Swooning over the Football Billionaire Groom (Sweet, Christian Football Bad Boy Romance Series Book 1)

by Ellie Hall

  At least Xavier had the decency to ask her about herself. Early on in their relationship, he was all about her and then when she told him about her business idea for the mobile cupcakery he was fully onboard—probably seeing dollar signs. Over time, she recalled that the conversations usually centered around him. Apparently, he was unable to wait for her to finish chewing and launched into an account of what had been going on in his life—true to form.

  She shook her head and then continued to enjoy her cupcake as he rattled on about his various schemes at making money. The latest was a football tailgate service to bring fans some kind of spice condiment she’d never heard of.

  Then she realized Xavier must’ve seen her online with Declan and was looking for her to make an introduction to the football player. She hadn’t gone online in days, fearing what she’d see, but they’d definitely been all over the internet. She had no doubt her parents were having a field day, splashing her photos and foibles all over the place for everyone to see. She could imagine the headlines. Cinderella over the moon for football star who left her before half-time.

  Maggie brushed the crumbs from her hands. “Good luck with your business, Xavier. When you start rolling in the dough, or spice, as it were, remember you owe me—” She’d never forget the amount of the van because it had been all her savings, but she was adding interest. “You owe me thirty-four thousand dollars and fifty cents.”

  His brows pinched together. “What?”

  “For taking off with the van I’d invested my life savings in to create a mobile cupcake shop.”

  “I wouldn’t think you’d need that now that you’re—”

  “Now that I’m back here, without a place to live, and with my heart—” She stopped herself from saying more. She didn’t owe Xavier an explanation and he was the last person she wanted to talk to, but the whole situation weighed heavily on her.

  “So you’re not with Declan?” The wrinkles in his forehead grew deeper.

  She shook her head and wiped her eyes.

  “But the internet said—”

  “The internet needs to get a life,” she spat. “My parents can spew whatever lies they want about him, but I know the truth. Declan is a good man. He’s had tough times and came through them, stronger and better than most people would’ve.”

  Xavier leaned on the back of the chair. “Maggie, I hate to say this, but your parents agree.”

  “What?” she asked, echoing his previous question.

  She tore her phone from her pocket and brought up the search engine. Sure enough, there were numerous articles and posts about Declan, where and how he grew up, the trouble he’d gotten into, and the incident with the O’Malley’s, but it painted him as a hero—because he was. He’d made a huge donation to an organization to help at-risk youths. She scanned the article and at the bottom, next to a photo of Maggie’s parents, was a text box that read We hope you like our new segment about Hunks, Honeys, and Heroes. Real-life stories of celebrities who’ve defied the odds and do good in the world. Dedicated to our daughter Maggie.

  The sounds in the bakery faded as Maggie sat, stunned by what she’d read. “Wow,” she whispered.

  Xavier’s voice came back to her. “So, do you think you could introduce us? I’m guessing number thirty-two will love our spiced pickled egg relish.”

  Maggie squished up her nose and shook her head. Then again, he did like pickles and peanut butter. The density of the burden lifted and the light of forgiveness toward her parents entered her heart. But that didn’t mean she was over the debt Xavier owed her. She still had to find a place to live, a new job, and had bills to pay. “Xavier, number thirty-two aka Declan Woods thinks that you’re a real,” she whispered the unpleasant words in his ear so she didn’t disturb the other customers. But saying the football player’s name twisted her stomach in knots. She missed him and considering what Xavier was up to, she didn’t regret using the Boston Bruiser’s clout against her ex.

  “I, uh—Declan Woods? You told him about me, us?”

  “The van,” she clarified. “Of course, I did. You dashed my dreams. Left me high and dry.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. It felt good to finally face him and tell him how he’d hurt her.

  “So you’re not going to see if the team would endorse my condiment truck?”

  She sighed in exasperation. She shouldn’t expect a guy like him to apologize. “Absolutely not.”

