Playing Dirty: Rules of the Game Book Five

by Tharp, Emma

  “Believe it, dude. You live together, spend every moment possible together. You’re kissy-kissy all the time. Seriously, it’s enough to make me want to vomit with how cutesy the two of you are.” He points his finger near his throat and acts like he’s going to gag himself.

  This time I laugh because Hudson is funny. And he’s helping me relax. “Thanks.”

  “What I’m trying to tell you is that you make my sister happy, and I approve, but if I don’t get back out there and take the burgers off, they’re going to be charred.” He swats me on the shoulder on his way out. “Take as much time in here as you need to cool down, you look like you need it.”

  The house is cool and quiet. I take a few calming breaths before I make my way back outside. Hudson is right. I’ve got no reason to believe that Chloe would say no to a proposal from me. She first told me that she loved me a few months after we got together. I’d been telling her daily—and I wasn’t saying it so I’d hear it back, but because I wanted to. No, I needed her to know how much she meant to me. Chloe means the world to me and if she says yes today, I’ll spend the rest of my life showing her how much.

  I go back outside and find Chloe by the edge of the pool, throwing Clark, her giggling nephew, flailing into the water. My heart swells with love for her. She’s great with children and I know someday she’s going to be an amazing mom to our kids.

  Taking my seat at the picnic table across from Chloe’s dad, I give him a conspiratorial grin. He knows I’m asking his daughter to marry me tonight. “Beautiful day today, isn’t it?” He lifts his beer in salute.

  “Sure is.” I pick at the label on my water bottle and rip it into little pieces. My nerves are definitely getting to me. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to wait much longer.

  “You have to train at all this weekend?” Charles asks.

  “No, we had a team skate yesterday and we’ll get back to both off ice and on ice training four times a week for the rest of the summer.” Even though it’s the off season, we still work hard to stay in shape. There are always younger, stronger players out there ready to take your spot on the team if you’re not in shape and performing.

  “Maybe we can golf next weekend? I can set up a time for you, me, and Hudson to play a quick nine.”

  “That’d be great. Set it up and let me know our tee time.” I’m still in awe of how great Chloe’s family is. They’ve really accepted me with open arms.

  Chloe makes her way back to the picnic table, her red blouse and black shorts clinging to her body and dotted with splashes of water. Her skin is tan and she’s got that glow she gets when she’s spent time with her family. She’s absolutely beautiful. And I want to make her mine for the rest of our lives.

  She sits down and puts her hand on my leg, a little too close to the ring box. I quickly grab her hand and kiss it. “You okay today?” She leans in and whispers in my ear, and when her fresh lilac scent hits my nose, I breathe her in.

  “I’m doing great, better than great.” I stare at her gorgeous face, smiling at me and I know I’ve got to do it now. I can’t wait another minute.

  Dropping to my knee in front of her, I reach in my pocket and pull out the box and open it.

  Her deep blue eyes widen and her hands fly to her chest.

  “Chloe Williams, I had big plans for you today. After the barbeque, I was going to drive you to the beach because I know it’s your favorite place to go on a Saturday afternoon. And later, we’ve got reservations at Wine and Filet. I rented out the entire restaurant tonight. And when the crème brûlée was served at the end of the meal, I was going to ask you to marry me then. The problem with that plan is I’d have to wait all day to ask you, and I can’t wait another second.” I pause and swallow past the lump forming in my throat. A tear runs down her cheek.

  “I am so in love with you.” Damn. I can hear the tremor in my voice. I was hoping to get through this without losing it. I grip her hand in mine like it’s a lifeline anchoring me to the here and now. “Redemption. It’s not a word I’ve ever really considered until I met you. But you make me want to be a better man. For you and for me. I’ve got you to thank for helping me get here, to where I am today.”

  “Oh, baby.” Chloe’s got big tears rolling down her cheeks now.

  “Will you do me the honor of marrying me? I want to spend every day of my life making you happy and caring for you.” And even though Hudson tried to give me a pep talk, my heart is pounding like a jackhammer in my chest. I still worry she’ll tell me no, because I’m not sure I deserve a spectacular woman like her. But I know I want to keep trying.

