Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“What did he say?” I ask, lifting my head and wiping at my cheeks once more.
“He’s willing to walk away from all of it. The game, the team, the city, he doesn’t care as long as he still has you.”
I can’t help it. I smile through my tears. “I would never let him or ask him to do that, but I can hear him saying those words in my head.”
“I don’t think you could stop him, Corie. He’s hooked.”
“I feel the same way,” I tell him as the front door opens. Knox enters, carrying a couple of pizza boxes. He immediately sets them down and kneels in front of me.
“Why the tears?” He doesn’t give me time to answer before he turns to glare at my brother. “I told you to come and talk to her, not make her cry.”
“He didn’t.” I place my hand on his cheek, and his gaze is back on me. “It’s just emotional. I promise, it’s all good.”
“I hate your tears,” he mutters, wiping at my cheeks with his thumbs.
“Because you love me,” I say, smiling.
“I love the hell out of you, Corie girl.” He leans forward and kisses me softly.
“Ack!” Landry says, covering his eyes. “New rule. No kissing. In fact, no touching, not while I’m around.”
“Sorry, brother, no can do,” Knox tells him. “One day, you’ll have a woman reach into your chest and steal your heart. Only then will you know what it feels like to love someone more than anything else. You’ll understand that seeing her happy is all you want out of life.”
“I thought you said you wanted to change her last name,” Landry goads him.
“Oh, that’s happening. As soon as we settle all this shit with the team, making her a Beckett is at the top of my priority list.”
“You want to marry me?” I ask. I can feel my face pulling into a smile as my eyes once again well with more tears.
He stands and bends to kiss me. “Be right back.” He rushes down the hall, and I look at my brother.
“You know he has a ring, right?” he asks me.
“What? No, he doesn’t. That’s—we’ve never discussed getting married.” Even as I say the words, my heart is galloping, and I can barely control the giddiness I feel that Knox might really have a ring.
“You’ll see.”
“Did he tell you he was going to propose?” I ask, my heart thundering so hard I feel as though it might beat right out of my chest.
“He didn’t. He did say he wanted to marry you, but I know my best friend. Knox is steady. He’s honest, and he’s disciplined. Watch out when he sets his mind to something because there’s no stopping him. I can’t imagine he’ll be any different with you.” Landry gives me a soft smile.
“Thank you for accepting this. I love him so much, and I was so afraid that we were both going to lose you.”
“I wish you’d been honest with me, but I understand why you didn’t. Knox Beckett is one of the best men I’ve ever met. If it has to be someone who takes my little sister from me, I’m glad that it’s him.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He pulls me into a hug, and that’s how Knox finds us.
He takes a seat on the coffee table and keeps his eyes locked on my brother. “I love her with every ounce of my soul. I promise I’ll protect her and love her every day of forever.”
“I know you will,” Landry replies.
“As her brother, as her family, I’d like your permission to marry your sister. I need you to know that I'm still asking her, no matter what you say, but I’d love to know that we have your blessing.”
A sob falls from my lips, and Knox reaches out, offering me his hand, but he doesn’t take his eyes off my brother.
I’m crying, and the two most important people in my life, minus Sloane, are in the middle of a stare-off. I’m ready to say something… anything, when my brother thrusts his hand toward Knox.
“Welcome to the family, brother,” he says, and they shake, then stand and hug it out.
“Okay.” Knox sighs. “I’m going to need you to do one more thing for me in just a second.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his phone and taps at the screen. Whoever he’s calling, he places the call on speaker.
“Knox? Is Corie okay?” Sloane answers.
“She’s perfect.”
“Why are you video calling me, and why are you smiling like that?”
“Just watch.” He hands the phone to Landry. “Hold that for me.”
Landry takes the phone and spins it so he can see Sloane. “Pay close attention,” he tells her before moving the phone to the right angle.
“Corie, can you stand up for me, please?” Knox asks sweetly as he reaches into his front pocket, pulls out a small box, and drops to one knee.