  If Maggie were truly vindictive, she’d have her parents claim his products had caused food poisoning or something disastrous and splash the breaking news online. Instead, she got up and said, “Good luck, Xavier. I hope you have great success and I expect that check soon.”

  She strode from the bakery, feeling like she had a little taste of justice—it was faintly like a strawberry velvet cupcake. However, it was doubtful she’d ever see that money, but perhaps Xavier would surprise her.

  While riding the bus back to the apartment, Maggie reviewed the VJ Media story. Her parents were like sharks. They were lured by blood—stories of death, loss, and destruction. What had made them change course, publish something that painted Declan in a positive light instead of Mrs. O’Malley’s account, and then dedicated the story to her?

  As the bus stopped and heaved a sigh, she realized she held the answer in her hand. When she’d switched her phone and Declan’s, there was a call from her parents. Had they called and he answered or had Declan called them and they’d gotten back to him? Whatever had happened, it came out positively in the end and that was all she could hope for. In fact, Declan’s story, as dark as it had been, was one of hope. He’d overcome the odds that he would’ve turned out exactly like Cole. Declan had been afraid to tell anyone the truth about his past, but it was powerful and showed the resiliency of the human spirit, the community that consisted of his aunt, trainers, coaches and team, and faith. Her parents of all people had been the ones to share it.

  Tears filled Maggie’s eyes. She may not get her happy ending with Declan, but maybe because of him, other people—teens like he’d been, those who thought there might not be a way out of difficult circumstances—would find the strength in his story to move forward.

  Buoyed until she returned to the apartment, Maggie promptly fell onto the couch because the reality was, she was homeless, jobless, and loveless.

  Haleigh had offered Maggie stay until she got back on her feet, but she laid there, wishing she to be part of the second half of Declan’s story. She probably ought to go to Concordia or someplace else where she could be anonymous. His idea to sail around the world on his yacht sounded tempting. But there was no way they could ever be together. He’d been courageous telling her the story about his past. It didn’t worry her and she wasn’t afraid. He’d told her to trust him and he hadn’t trusted her with the singular thing that probably influenced and hurt him more than anything made her feel small, alone.

  She moaned, feeling like she’d crash-landed. In the last days, Haleigh had sat with Maggie for hours, listening, sharing her insight, and supporting her friend, but she just couldn’t bring herself to move. She couldn’t imagine how she’d get on with her life or where to go. She was utterly alone.

  The door flew open and Nadia breezed in and quickly shuffled bags, boxes, and other items around. She was in a frenzy, shoving things in Haleigh’s room, tossing clothing and shoes in the closet. She stuffed stacks of magazines under the couch. Her long, lacquered nails flashed.

  Maggie blinked a few times and then said, “What are you doing?”

  Nadia startled. “I didn’t see you there. You’re heaped under that ratty blanket.”

  “Do you need help cleaning up?”

  “Oh, no, honey. You just keep laying there wallowing. Don’t mind me. I just have a player for the Miami Riptide coming over.”

  “Are you still dating Nathan?”

  Nadia nodded. “I think things are getting serious. He wanted to come to see my lair.” She cackled.

  Maggie almost crac
ked a smile. “Have you heard from Katerina?” she asked.

  “No, she’s dealing with a football player of her own.”

  Maggie gasped. “The headmistress and Wolf, her pupil?” She’d gotten the sense they’d despised each other.

  Nadia shrugged and then smoothed her hair. “How do I look?”

  “Gorgeous. As ever. Nadia, you could go through a hurricane and you’d look as fresh as spring rain.”

  “It’s these Kuznetsova genes. Okay, lights, camera, action.” She turned to Maggie and winked. “You might want to freshen up too.” She strode to the door just as a knock sounded.

  Without warning, several burly guys strode in. The one in the front was wearing the turquoise and yellow colors of the Riptide, but the others were in Boston Bruiser’s black and blue. They picked up the couch on all sides and then hefted it, with Maggie still on top, before marching out of the apartment.

