AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is my fiancée, Ciara Sharp.”Fiancée? I turn to find the two men staring at me. Garrett has an intimate smile on his face while the other man stares at me like he’s examining the inside of my head.
“I’ve met Ciara.” Mr. Bausch holds out his hand for me, but Garrett steps between us before I can return his shake. “At the last game.” His smirk tells me he isn’t offended by Coach Hottie’s reaction. “Nice to see you.”
“You too.” My good manners kick in and override my slightly off-kilter mind.
“Thank you again for helping today,” Garrett tells the other man.
“When I heard the school board was going to entertain a complaint from Edna Hubbard over your relationship with Ciara, I cut out of my afternoon meeting to be here.” So that’s how Grady knew about the meeting. Maybe the teenager isn’t as bad as I’d originally thought. “I wanted to make sure nothing came of her unbelievably stupid complaint.”
“I owe you one,” Garrett insists.
Mr. Bausch gives a genuine smile. “The change I’ve seen in my son since you started coaching the team is payment enough. I’ll see you both at the game on Friday.” He smiles and walks away.
“Fiancée?” That word is still echoing through my mind on a continuous loop.
“That’s right.” Garrett pulls me into his arms and kisses me. I should be a little embarrassed, but I’m not. I’m happy our love is out in the open. “But not for long. I plan to make you my wife soon. Really fucking soon.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
NINE
GARRETT
"Todd knows about us,"Ciara announces as we stroll out of the school board meeting hand in hand.
"Yeah?" I glance down at her, not surprised. He's been throwing hints around for the last week, trying to get me to confess. I figured he knew what was up. It's not hard to see the way I look at his sister or the way she looks at me. Fuck, I'm surprised it took the school board this long to find out about us. We've been discreet, but I haven't exactly made a secret of the fact that I'm crazy about her.
I'm at the bar with her damn near every night, keeping two eyes on her. When we aren't at the bar, we're at my place or hers. I can't keep my hands off of her. We haven't ventured out as a couple, but when she comes to practice or games, my eyes are on her. Whenever she's close, I'm watching her. I can't help it. She owns me, body and soul.
I'd really like to know who the fuck told Edna Hubbard about us, though. The woman doesn't even have children, but she thinks she's the morality police. She spends more time in everyone else's business than she does tending to her own.
"He says he's known all along," Ciara says with a rueful laugh. "I guess we're not as sneaky as we thought."
"How does he feel about us?"
She stops beside her car, lifting her face to mine. "I was worried that he'd feel like I wouldn't have time for him anymore, but he's happy for us. He idolizes you, you know."
"You'll always have time for him," I murmur, cupping her cheek in my palm. He likes me, but I think everyone knows she's the one he idolizes. As far as he's concerned, his big sister walks on water. I happen to agree with him. "I'll make sure he knows that I'm not trying to steal you away from him. In fact, he and I need to have a conversation before I put a ring on your finger anyway."
"You do?"
"Mmhmm. Figured since your dad isn't here for me to ask permission, I should ask Todd."
"Garrett," she whispers, her expression melting as tears well in her eyes. "Don't you dare make me cry in front of your coworkers, all of these parents, and the school board!"
"You aren't allowed to cry, Cherry. I damn near had nightmares the last time you cried." It breaks my fucking heart to see tears rolling down her cheeks. I'm supposed to keep her smiling and happy. When she's glowing, I'm doing my job right.
"Then stop being the sweetest man I've ever met." She sniffles.
"I'm just doing right by you, Ciara." I run my thumb beneath her right eye, collecting the single tear that spills. "What kind of man would I be if I didn't ask your brother for permission to make you my wife? It's you and him against the world. I'm not just marrying you, Cherry. He'll be my family, too."
She sniffles again, flinging herself into my arms. "I love you so much."
I catch her against my chest, smiling into her hair. "I love you too."
Edna passes by, sniffing loudly in disdain.
I shoot her a dirty glare, daring her to say a single damn word. I don't care if she is an old lady. She'll show Ciara some respect, or she can kiss my ass. She passes by silently.
