AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He pulls back enough to scan my face. “Is that the only reason?”
I shake my head solemnly. “Because I can’t live another minute without you. Forgive me?”
“Already done.” Apparently he doesn’t care any more than I do who sees how elated we are to be together again. Euphoria slams me as his mouth crashes down on mine and he reminds me that I belong to him.
I’m going to kiss this man every day for the rest of my life. I’m going to tell him that I love him. And when I feel uncertain or scared, he’s going to tell me everything that’s in his heart. But I’ll never let him go again.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“I love you, too,” I assure him as I sniff back tears, then whisper for his ears only. “You’ll never have to wonder again if it’s true or if I’m ready to be with you. I do and I am. I called the firm that offered me the job in San Diego and turned them down. If you’ll have me, I’m staying in Hawaii. With you.”
He looks as if he’s struggling to keep the press conference macho enough for the sports crowd, but he’d rather be alone with me, telling me exactly how he feels with his words—and his body. “Thank god. Oh, baby… Yes.”
Noah’s face clouds over with that mixture of love and need that tells me if I don’t wrangle control of this situation, I might find my clothes flying off because he’s too eager to touch me to wait. In truth, I’m eager, too. But I don’t want an audience. I very much want to be alone with my husband so I can atone and worship him in every way he deserves.
“Hold that thought, big guy. Let’s make an announcement.”
“What do you think I should be saying to these eager reporters?”
I brush a kiss across his mouth again. “Why don’t you let me get you started? Take over when you’re ready.”
I don’t sayif. I know Noah will be able to speak and get his message across just fine.
He cocks his head, clearly intrigued as we stroll, hand in hand, to the front of the room, behind the podium. “You do that.”
Cliff shoots me a wary stare that says he’s waiting for me to tear his balls off. He should be. But I won’t…at least not today. No promises about tomorrow.
I give Noah’s hand one last squeeze, then step up to the mic. “Good afternoon, everyone. As some of you know, I’m Harlow Weston, Noah’s wife. He’s gathered you here this afternoon to let you know that he’ll be accepting a job to provide color commentary he was offered earlier this spring by Mr. Gus Chickman and his esteemed network. Noah will do a fantastic job, and he’s thrilled to be continuing to serve the sport he’s loved his whole life.” I send him another glance, and he beams back at me with pride, so I forge ahead. “I’m making the announcement for Noah to bring attention to an issue that doesn’t get the airtime it deserves. Too many players in this great game suffer concussive injuries and head trauma that can lead to lasting damage. I’m proud to tell you that my husband and I met because he hired me professionally as a speech therapist so he could accept Mr. Chickman’s offer with an open heart and an open conscience. He may occasionally struggle, and I ask that you be patient and remember that, unless you’ve had more than a handful of concussions, you can’t understand what he’s enduring. We’re hoping to use our platform to not only elevate the sport, but the wounded warriors who have played it bravely and paid a price they never anticipated. Noah and I are also thrilled to announce that we’re expecting our first child and now that the situation with Mercedes Fleet has been resolved, we’ll be taking an extended honeymoon before his exciting new job starts.” I turn to the man I love with all my heart. “Ready to take questions?”
The smile he turns my way is one I’ll never forget. He’s relieved to have his secret out. He’s grateful I did the heavy lifting, just in case anxiety tied his tongue in knots. Most of all, he feels blessed that we’re going to live the life we promised one another on our wedding day.
“Thank you, Harlow. I’d love to.” He squeezes my hand, takes a couple of calming breaths, and palms a foam ball he extracted from the back of the podium. “But first I have to thank my wife for her wisdom and all she’s done to support me, for the joy she’s given me, and for reminding me today of all the reasons I fell for her. Progress, not perfection.”
“Progress, not perfection,” I chime back, wanting to kiss this man more than I can ever remember. But he needs his moment in the spotlight, and I’m so happy he’s taking it.
The next forty minutes are a whirlwind of questions, and Noah answers them both perfectly and patiently. He sounds smooth and relaxed, joking with reporters—looking nothing like the fatigued, washed-up athlete he did before the press conference began. He oozes confidence and charm as he provides enough details about the role he’ll be playing with the network, the nature of his speech issues, some of the therapy we’ve been employing, as well as announcing that we’ll be starting a players’ assistance organization to give advice and direction in the event a player, current or former, needs help, direction, or an ear.
I’ve never been prouder of him.
The inevitable question about my parents’ arrests arises. He lets me field that with a vague answer that the investigation has just begun, no criminal charges have been filed yet, and that I know very little about the allegations because I haven’t been involved with my parents in quite some time and never with their business.
Finally, the rapid-fire queries slow, and Cliff steps in to end the press conference. With a wave, we clasp hands again and file into the back room, away from reporters’ prying eyes and his watchful agent.
“You came back to me. I’m so relieved.” He cups my face in his hands and searches my face for answers. “What changed your mind?”
“I realized I was an idiot.”
“You were afraid.”
I nod. “Of getting hurt. Of hurting you. Of how much I love you. So many things… Then I realized that I was hurting you anyway. All of my brothers talked to me, even Evan. Keeley came to my rescue with songs, and Britta gave me space when I needed it. These last two days, my family has been there. But something still felt missing, and that was you. I’m not whole without you. It’s hard for me to admit that.”
“I know. But your trust means so much to me.”
“You’ve done nothing to make me doubt you. It was all in my head. And I had to decide whether to make us both miserable or fulfilled for the rest of our lives.” I cock my head with a little grin. “I think I chose well.”
“I know you did. What shall we do now, Mrs. Weston? Go home and celebrate naked?”
“We’re awfully far from home. Isn’t this a hotel? Can’t we just get a room?”
