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“They were black! I can’t believe you tried one!” Eli shoves at my chest, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of the shirt he stole from me.
“My boy made them. Of course I was going to try one.”
Eli rolls his eyes and shoves at me. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love with you.”
EPILOGUE
Asher
It’s been a crazy few months. After I came out on national television, it hit social media for a while, but another NFL player was arrested for drunk driving into a house the following week, and I became old news. Eli started taking pictures again. His camera collection is now like twenty cameras strong, and he sells framed pictures. He even got asked to do a gallery showing. It went amazingly.
The Thunderbolts won the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, and now the team is relaxing after a long season. I managed no major injuries and beat Aaron’s personal record for rushing yards. It was a good year for me.
Now, Eli and I are back on Black Diamond. He doesn’t know it yet, but it’s about to be more crowded. Aaron, Brit, and Jordan are here too, though Eli won’t see them until later. It’s all planned and ready to go. I’m nervous but excited for tonight.
On the beach at sunset, we sit with a dinner spread out on a blanket in the sand. It’s just us on this little section of the beach. It’s been fantastic to have this time with him. It’s our own little world. Nothing exists here but the island.
“What do you want to do in the off-season?” Eli asks, popping a bite of pineapple into his mouth.
“Get married.”
He chokes and coughs, looking at me like I’ve gone insane.
“What?” he wheezes between coughs.
“Get married,” I repeat. Inside my pocket is my mother’s pearl ring that I’ve been holding on to for this moment. I dig it out and rise to one knee. Eli’s eyes widen and his cheeks pinken with emotions. I love that I can still surprise him.
“I love you, Elliot. With everything I am.” I take his hand in mine, pulling him to stand with tears filling his eyes. “I want everyone to know that you are mine. Only mine. Our lives have been entangled since we were kids, and I will accept nothing less for the rest of our years. You’re the only one for me. Perfect.”
A sob escapes him, and he covers his mouth with his free hand.
“So, marry me, baby. Show everyone you’re mine and I’m yours.” I open the box, and he drops to his knees, quickly wrapping his arms around my neck, and crying into my shirt.
“Yes,” he forces out between sobs, and I smile into his curls.
I pull the ring from the box and take his hand in mine, sliding it on.
“Perfect fit,” I say before cupping his cheeks in my hands and kissing his trembling lips.
A loud whoop and a scream come from the bushes, and Eli jumps, spinning to see Jordan, Brit, and Aaron racing toward us. A huge smile splits my face, and I laugh when he looks back at me with wide eyes. Eli wipes at his face and stands.
“What did you do?” he demands as Jordan wraps her arms around him, shaking him in her excitement.
“Congratulations!” she shrieks as Aaron slaps my back in a hug.
“Dude! I get to be your best man, right?”
I slap his back, watching Eli show Jordan and Brit the ring. Brit gives him a quick hug and a congrats before wrapping themself around Jordan.
Aaron releases me, and I pull Eli into me, wrapping my arm around his shoulders.
“How’s tomorrow work for you?” I ask my fiancé.
“What?!” he yells at me, staring up at me in horror. “Tomorrow? Have you lost your mind?”
“Yes, tomorrow. And I’m only crazy about you.”
