The Keeping Score Box Set

by Tawdra Kandle

  Never doubt that I’m there with you. When you stand up in front of everyone and say your vows to each other, I’m standing up with you. I’m the one with the biggest smile in the crowd. I’m the first one to kiss the new Mrs. Taylor and say congratulations. I’m the one who gives the embarrassing toast about Leo. I’ll always be with you, Quinn, as close as your favorite memory of me.

  Embrace your happiness. You both earned every bit of it. Be happy, and don’t be afraid. Love each other with abandon. Say what’s on your mind all the time, because you know that’s the best way.

  I love you, Quinn. I always have, and I always will. On that day in the far distant future when you and Leo join me on the other side, I’ll be waiting for you both. The Trio will never really end.

  ~Nate

  I’d cried, of course, but they were the most cleansing, happiest of tears. Leo gripped my shoulder as he’d read, too.

  “God, I miss him. I didn’t know how much I would.” His voice was rough with emotion.

  “He’s here. I don’t have any doubt at all.”

  When Leo and I had told my mom where we wanted to have the wedding, she’d frowned at me. “Are you sure you want to do that, Quinn? After . . . Nate, I don’t want you to get married some place with bad memories.”

  I’d shaken my head. “I want to have the wedding where I have the best memories of Nate, Mom. I’m not trying to forget him. I never will, and neither will Leo. When I think of the beach, I remember the three of us playing there. I remember us hanging out there together in high school and in college. And I know Nate was happier here than he ever was. Why wouldn’t I want to start our new life on the foundation of that happiness?”

  We stood now at the front of the canopy with the minister between us. A breeze rippled through, blowing my long white cotton dress to swirl around our legs. Leo smiled down at me, squeezing my hands, and I grinned back. His eyes flickered over my shoulder, and then back to me, and one eyebrow rose.

  I knew what he saw beyond me. We’d specifically chosen this spot, just down the beach from the house, right near where our under-the-boardwalk tryst had taken place. It was part of our history, and like every other episode in our past, it was the foundation upon which we were building our forever.

  The minister cleared his throat and inclined his head toward Leo. It was time for our vows.

  “I, Leo, take you, Mia Quinn, to be my own, now and forever. You have been my best friend since you drew your first breath, and you will be my best friend until I draw my last. I will spend every day of my life showing you how much I love you, in everything I do and say. I promise no regrets, only truth. I promise that you will come first in my life, no matter what. And I swear that you will always be the only woman to wear my jersey.”

  There was a wave of tittering laughter in the congregation, but Leo didn’t look away from me.

  “I love you, Mia Quinn. Loving you is the best choice I ever made, and it’s one I will make every day, for the rest of our lives.”

  I’d sworn that I wouldn’t cry anymore. This was the happiest day of my life, and I didn’t have room for tears. But as Leo’s words swept over me, I felt a lump rising in my throat, just in time for the minister to turn to me.

  “I, Quinn, take you, Leo, as my own, now and forever. You are my best friend, my earliest memory and the man who I want by my side, no matter what. I promise you my love and my support, from preseason to postseason and every day in between. I promise that regardless of what happens on the field, our home will be a place of unconditional love. I promise to only look to our future together and not regret the past. And I promise that no matter what team you play for, I’ll always wear your jersey.”

  Leo brought our joined hands to his lips, kissing my knuckles.

  “I love you, Leo, and I will spend every day of our lives together making sure you never doubt that.”

  The minister spoke again, and a few minutes later, Leo slipped a delicate white gold and diamond band onto my finger. I slid a wide ring onto his hand, thrilling to the expression on his face as he looked down at his finger with a mix of wonder and pride.

  “And now, having entered into the covenant of marriage through the exchange of vows, the declaration of intent, and the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me by the state of New Jersey and in the name of the God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.” The minister smiled at both of us, a benediction in itself. “You may now seal those vows with a kiss.”

  I thought I’d seen Leo smile before. I thought I’d seen him full of joy. But at that moment, when we were declared husband and wife, I realized every other smile had been dim foretaste of what came now. It was as though the brightest sunlight had just broken in a gray sky.

  Taking my face between his hands, he sealed his lips over mine in a vow just as tangible as those he’d just spoken. His touch was both reverent and passionate, and my heart sped up, eager to feel his hands on me, consummating our promises in the best way I could imagine.

  The minister gave a discreet cough, and Leo pulled back, murmuring against my cheek as he held me close.

  “I love you, Mia Quinn Taylor.”

  The party was in full swing, with music blaring and the dance floor crowded. I was sitting on Leo’s lap, with his arms circling my waist as we chatted with Zelda and Tucker.

  “Hey, did you see that?” Zelda nodded toward the crush of dancing couples. On the very edge, Gia was slow dancing with Tate Durham. She stared up into his face as he murmured to her, and I glanced back at Zelda with raised brows.

  “When did that happen?” I’d spent quite a bit of time lately with Zelda and Gia, who were both my bridesmaids, but Gia hadn’t mentioned anything about Tate Durham. I didn’t even realize she knew him, although thinking back, they must’ve met at Carolina, when we used to go see Leo and Matt.

  “Got me. But they look mighty cozy.”

  “She deserves a little happiness. And Tate’s a good guy.”

  Leo, who had been talking to Tucker about how brutal mini-camp had been this year, picked up on my last words. He followed my gaze to Gia and Tate and smirked.

