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A battering ram, clearing the way for Dec behind me.
A shield for my QB before he launches himself into the end zone, and we score the final touchdown of the game. With just enough time, we line up for the final play, and our kicker gets us one point, putting us six points up on Baltimore.
Another win for the Kings.
BRANDON
“You heading over to Nonna’s?” Declan asks as I grab my bag from my locker. “Sam shut the place down for the night.”
“First I’m hearing about it. Is the whole team going?” I haven’t had time to fill Declan in on everything that’s going on with Ashlyn, and I’m not about to discuss it here. I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to go to a big party right now, even if itisat a restaurant Sam owns.
“Nah, man. Pretty sure it’s just the Kingstons and my family. Amelia was excited to get everyone together for a change. Murphy and Brady got permission from the Sentinels management to stay here instead of flying home with the team. My sister and brother are both going with their families. Murphy and his wife will be there. All the kids. You know how Amelia gets. She lives for this stuff.”
“I’ll check with Ashlyn and probably see you there.” I slap his back and head out of the locker room, not expecting Ashlyn to be standing right there, next to Dean.
She throws herself in my arms as soon as I’m close enough, and I drop my bag and catch her. With one hand around her waist, I move until my other hand is flat against the wall and drink her in. Feeling her. Touching her. Fuck. This is what I wanted after that game. “Hey, baby.”
“Oh my God. You were fantastic out there today.” She plants her lips on mine, and it’s sunshine and goddamned roses. This woman...My woman.
“I’m glad you liked it.” I breathe her in for a minute, then another. “Where’s shortcake?”
“She already went over to Nonna’s with Easton and Kenzie and Marco. I told them we’d meet them there.” She scrunches her face up, probably thinking I don’t know about Nonna’s. “Oh, by the way,” she smiles a little extra cute. “Sam closed the restaurant down for the night, and they’re throwing a dinner for everyone. I made Amelia promise this has nothing to do with our engagement, and she swears it doesn’t. I think it’s because Declan’s family is in town. You know they’re her other family. Bash’s too. You don’t mind, do you?”
I shake my head slowly.
Do I really want to spend the rest of the day in a room full of people?
Hell no.
But it’s obvious she does, and I’ll do anything to make her happy.
“Nah, I don’t mind.” I look over at Dean. “You coming to dinner, man?”
“Fuck yes, I am. Sam’s place is probably the safest place in the city, and I’m starving,” Dean admits. “But I’d really like to get the fuck out of here and get my gun, so could we please go? I feel fucking naked.”
“I’m sorry,” Ashlyn tells him, and I fucking glare.
“It’s not your fault, Ashlyn. But I’ll be happy when we leave.”
I wrap and arm around Ashlyn and grab my bag from the floor. “Let’s get out of here, baby.”
* * *
It’s actually a nice night. Sam closed the place to the public, and we’re all scattered throughout the dining room. Ashlyn and Lindy have been smiling the entire time, and after yesterday, I’ll take anything that can put those smiles on their faces.
I sit at the back of the room, nursing the same beer I’ve been drinking for an hour, just watching them. Feeling so fucking grateful.
“That was a good game today, Dix.” Aiden Murphy sits down next to me and hands me a cold beer. Guess he’s been paying attention. “You got lucky though.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it, fucker.” I tap my beer to his and sit back, catching my woman smile as she shows Carys Sinclair and Chloe Ryan her engagement ring.
Wonder if she’s telling Chloe she was jealous of her the night of the blackout.
“I hear you’re engaged to Ashlyn Kingston. Congrats, man.”
“Thanks.” Two identical little boys run by, followed by a tiny girl, and I hear Carys yell. “They Carys and Cooper’s kids?”
“Yeah. All three.” Murph chuckles. “Lincoln and Lochlan are twins. Lexie was born the same day as the boys, and Coop and Carys adopted her.”
