Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Once we’re both completely spent and our bodies are quiet and still, once Luca’s big body is slack on top of me and I’m a wet, satisfied noodle beneath him, we remain entangled and entwined for a long, romantic moment, cuddling, kissing, and whispering about how long we’ve waited to let the cat out of the bag.
Finally, Luca shifts his big body off me with a kiss to my cheek and slides onto his side next to me, his grin massive and his dimples popping. “Are you planning to tell your dad and brother about us at the very beginning of the party, or …?”
“No, once they’ve had a chance to relax a bit. I want them feeling loose and happy when I tell them.”
“You think I should wear a bulletproof vest to the party?”
“Not at all. Although you might want to have a shank at the ready, just in case.” When Luca doesn’t laugh with me, I touch his cheek reassuringly. “Whatever happens, it will be great. And you know why? Because it doesn’t matter what they think, in the end. All that matters is that I love you and you love me.”
He doesn’t look convinced.
“If you’re worried about my dad benching or trading you, please don’t. We’re well past him doing that to you now.” I think that’s an accurate statement, given the contracts in place and the complexities of league rules, not to mention the role of Bellamy and the operations side in managing the business of the team. But I don’t really know for sure what my father might do if he decides he’s pissed as hell with Luca for secretly messing with his daughter under his nose for all these months.
“No, I’m not worried about that,” Luca whispers. “I’m worried he’ll think I’m not good enough for you.”
I lift my head from my pillow and glower down at his gorgeous face in the moonlight. “Are you insane? You’re Luca Maguire, for fuck’s sake! Of course, you’re good enough for me! And if he doesn’t think so, then he’s stupid.” I mean what I’m saying, but that doesn’t mean I’m not nervous about how tomorrow’s big revelation will go. First, with my father and brother, but even more importantly, with the two biggest bigwigs at the Mastodons. I’ve committed an HR violation here, after all. And I’m not indispensable and protected by the players’ collective bargaining agreement, like Luca is. So, I think it’s distinctly possible tomorrow will mark the end of my time at the Mastodons. But so what if it does. I’ve come to realize I’d rather be forced to find a new job with another team—one with an analytics department, hopefully—and therefore get to be with Luca out in the open, as my boyfriend, even if we’re long-distance, than continue hiding my love for him for another day.
Luca’s Adam’s apple bobs. “Listen, if Bellamy tries to use this situation to finally get rid of you, I’ll protect you. I’ll refuse to play unless he—”
“No, no, Luca.” I roll my eyes.
“Yes, Chelsea. With my recent stats, I’ve got some leverage here.”
Man, does he ever. Through the last four games of the season, Luca’s stats have been off the charts—even better than Moriarty’s. In fact, Luca’s become such a cornerstone of our defense, Bellamy’s already told Luca they’ll be sending a fat, multiyear contract proposal to his agent next week.
We go back and forth for a bit, with Luca insisting he’ll do whatever it takes to protect me if any kind of shit hits the fan tomorrow night. But in the end, I simply snuggle up to him and coo, “Don’t worry so much about me. I’ll be fine. All I care about is getting to kiss you and hold your hand at the party once I’ve told everyone. As long as I get to do that, let the chips fall where they may.”
CHAPTER 40
Chelsea
LOUD MUSIC AND off-the-charts energy are bouncing off the walls of my parents’ large living room. For everyone here, this party has turned out to be the perfect finale to a fabulous day of events and activities honoring my father. Plus, for every Mastodon in attendance tonight, it’s also the perfect opportunity to celebrate the exhilarating finish to our season. For perennial playoff contenders like my brothers’ teams, an even-record finish might get a head coach fired. But for the Mastodons, our matching wins and losses felt like a massive step in the right direction, and it was all thanks to my father’s brilliant leadership.
The DJ switches up the track to a new one that instantly inspires everyone on the dance floor, including Luca, Daisy, Nate, and me, to dance and sing along with gusto. The song is Aloha Carmichael’s ubiquitous girl-power anthem, “Pretty Girl,” which anyone not living under a rock knows by now, even if it’s only against their will. And the sight of Luca and Nate singing and dancing so effusively to it makes Daisy and me practically buckle over with laughter.