  “What is going on?” she asked as she struggled to sit up, being careful not to fall on the floor.

  Carrying her like some misfit princess, the football players paraded down the hall and outside. They set the couch down in the courtyard at the same time a black dot filled the sky.

  Just then, Haleigh and Nadia sat down beside her with the football players at their backs. Everyone looked up.

  The dot got closer and Maggie realized it was a man descending in a parachute. At last, Declan landed in the courtyard. One of the guys whistled and everyone hooted and clapped.

  She scrambled up from the couch and rushed over to him. “What—?”

  “There was a problem with the airstrip and I couldn’t get clearance to land.” He unclipped the harness and enveloped her in a hug.

  She sunk into him, never wanting to let go.

  “I couldn’t let another day pass not seeing you. My only choice was to take the leap, the risk, and hope you welcomed me back into your arms. I had the guys here and with Nadia and Haleigh’s help get you outside on the fly.” Declan gestured.

  “And you have to get to LA,” one of the other Boston Bruisers hollered.

  “And that. Will you come with me?” Declan asked windswept and out of breath.

  “To Los Angeles?”

  The air was still but everything was happening so fast it was like high-speed winds had blown into town and turned Maggie’s world upside down.

  “Please. I won’t ever give up on myself or us again.” He told her how he’d forgiven himself for the past and tried to make it right by talking to her parents so they’d have a shot at a future together.

  A smile crested from her heart and reached her eyes. “I won’t give up on us again either. Ride or die, but I refuse to jump out of a plane.”

  He laughed then angled her chin to face him and leaned in. His gaze dipped to her lips. The flurry of the last minutes slowed, her surroundings blurred. The past dissolved. All that mattered was right then. Declan’s hand cupped the back of her neck as he drew them together. Their lips met.

  Maggie had never jumped out of an airplane but imagined the swooping and diving from the bluebirds in her belly were a lot like the thrill of flying through the sky.

  Her heart rushed as his pounded against hers.

  She melted inside as he deepened the kiss.

  Their elbows bent and their fingers laced together. She squeezed tight.

  She no longer felt alone but connected. To Declan, to their future.

  Another round of cheering came from the friends and football players gathered. The next minutes were a matter of Haleigh and Nadia getting Maggie packed up and ferried off to the airport where the private plane waited for the next leg of the trip.

  During the flight, Declan caught her up on everything that had happened since they’d parted in Ireland.

  “Thank you for talking to my coach. He can be an intimidating guy.”

  “Thank you for talking to my parents. They terrify me.”

  “So you’re not mad?” he asked.

  “I was hurt that you didn’t tell me about Cole and Siobhan, but I also understand you were trying to protect yourself. Just like I’ve been doing since I distanced myself from my parents, never letting anyone get too close. It was almost like it was easier to be alone. But not really.”

  He nodded in understanding then told her about his ultimatum and the donation.

  “I guess some things don’t change. I thought maybe they’d done that out of a sense of goodness.”

  “I didn’t put them up to the dedication. That was all them. But I understand how the past may have hurt you and I won’t keep anything else from you, Maggie.”

  “No more secrets?” she asked.

  “None. No more omissions?”

  She shook her head. “We have a long flight ahead of us. Let’s tell each other everything.”

  “We might need longer than that.”

  “Who goes first?” She made a fist and shook her hand up and down, signifying they do rock-paper-scissors. “Best two out of three.”

  Maggie won. “What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?” she asked.

  “Oh, this is easy. Aunt Sheila came back from a flight to...I forget where. She had this thing called a hundred-year-old egg.” He made a gagging face. “It was as disgusting as you’d imagine.”

  He definitely wouldn’t be interested in Xavier’s pickled egg relish in that case.

  They chatted for the rest of the transcontinental flight, talking about life, their hopes, plans, and more.

  “So, when we get to LA, I have a lot of training to do, but I will spend every other second with you. I didn’t want you to get bored though, so on the flight from Dublin to Florida, I set up a cupcake crawl for you.”

