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“Shit,” he groans. “I’ll be out for the rest of the season.”
“Don’t worry about that right now,” I tell him, knowing how much that must be playing on his mind, hating the thought of letting down his team. “You need to heal first, and then we can sort out how you’re going to keep kicking ass.”
“Speaking of kicking ass,” he says before resting his eyes on mine. “You shot him?”
“Yeah,” I sigh before looking away, the reminder making my hands start to shake. “He’s apparently a few rooms down, but he has a police escort.”
“Are you alright?” he questions.
I look back at him and bite the inside of my cheek as I really think it over. “Um . . . Yes. No. I . . . I really don’t know. I haven’t really had a chance to think about it. All that mattered was getting to you and making sure you were alright.”
He gently shakes his head, everything he isn’t saying evident in the way he watches me. “I told you to run.”
My mouth drops and I gape at my husband before gripping his hand even tighter and leaning into him. “When I went back to Denver, I told you I was never going to run again. I’m sure as fuck not going to start now. You’re my person, Tank. If you’re going down, I’m going right down with you.”
Tank holds my stare, his eyes shining with overwhelming love. “Get your fucking ass over here and kiss me,” he demands.
Even straight after major surgery, he’s still a demanding asshat, but I can’t possibly resist. I climb up onto the hospital bed and gently wiggle my way in beside him, knowing he must be in excruciating pain. Though I know without a doubt that he isn’t going to mention it, and I know better than to ask.
Curling into his side, I look up at him as his arm wraps around my body, holding me tight against him as though he might just die without me. “I thought I was going to lose you,” I tell him as another tear streaks down my cheek.
“I know, baby,” he murmurs as his fingers trail up and down my arm, desperately trying to soothe me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I love you so much,” I tell him as I reach up and place my forehead against his.
“I love you, too, Sophie,” he tells me before inching forward and capturing my lips in his. “It’s you and me for the long haul. You, me, and our star shining down on us.”
I can’t help but smile, finally feeling my heart starting to settle before kissing him once again. I don’t have the whole world like I always wanted to have, and there’s always going to be a gaping hole in my chest. But as long as I have Tank at my side, I know I’m going to be okay.
“Tank?” I whisper, pulling back from his kiss, a soft smile playing on my lips. “I think we’re going to need a new house.”
“Hmm,” he agrees, trying to grin back at me but not having the energy to force it through. “Somewhere private and hidden away, with armed guards stationed at every entrance point twenty-four-seven.”
“Definitely,” I tell him. “Imagine all the new places we would have to christen.”
He groans low and I feel it rumble right through his chest. “Is that a challenge?”
I shake my head, grinning wide. “No, big guy. That's a fucking promise.”
EPILOGUE
SOPHIE
2 Years Later
I stand next to my brother on his wedding day, and I can’t believe this day is finally here. It feels like it’s been such a long time coming, and so far, it’s been absolutely beautiful. Though I would have preferred to have been in one of the shimmering golden dresses the bridesmaids are wearing rather than a black tux like the rest of the groom’s party, but I guess that’s what happens when you struggle to get along with the bride. On the other hand, Zac let me pimp out my tux, so I must admit, I look damn fine.
Standing here on this day, in my hometown between Zac and Tank, with my parents right before me, there’s truly nowhere else I’d rather be. The music begins just as Tank laces his fingers through mine.
It’s been a struggle these past few years. We barely survived all the Christian Baxter bullshit and then Tank was put out for the final two games of the season. Coach Larsden gave him another shot at being captain the following season, but it’s still a loss that hit Tank hard.
Not to mention, when we finally found ourselves ready to start trying for another baby, we were devastated all over again. Month after month the pregnancy tests would come back negative until we went to get me checked out. And once again, Christian Baxter had taken everything from me.
