Foreplayer: A Rookie Rebels Novel
Page 27
Now that Mia’s Olympics were over, she could focus on her next goal: playing pro. She had offers from several teams, though he prayed she’d take the one from Chicago. Once Selena Fabien had been ousted, it didn’t take long for Vadim and the Chase family to renegotiate the women’s franchise for the Windy City with Selena’s successor. If Mia ended up elsewhere, they’d make it work long-distance, but he would prefer she was with him in body and not just in spirit.
As his wife.
It wasn’t a done deal because he hadn’t asked her yet. Only together officially for three months, he suspected some people might think it was too soon. But Cal knew no one could compare to this fearless, funny, feisty woman, and locking her down seemed like the best decision he could ever make.
The players started to come off the ice now, first the Canadians with their bronze, then the Russians with their silver. Some of them immediately took the medals off and held them loosely in their hands by the ribbons or stuffed them into pockets. Anyone who didn’t play hockey might think them poor losers but Cal understood. Sometimes, taking part wasn’t enough. Six months ago, Cal would have patted himself on the back because he was participating, but not anymore. Now it was all or nothing.
He nodded at a few of the American players who came off, craning his neck to the back of the crowd. There she was, her grin lighting up the tunnel as she walked arm in arm with Cassie.
“Foreman!”
She ran to him and jumped into his arms, her kiss hard and triumphant.
“Good job, gorgeous girl,” he murmured against her mouth.
“You see that last feint with the toe drag?”
“Just like I taught you.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “Hey, that’s a Mia Wallace original!”
He kissed her again and placed her on the ground. “Let’s see the hardware.” He held up her medal, which was surprisingly heavy. “Cute.”
“Yeah, cute. Like me.” She sank into him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Nowhere I’d rather be. Vad’s pretty jealous he can’t come back here.” He rubbed a thumb over her pouty bottom lip. The fantasies he had about this mouth … “So I wondered if I could ask a favor.”
“Anything. I’m in a really good mood.”
“It seems unlikely I’ll ever get to Olympic ice—”
“So sad.”
He rolled his eyes at her insolence. “Could we walk on, just for a minute?”
“Of course!”
They walked to the rink, hand in hand. Several skater volunteers were gliding around, sweeping the ice, picking up flowers, flags, and stuffed toys thrown onto the rink by spectators. Most of the crowd had left except for one section about half way up the stands, opposite the center circle.
“Hey, is that my Rebels fam?” They waved at her like lunatics, whistling and yelling, now that they had no competition. Mia waved back. “I can’t believe they stuck around.”
“They were under strict orders.”
“Oh, yeah? Oh!” She put both hands to her mouth, her shock evident at seeing Cal down on one knee. “Great Scott! What are you doing?”
She had to ask? The open ring box revealed a sapphire, as blue as her eyes, and the ice was starting to seep through his jeans because that’s what ice did. It got things cold and wet.
But inside his body was hot. Boiling with need and nerves, and praying he hadn’t made a mistake.
“Mia Wallace, I love you. You’ve taught me that coasting is a cop out, that life is too precious to keep at a distance, that love is a gift. I know you have dreams and ambitions, and I’ll never stand in your way. I want to travel that road with you and be your backup.”
She snatched a breath. “Oh, Cal.”
“Look up, Mia.”
“Wha—oh!” Wide-eyed with wonder, she turned her attention back to the Rebels section. Amazingly, not one of them had grumbled when he asked them to take part in this very public, potentially disastrous proposal. It was a risk, but then so was everything. If he’d learned anything in the last six months, it was that taking that leap, even if the ice might crack beneath your feet when you landed was the only way to live.
“Ayyes?” Mia said with a giggle. “Are you a dyslexic pirate in your spare time?”
“Jesus, Kershaw,” Cal muttered. After a couple more attempts, Theo managed to get his card turned over and the right way up. Cal should never have given him the first letter!
There it was in black and white, plexiglass-clear, written large on cards held by the most important people in Mia’s life:
SAY YES,
MIA!
