I want to laugh at the cocky remark, but my heart is in my throat and there is no room for it to escape.
Dallas continues, his gaze never wavering from the camera. “I’m done being your secret. If you’ve got the lady balls—and I know you do, baby—then meet me tonight, right after the game, in the Renegades’ end zone. I’ll be the one with the diamond ring.”
I almost choke on my ice. “Oh, my Lord. Did he just tell the entire world that he’s going to propose to me?”
“And that, kids, is how you let a woman know you mean business.” Standing, he yanks off the microphone and swaggers off the stage.
I lift my eyes to my momma’s face. She’s grinning like a possum with a biscuit.
“You will tell that man yes.”
“Duh.”
“Well, what are you waiting for Paige?” she asks. “Go get him.”
* * *
When I arrive at the stadium, Finley is waiting to usher me inside the private box where the owners sit… where I’ll hide out until the end of the game. What happens after that, I have no idea because I haven’t spoken to Finley for more than ten seconds today and that was just to confirm my arrival time.
Thankfully, she and Momma worked everything out ahead of time.
“Let’s go,” she says, all businesslike.
“Are you disappointed in me?” I can’t help but ask.
“That you didn’t tell me before now so I didn’t have to call in every favor owed to me to get you on the field? In a word, yes.”
“What?”
She pushes me along to a lobby of private elevators, pressing the up button and swiping a plastic key across the bottom of it. “All right, so you’re not the responsible one for this PR dream, Dallas is, but I’m slightly aggravated.”
“But you’re not mad because we’re dating, right?”
My sister gives me an odd look. “No. I’m aggravated at calling in favors for your soon-to-be knucklehead of a fiancé. Well, he’s always been a knucklehead, but if he’s willing to go live on Facebook and social media to let everyone know exactly who he loves, I can’t be anything but happy for you.”
The doors open with a soft swoosh. “Oh my gosh. I can’t… who are you?”
“A woman who has found happiness and thinks that grudges shouldn’t be carried forever.”
“Please tell me you and Aiden haven’t—”
“Oh, ugh. Paige. McHugh and I have been done for years. The guy I’m dating doesn’t play football, or any sport… unless you count kickball.”
“Oh?”
Finley’s cheeks turn pink. “He’s a schoolteacher—first grade—and you would know this if we actually took the time to talk. I want you to meet Will. Momma and Bond, too. I know we’re not big on holidays, but I’d really like to spend Christmas with y’all.”
“Not Thanksgiving?”
“Don’t push it.” She grins. “Will asked me to fly back with him to Pennsylvania to meet his parents.”
“That’s so awesome!” I give her an impulsive hug. “This is the best day I’ve ever had.”
“When the game is over, you’re going to have the best night.”
“Dallas doesn’t know I’m here.”
“And that’s going to make it even better when I delay his play for you, just for a bit.” The door opens, and we get out. “Now, listen carefully, because this is how it’s going to go down…”
CHAPTER 30
Dallas
The last play of the game went on for hours. Arizona’s offense held on to the ball longer than they should have been allowed, but with a fumble by their wide receiver, they gave us possession and we used to score… and win the game.
In my head and in my heart, I knew if we didn’t win, I wouldn’t win with Paige, either. Yeah, I know she’s not the type, but I had to keep myself pumped up.
Except the game has been over, the post interviews are done, and basically the entire stadium is sitting there, holding their collective breaths while sweat pours down my face.
I’ve got the ring. I’m set for sound with a mic hooked to the top of my jersey. My teammates are ready with girly shit like flowers and champagne—with strict orders that the champagne is not to be dumped on Paige’s head, nor is she to be sprayed with it.
Basically, the only guy allowed to put anything on her body is me.
Possessive. Fuck yes.
Will that change? Fuck no.
I scan each end of the field and the middle, too, hoping for a glimpse of honey-colored hair under the Renegade Stadium lights, but there’s nothing except a sea of navy blue, white, and gold.
“Don’t let me down, bright eyes. C’mon. Be brave for me,” I say under my breath and away from the mic. For once, I don’t give a damn about my ego. I only care about my fucking heart being broken.
Shredded.
Stomped on and set on fire.
Useless for anything but pumping blood.
Catherine and Mikey wave and yell at me from the sidelines.
I wave back, but I don’t feel like celebrating, not even with our win. My dad and mom stand nearby, and I can tell by their expressions that even they don’t think Paige is going to show.