  “A cupcake what?”

  He pulled out a piece of paper and a sketch. “In Ireland and cities like Boston, there’s a thing called a pub crawl where people go from pub to pub. So I thought you could do the same, but with cupcakes. I mapped out every café, bakery, and restaurant in the city that sells cupcakes. I figured you could visit each one, try out their offerings, write up a review, create a blog, or just do research for fun.”

  “Really? This is kind of the coolest thing ever. I’m bursting with ideas already.”

  Declan smiled. “That was what I was hoping for. Even though I have a demanding job and like it or not, I will be in the limelight a little, I want to be with you the most. I’ll do anything to make that happen. But I also think it’s important for you to follow your dreams wherever they lead.”

  She nuzzled close to him, surveying the list of cupcakeries and the map. “I know where my heart leads, Declan. To you.” She kissed him on the cheek and he turned to her, kissing her fully on the lips.

  The plane cruised toward Los Angeles. The sun had set and instead of the stars glittering above, the city shone below. Their kiss deepened but all the lights on the ground or all the stars in the sky couldn’t have made Maggie feel more electric, more plugged in and connected than she did just then.

  “I love you, Maggie,” Declan said.

  “I love you too,” she answered.

  A few days had passed. Declan had numerous meetings and his training while Maggie happily toured the city, the beach, and the sites while sampling a couple of cupcakes each day.

  She’d also received her check from Blancbourg and an offer to keep her job if she still wanted it. Because she and the other coaches had worked for a month straight, they also had a couple of weeks off. She took the time, hoping to figure out her next steps. Could she and Declan have a long-distance relationship? Could she come up with a job where she could work in Boston and Los Angeles or create a job where she managed her own hours so she could travel with him when possible? She had a lot to think about and the city’s energy and the cupcakes were definitely helping to provide her with inspiration.

  However, her parents hadn’t replied to her email. She avoided visiting their office. Likely, they weren’t there anyway but she felt at peace after reading the article and dedicati
on. Apparently, they had another Hunks, Honeys, and Heroes story coming out about a guy who was doing work to help clean up the trash in the ocean.

  Although Declan had made a list of cupcake shops and bakeries, on her excursions, she’d added more to her list. At that rate, it would take her a few years to sample all the amazing spots. She worried that the market was saturated and opening a bakery of her own wasn’t a good idea. Plus, it would tie her down to a location. And if she were trying to spend time with Declan given his busy schedule, especially during the football season, how could she manage a bakery? Maybe she liked eating cupcakes more than baking them.

  As she sat at an outdoor table on a sunny day, the idea came to her. In fact, she’d partially credit Declan with it. She’d create a website, broken down into regions and cities, that highlighted not-to-miss bakeries. Of course, she’d focus on cupcakes, but wherever she went, she could feature the local spots and create guides for people who loved all things cake as much as she did.

  Buzzing with excitement, she called Declan and told him all the details.

  “That’s fantastic. You know, there’s this one place that I’ve been meaning to tell you about. I’m done here in a half-hour. We can go together. Will you come meet me?”

  “Sure.” That was the thing about cakes and cupcakes. They were best when shared. She thought of Haleigh and Nadia—true friends.

  When Maggie met Declan a short time later, they got in his matte black Cadillac and headed for the freeway.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. When Nadia came in, followed by her boyfriend and the guys from your team, I’d have assumed you all would be bitter rivals. It seemed like Nathan was helping out.”

  Declan changed lanes. “You weren’t answering your phone. I didn’t know how to find you. Then I remembered you’d said how you got the job at Blancbourg. Your friend’s roommate hooked it up because she was related to the headmistress. I got in touch with Katerina, who gave me Nadia’s number. I talked to her and Maggie. I was just going to show up at the apartment with flowers and cupcakes, but then there was a problem landing and we had to wait for an available runway. I guess a storm had rerouted a bunch of other flights from another city. I couldn’t bear another minute.”