(Vadim had grumbled that he got the card with the comma, which he didn’t feel was appropriate given his relationship to both principals. Cal had insisted he do it, reminding him that he could have made things a lot easier if he’d told Cal he supported #Calia from the very beginning.)
“What do you think, Mia?”
“I think the Rebels have spoken. Yes. A million golden yeses.”
“Thank God.” He shot upright and sent a thumbs up to Cal’s Little Helpers, who all promptly dropped the cards and burst into applause.
“Kiss her, you idiot!” Theo shouted.
Mia grinned. “Maybe I should try on this ring first?”
“Shit, the ring. Totally forgot about the ring.” He plucked it out of the box’s velvet bed and placed it on her finger.
“Show us the bling!” Harper called out.
Mia pivoted and raised her hand to her public while Cal wrapped around her from behind. All his. She had been for a while but this cemented it.
“Goes nice with my medal. And hey, it looks like that bouquet catch worked out for me after all.”
For them both. She turned in his arms, her left hand on his shoulder in such a way that the ring sat up between them, the symbol of their new beginning. And then she looked up at him, her heart in her eyes, giving him everything and expecting nothing in return.
Not that it would ever be that way. From here on out, Callum Patrick Foreman would spend every waking—and sleeping—moment of his life worshipping the ice this woman skated on.
He had wanted his life to have purpose. At last he’d found it.
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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Cal and Mia. Please leave an honest review on your favorite book platform. I would so appreciate it.
I wrote a bonus epilogue for these two! Exclusive to newsletter subscribers, it’s available only at this special link: Get the FOREPLAYER Bonus Epilogue now.
Ready for more Rebels? Next up is Reid Durand, the most misunderstood guy in the NHL. Just what is his problem anyway? It’ll take a special woman to figure him out! Learn more in DEAR ROOMIE.
Are you curious about Vadim and Isobel’s story? Check out SO OVER YOU, one of the original Chicago Rebels romances.
Wondering how Levi snagged his best friend’s widow, ace reporter Jordan, how a one-night stand between Theo and Elle turned into so much more, or how Gunnar and Sadie found redemption and love in each other? GOOD GUY (free series starter!), INSTACRUSH, and MAN DOWN are available now.
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New to the Chicago Rebels world? Meet the original crew! Three estranged sisters inherit their late father’s failing hockey franchise and are forced to confront a man’s world, their family’s demons, and the battle-hardened ice warriors skating into their hearts. Start right now with the free prequel, IN SKATES TROUBLE.
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Finally, to stay in touch about new releases, sales, and what I’m working on, sign up for my newsletter or join my reader group, Kate’s Kittens on Facebook.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to my editor, Kristi Yanta - our fourth book together! I learn something from you with every outing. Your insight and skill never fails to amaze me.
Thanks also to copyeditor Kim Cannon, whose attention to detail saves my butt every time. To my cover designer Michele Catalano Creative, I don’t know how you m
ake the covers hotter with each book, but you do and we are all supremely grateful.
To my agent, Nicole Resciniti, who always has my back.
And finally, Jimmie, the adventure continues! Thanks for being my co-captain :)
About the Author
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary featuring strong heroes and amazing women and men who can match their guys quip for quip.
Also by Kate Meader
Rookie Rebels
GOOD GUY
INSTACRUSH
MAN DOWN
FOREPLAYER
DEAR ROOMIE
Chicago Rebels
IN SKATES TROUBLE
IRRESISTIBLE YOU
SO OVER YOU
UNDONE BY YOU
HOOKED ON YOU
WRAPPED UP IN YOU
Laws of Attraction
DOWN WITH LOVE
ILLEGALLY YOURS
THEN CAME YOU
Hot in Chicago
REKINDLE THE FLAME
FLIRTING WITH FIRE
MELTING POINT
PLAYING WITH FIRE
SPARKING THE FIRE
FOREVER IN FIRE
COMING IN HOT
Tall, Dark, and Texan
EVEN THE SCORE
TAKING THE SCORE
ONE WEEK TO SCORE
Hot in the Kitchen
FEEL THE HEAT
ALL FIRED UP
HOT AND BOTHERED
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