Maybe Paige needs some encouragement.
Or maybe she doesn’t like grand gestures that are being broadcast all over the free world.
“I just wanted to…” The sound of my voice echoes, startling everyone, including me. “Okay, not so loud this time. Thank you for coming out and supporting the Renegades tonight. I know you’re probably still hanging out because you want to see if she is going to show up. I hope she does, but even if she doesn’t, I’m not going to stop loving her. And if I have to stand here every night until she believes me, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Finley throws her clipboard down and starts shouting at me, making hand gestures that can only be described as violent. I’m about one-hundred-percent sure she should have been a coach instead of a publicist.
“Dallas Drake.” It’s a woman voice, raised into a shout. I turn around, watching as my girl runs to me from the wrong end of the field. She is in Arizona’s end zone, but I don’t give a damn.
I run to her, uncaring that this moment is ruined because I’m nowhere near the cameras or the flowers when I get to her.
She leaps into my arms and I catch her, purposefully falling to the ground as she covers my face with kisses. “I’m here. I’m here,” she says as the stadium erupts into howls and applause.
“You tackled me like a boss, bright eyes.”
“You loved it.”
“I love you.”
She lifts her head. “My answer is yes because I love you, too. I want the world to know that I, Paige Amelia Owens, am completely, head over heels in love with the best tight end in the NFL.”
“The best, huh?” I grab the back of her head and pull her down for another kiss. “I knew you couldn’t stay away.”
“Well, the sex in the ladies’ room at the country club helped sway me. I mean, how do I say no to orgasms like that?”
“Uh, baby, the mic is hot.”
She pulls away. “It’s what?”
“It’s on.”
Her eyes go as round as saucers and her mouth drops, but then she does what I love and starts giggling. “I’m just being honest, Dallas, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with complimenting my future husband’s bedroom skills as much as his football ones.” Then she drops her head to my chest and whispers, “Can we go somewhere private where I won’t make a fool of myself?”
“As soon as we say hello to my family, your sister, and my teammates.”
“Fun.” She giggles again, and I roll us to our feet. As soon as she stands, I get down on one knee and hold out the ring I’ve been holding onto the entire time.
“I know you’ve already said yes, but I want to do things the right way.” I clear my throat and glance at the herd of people heading our way. “Will you marry me?”
She nods, hol
ding out her hand, and I slide the ring on. Once it’s secure, I jump to my feet and kiss the future Mrs. Drake.
EPILOGUE
Dallas
One week later
An hour into the party, Paige walks into the ballroom of the Franklin-Hayes House, wearing my ring and looking so beautiful that my heart aches to hold her. I don’t have to wait very long, because she spies me in the crowd and walks straight to me, no longer shy about us in public.
She presses a kiss to my cheek and puts her arm though mine. “What do you think of the turnout?”
“I think we’re going to blow last year’s contributions out of the water.”
She smiles. “There are a few reporters who want to interview you. They are waiting by the fountain.”
I start to let go of her, but I stop myself. “Come with me.”
“Do I have to say anything?”
“Only that you’re marrying me.”
She blushes. “The entire world knows I’m marrying you.”
“Yeah, maybe, but I like hearing it.”
She tips up her chin, her blue eyes so bright I’m temporarily blinded. “I’m marrying you, Dallas Drake, right after you win the Super Bowl.”
“I like the way you think, future Mrs. Drake.”
Her smile makes my heart slam against my chest. “Just wait until I tell you what I want to do when the night is over.”
Paige’s eyebrow rises as she looks at me questioningly.
I lower my voice and dip my head so I can whisper in her ear. “Let’s skip the interviews for now and find a janitor’s closet… so I can tell your pussy how good it tastes.” I tug on her arm, and she willingly comes with me. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Her smile is bold and happy. “No, I was planning on scoring with you tonight anyway.”
I wink at her, smirking. “You can score with me anytime you want for the rest of our lives, bright eyes.”
Thank you for reading SCORED. If you enjoyed Dallas and Paige’s story, consider leaving a review to let others know.
Special thanks goes out to Nina Grinstead, Lisa Kuhne, Social Butterfly PR, and last but never least my family for putting up with me while I’m on deadline.
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About the Author
Marquita Valentine is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.
Since first taking the plunge in July of 2012, Marquita has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling Ebooks Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes&Noble. She’s been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (The Book Queen).
When she’s not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south with her husband, two kids, and a dog.
www.marquitavalentine.com
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