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She leans over as if she’s about to tell me a secret. “Glamorous is overrated. Fun matters. Also, before he comes back, I just have to tell you that you and Hunter make a gorgeous couple.”
“Thanks.” I glance over to where Hunter is chatting with a man I recognize and then realize it’s a football player. And not just any player. Will Montgomery. “Oh, gosh. Will’s here! I’m so sorry, Vanessa, please excuse me.”
“Of course.”
I hurry over to the two men and grin when Will sees me.
“You’re here,” I say with excitement and am swept up in a big hug. “Where’s Meg?”
“In the bathroom. I wish they’d serve food at these things.”
I laugh and shake my head. Will is known as being the food lover of the family. He’s always hungry.
“I didn’t realize that you two knew each other,” Will says and raises an eyebrow at my date.
“We haven’t known each other long,” I reply and slip my hand into Hunter’s. “I thought for sure it would have made its way through the family gossip line by now because Jules and Nat helped me pick out this dress.”
“No one tells me anything,” Will says and grins when his wife joins him.
“Oh my God, Maeve,” Meg says and reaches out to hug me. “Holy shit, the girls were right. You’re stunning in this dress.”
“You knew?” Will demands.
“Yeah, and I told you. Twice. But you never listen to me.”
The lights dim, and Hunter squeezes my hand.
“We’d better grab our seats.”
“Will we see you at the after-party?” Meg asks.
“No,” Hunter says before I can reply. “We have other plans.”
“Girls’ night,” I remind Meg as we start to walk away. “As soon as possible.”
“I’m so there, girl.”
We make our way back to our seats, and I’m surprised to discover that a lot of what happens at awards shows is waiting. For commercials, for things to get set up. But it’s also fascinating and so much more exciting in person.
Will Montgomery, to my absolute shock, is hosting the show. I glance back at Meg, who just grins at me and sits back to enjoy Will’s fun banter and jokes. He’s handsome and funny, and perfect for the show.
“I have to go backstage,” Hunter whispers to me. “I’m presenting the next award.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
He kisses my cheek, and then he’s gone. Ten minutes later, he’s onstage to present the Kobe Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hunter is an amazingly good public speaker. He’s poised, his voice is clear, and he doesn’t seem to be nervous at all.
And when all is said and done, and he returns to his seat, Vanessa gives Hunter a long, tight hug.
“Thank you,” she murmurs to him.
“It’s my absolute honor,” Hunter replies.
Soon, the category of fighter of the year is introduced. I clasp Hunter’s hand and hold my breath until they announce Hunter Meyers as the winner.
He glances down at me, grins, and kisses me square on the mouth for the cameras to see before walking up on stage to accept the award.
“Thank you,” he says. “This means more than you know.”
He keeps it that simple and is escorted off the stage.
Another hour goes by before the last award of the evening, athlete of the year, is introduced.
Again, I take his hand and hold my breath.
“And the ESPY goes to…Hunter Meyers.”
Hunter looks genuinely surprised this time when he looks down at me, kisses me once more, and then climbs the steps of the stage to accept his award.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting this,” he admits when the applause dies down. “You know, I made the decision last year to retire from MMA because I have a daughter who needs me. I love this industry. It’s been a part of who I am for more than twenty years. But Rachel is my heart, so I have to thank her first for putting up with me. My parents are the best people in the world, and I couldn’t have had the career I did without their help and support.”
He swallows hard and then looks down at me. What in the world could he thank me for? I didn’t even know him when he was fighting.
“I’m starting a new chapter in my life, and sometimes new chapters can be scary. Even for brawlers like me. But there’s a woman with me tonight that has shifted my world for the better.”
He winks at me, and I grin back at him.
“Thank you, everyone, for this honor.”
He nods and is then escorted off the stage.
“Wow,” Vanessa says and grins at me. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The camera is still on me, so I just clap and smile, wishing we were already alone.
Chapter 10
~Maeve~
When we finally make our way back to the suite, I’m exhausted. Despite Hunter’s plans to skip out on the parties, we still had to stay and talk to people, and the press followed us, yelling questions all the way to the car.
