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It sends a thrill through my body. I never thought someone would be so proud to be with me. Ryder is open with the PDA, and I'm starting to really enjoy it.
“She took pity on me,” Ryder says while I blush.
Ryder turns me with him as two men walk up. Geez. What is in the water here? These men are hot with a capital H. One is older, dusty brown hair that’s a little longer than fashionable with the haircut he’s rocking, but it looks really good on him. The other is a tall, built Black man that looks like he belongs on the cover of GQ.
“Tillie, this is Slater and Green,” Ryder says.
“Slater is mine,” Mary sighs out. “For some reason.”
“Will you quit busting my balls, Ace?”
“Nah, it’s too much fun,” Mary jokes and Slater rolls his eyes. Seriously, he shouldn’t play baseball. He should be a model. If men had a Victoria’s Secret Model show, then he should be one.
“Hey Tillie, I’m Green Lucas. Coach to these jerks, brother to Mary, and the gorgeous redhead is my wife. Don’t ask me how I got so lucky to land her. I have no idea, I’m just thankful.”
“Weird, I think you found me quite forgettable at first,” Kage says softly.
“I was a stupid fool,” he practically purrs.
“How long are you in town?” Green asks as Slater slides up to Mary, putting his hand on her belly. The tender moment nearly makes me swoon. I don’t know how Mary remains standing.
“She's here for a week,” Ryder answers for me. “I wish it were for longer, though.” He's talking to Green but looks at me as he says it.
“Then you'll be here Saturday,” Green replies, nodding. I'm suddenly lost, having no clue what they are talking about. “Bring Tillie to Mom’s farm so we can celebrate my mother not going to prison and getting off with just a hand slap.”
“Prison?” I gasp. I didn't expect that.
“Yeah, but Mom's harmless, I swear,” Green says, holding his hands up.
Mary and Kage cackle. “Ida Sue will never be harmless,” Kage says pointedly.
“Amen, sister,” Mary adds.
I look up at Ryder, and he winks at me. As I stare up into his handsome face, I know that I don't care if Ida Sue is a murderer. I'd go anywhere with him just to see that look on his face.
The moment goes by too quickly as a reporter—advertised by the press badge and camera—walks up. “Coach Green, how about a picture for our story?”
“Sure, just take it now with me surrounded by my family,” he says, angling himself toward the camera.
Ryder and I start to step back, but Coach Green turns to look at us. “Oh no, if I have to be on camera, you guys will be too. Besides, with Kage, Mary, and Tillie in the picture, their pretty faces will make me look better.”
We all break out in laughter. Ryder leans down, kissing me just as the camera clicks and I relax into him.
That’s the exact moment that it hits me. It slams into me with a surety that I’ve never felt in my life before. I will love Ryder Monroe until the day I die. That love will go with me into whatever world comes next.
Tillie
“Fuck, it feels good having you with me, Buttons.”
“I’ve missed you, too, honey,” I tell him, my heart squeezing in my chest.
I’ve been in Texas for almost the full week and the days have flown by too quickly. I have to go back Sunday, which means I have tonight, tomorrow, and tomorrow night.That’s it.The reality of that makes me ache. I close my eyes and continue listening to his heart beating under my ear. We’re in his apartment, which is nice enough. It definitely needs a woman’s touch, but I’m glad it doesn’t have one—for obvious reasons.
“I know you’re not ready to talk about it, but I need it said so you know where I’m at. I want you with me permanently, Buttons.”
“What?” I ask, shocked, excited, and more than a little scared.
“I want you to move out here, Tillie,” he says firmly. Giving me an extra squeeze, his breath fanning my hair.
