Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
“In your head!” She props a hand on her hip then inspects the wound again. “I’m staying with you tonight.”
Quinn glances past Lovey, to where a guy leans against the wall, looking hella uncomfortable. Quinn arches a brow. “Really? You and your boyfriend are going to stay in my hotel room with me?”
“He can drive home. I’ll just stay.” She bites her lips together.
He says nothing, just continues with the arched brow.
“I’m worried about you.”
“I have a whole team of guys who will make sure I’m fine. But thanks for coming to the game. I’m sorry we can’t hang out.”
“We’ll make plans in the offseason.” She fiddles with the lapel on his suit jacket.
“Lovey, babydoll, we should go,” the boyfriend calls out.
Quinn’s nostrils flare.
Lovey sighs. “Text me tomorrow so I know you’re okay.” She hugs Quinn, and he makes awkward eye contact with the irritated boyfriend.
They leave and Quinn rubs the back of his neck. “I fucking hate that guy.”
“I thought you two were maybe a thing,” Connor says.
“No, man. We’ve been friends our entire lives.”
“I’ve known Bea my entire life,” Tristan points out.
“Maybe she’ll break up with the loser,” Dallas says helpfully.
“One can only hope. Anyway, I need a couple painkillers and a bed.”
“I can’t wait to sleep in my own tomorrow,” Ash says with a sigh.
“I can’t wait to sleep beside my wife,” Tristan adds.
“Same, and to hug my kids,” Connor agrees.
I can’t wait to see my girlfriend, hit unpause, and tell her exactly how I feel.
CHAPTER 58
FLIP
Tally,
Tonight’s the night.
I get to see you perform.
I get to hug you and kiss you and feel your warmth.
I get to tell you all the things I’ve been afraid to say.
When I think about what the future looks like, it’s full of you.
I love waking up next to you and I’m excited for the moment you decide you’re ready to move in with me. While I wait for that day to come, I’ll keep filling drawers with clothes for you. I want the comfort of domestic bliss. I want to find your hair ties all over the place, and your dance tights drying on the rack in the laundry room.
I’m already thinking about how I’ll propose, when and where and the kind of ring I’ll buy.
I want a family with you, Tally.
I want kids, at least two, but more if we think we can handle it.
Before we get married and have a family, I want time with just you. I want to watch you grow in your career. I want vacations together, travel to new places, but also to build our own cottage on the lake so we can escape up there and fulfill fantasies and just have time and space to love each other. And we’ll invite our friends too, but half of them already have cottages in Muskoka, so it won’t be hard to find privacy.
It’s not just the big moments I’m looking forward to.
It’s not just all the firsts, although I’ve loved having so many of those with you.
It’s the little things, too.
I want to make all our favorite meals together.
I want to go on adventures.
I want to take care of you when you’re sick.
I want to grow old with you.
I want sunsets on porch swings and sleepovers with our grandkids.
I want a life with you.
I want to love you every single day for the rest of my life.
Always yours,
Phillip
Istick the photo my sister took when we were playing the floor is lava on the page beside the letter, then tuck the journal into my breast pocket, grab the flowers from the passenger seat, and head into the theater.
My teammates, their wives and girlfriends, and Tally’s Tilton friends are all in the bar, enjoying a pre-showcase cocktail.
“There you are!” Rix flits over and throws her arms around me and murmurs, “I was getting worried.” She pulls back and takes in the flowers. “Oh, those are stunning.”
“They’re all her favorites.”
“She’ll love them, and the journal.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
She smiles up at me. “I’m really proud of you. I hope you know that.”
“Thanks, sis. That means a lot.” I turn to Fee, Cammie, and Enid. “How’s she doing?”
“Excited,” Cammie says.
“A little nervous, but her dress rehearsal went well yesterday, so she was feeling good about things this afternoon,” Fee adds.
“We had to take her dropjes away, so she wasn’t retaining two pounds of fluid from all the salt.” Enid makes a face. “But you probably didn’t need to know that.”
“She wake up with lines on her face?” I ask.
“Like two days ago. Hence the confiscating.” Enid opens her clutch and shows me the evidence. “I promised I’d have them for her after the performance.”
“I have a bunch waiting at my place for her, too.”
Enid grins. “Of course you do.”
They give us the fifteen-minute warning over the PA and we file into the theater and claim our seats. I secured us tickets in the first two rows, so we have an unobstructed view. Tally’s parents and brother and sister are already seated when we arrive.