but it was more than that. I had a deep-seated knowledge that we were going to win.
I glanced down at the line as we waited to move.
Evie bounced on the balls of her feet. Lola rolled her shoulders. The rest of the girls were just as wired.
“Cap’s speech worked. I’m ready to ruin someone’s afternoon,” Delany said, flashing a grin. Laughter echoed around us, burning off any nerves.
“Fuck, I’m so nervous,” one of our rookies huffed out.