  “Marcus.” Her arms fly around my neck and she kisses me over and over again. “Yes. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

  I can feel her warm tears on my cheeks. Or are they mine? I can’t tell. My once-shriveled heart expands in my chest until I think it might burst out of me.

  Chloe pulls back and stares at the ring box. “Holy hell. It’s gorgeous.”

  I pull the four-carat cushion cut diamond out of the box and slide it on her finger. It fits perfectly. Her face is bright and full of elated happiness. “Thanks for taking a chance on me,” I tell her.

  “Best decision I’ve ever made. I love you, Marcus.” She runs her hand down my face and kisses my cheek before she stands and shows everyone the ring.

  I was blocking them out, but looking behind me, Caitlin has her phone pointed at us, recording my proposal.

  “Congratulations,” Hudson says, patting me on the shoulder. He leans in. “See, you had nothing to worry about at all.”

  I wipe my hand across my forehead. “Thank you for the chat earlier.”

  “Anytime, brother. You guys have something special. I’m happy for you.”

  Susan interrupts Hudson and throws her arms around me. “That was beautiful, Marcus. I know you’re going to make our girl very happy.”

  “There’s nothing I want more than that.” I kiss her on the cheek.

  “Congratulations, son. Thank you for letting us be a part of the proposal. We’re all so happy for you,” Charles says, grasping my hand and shaking it vigorously.

  All the love surrounding me is more than I could’ve ever hoped for or dreamed that I deserved. Chloe and her family helped me see myself differently. I’m happy that I changed my mind and proposed here with them with us instead of at the restaurant.

  Chloe finds me and puts her arms around me. “You surprised me today.”

  “Are you happy?”

  “Yes.” She squeezes me tight. “You are the man of my dreams.”

  “You’re my dream come true.” I kiss her and attempt to keep it G-rated with her family around. “Maybe we can skip the beach and go home before dinner,” I suggest.

  “We can go to the beach tomorrow.” Her eyes sparkle up at me.

  “Perfect. We’ll have a quick lunch here and get back home asap.”

  She grabs my hand and we join her family at the picnic table for a very quick lunch.

  The End

  If you’re curious what happens in the next book in the Rules of the Game Series, A New Season. Click HERE to order.

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  About the Author

  Emma Tharp is the author of The Bluff Harbor Series, The McLoughlin Brothers Series and Keeping It Casual. She was raised in upstate New York. Being an only child, she spent a great deal of time alone, dreaming up characters who would keep her company on long family road trips. Putting her writing on the back burner, she went to college and became a chiropractor. After spending twelve years healing patients, Emma decided—with the help of her amazingly supportive husband—to use the creative side of her brain and let her characters come to the page.

  If she’s not writing, Emma can be found at the gym, one of her kids sporting events, Starbucks, or a live music event.

/>   A perfect day for Emma would be spent at her lake house with her husband, two ginger-haired children, and Vizsla, reading a book and drinking a large cup of coffee (or wine) with music playing in the background.

  Contact Emma Tharp at:

  www.emmatharp.com

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  Other books by Emma Tharp:

  What About Her (Book One of the Bluff Harbor Series)

  What About Us (Book Two of the Bluff Harbor Series)

  The McLoughlin Brothers Series Boxed Set

  Acknowledgments

  I would never be where I am today without the love and support of my rock, my best friend, my husband. Thanks for all you do for our little family. I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am for you.

  Thank you to my fans! Thank you for loving my NHL boys as hard as I do. I appreciate you all so much! You took the time out of your busy lives to read my stories. For that, I am forever grateful.

  And now, to my circle. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for encouraging me and helping me move forward. My editor, Theresa Schultz, you always make me laugh and your advice is always spot on. My cover designer, Megan at Emcat Designs. I love your work on this series. Book Five and I’m still in awe. Thank you to Julie Deaton at Deaton Author Services. I trust you with the last look at my work and you never disappoint. My mentor, Nicole. You have taught me so much. Everything you’ve taught me has been spot on. Thanks again for all your encouragement, love, and support. Massive shout out to my critique partners. Lisa and Sandy. I love you guys. Where would my books be without you? To all my Love Kissed friends. You guys have helped me in one way or another whether you know it or not. Our group supports each other, I’m thankful to be a part of it.

  To my family and friends. What can I say? You are the BEST!