  “Well, it’s about time.”

  “Hey. Did you know something about Gia and Tate getting together?” I twisted on his lap to face him more fully.

  Leo shrugged, the picture of innocence. “I might have had an inkling that someone had feelings for someone else.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?” I popped my hands onto my hips.

  “Bro code, babe. I promised today to always tell you the truth, but I can’t betray a bro if what he tells me doesn’t affect you.” He spread his hands.

  “Uh huh. Okay, well, keep in mind that when you don’t tell me stuff that involves our friends, it just might affect you.” I shot him a saucy glance, and he laughed, pulling me down closer to his chest.

  “Mia, you know I’m powerless against your logic and charm.” He growled, nuzzling my neck until I squealed.

  I leaned back against him, enjoying the view of our friends and family celebrating. Kara and Allen were sitting with my mom and Shane the dry cleaner (yes, he would always be that to me), and Kara was clearly telling a story, her hands moving animatedly. Ellie, who had been instrumental in helping us to organize and plan this entire wedding, was leaning against Corey as they chatted with Lisa and Joe Taylor. Mark and Sheri had stayed through dinner, but I’d realized that they’d quietly left afterward. I knew today was bittersweet for them, although they’d both given me their love and blessing.

  Various football players and coaches from the Rebels were on the dance floor and scattered around the tent. Gideon Maynard was nursing a beer over by the bar, watching everyone else have fun. I’d gotten to know him a little better over the past months, but Ellie was right; he was a private man, and he didn’t share easily. Still, I liked him and I respected him as a football player and a leader on the team.

 
A table set up in the corner held a basket that was overflowing with envelopes. We’d requested that our guests forego gifts in favor of donations to the Matt Lampert Foundation, which was already establishing itself in neighborhoods around New Jersey and Virginia, offering counseling and other resources to young athletes. Leo and Gia had both participated in awareness rallies at some junior highs and high schools, speaking with poignant honesty about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially to at-risk kids. They’d advocated for parents, teachers and coaches to get involved before the problems escalated, and they told Matt’s story, pointing out that speaking up was imperative.

  “What do you think Matt would say, if he were here today?” I rubbed my cheek against Leo’s. “Would he even be here, or would he be off sulking someplace?”

  Leo knit our fingers together. “He’d be here, because if Matt was still alive, he’d have gotten help. He’d be better. Healthier. And so he’d be at our wedding because he loved me like a brother, and by now, he’d have realized that you are the best part of me. He’d know that you make me happier than anyone else in the world, so he’d be happy for both of us.” He kissed my earlobe. “He might even kind of like you.”

  “Gee, thanks.” I shook my head, but I thought Leo was probably right.

  Leo’s brothers, along with Corey and Tate, had stood for him as groomsmen. I spied Danny dancing with Sarah Jenkins, both of them laughing at some shared joke. Danny claimed loudly to anyone who would pay attention that he was the last remaining single Taylor boy and that he liked it that way. I didn’t get the feeling Sarah was in any hurry to settle down either, even though I’d introduced her to a bunch of seriously hot football players this year. I doubted anything was going on between Danny and Sarah, but they were having fun tonight, and there wasn’t a thing wrong with that.

  Simon and Justine passed us with a quick wave and smile. Justine’s baby bump was definitely showing now, and as I watched, Simon ran a possessive hand over his wife’s belly. Behind me, Leo sighed and held me a little tighter.

  “Think that’ll be us?”

  Anticipation made me shiver a little. “Someday, in the not-too-distant future, I hope.” I arched my neck to kiss his cheek. “But not yet. I want a carefree honeymoon and a football season where I can indulge in a beer or two at the stadium before I let you knock me up.”

  Leo chuckled. “Agreed, babe.” He kissed a path up the back of my neck and then whispered in my ear. “Want to take that walk? I don’t think anyone will miss us.”

  I nodded and pushed to stand up. Leo held me by the hips, reached onto the chair next to us to pick up what we needed and took my hand as we stepped into the darkness.

  The waves were crashing onto the wet sand in the moonlight. I gathered up the skirt of my dress to hold it in one hand, clinging to Leo with the other. We made our way down to the ocean until the music in the tent was nothing but a low hum in the distance.

  We both toed off our shoes and left them beyond the reach of the water, and Leo rolled up his pants before we stepped into the surf. When Leo opened his other hand between us, the rose, the ring, the sand dollar and the small train that had sat in Nate’s chair earlier lay on his palm.

  I picked up the rose with the ring still attached, and I pressed it to my lips. “Good-bye, Nate. Thank you for being our friend. Thank you for all the love you showed us over the years. And thank you for giving us the gift of each other.”

  With a deep breath that ended in an almost-sob, I threw the rose and ring as far as I could into the sea.

  Leo closed his fingers over the shell and the train. “Nate, buddy, I miss you. Wish you were here. We’re never going to forget you, ever. The Trio won’t die.” With an arm extension that would’ve impressed even Gideon Maynard, Leo flung the two items into the swirling water.

  We stood there a little while longer in silence. I leaned back against Leo’s strong chest, and he held me in the safety of his arms. In the soft night air that brushed our faces, we felt the benediction of a friendship that transcended time and space, life and death.

  Leo bent his head to touch his lips to my cheek. “I love you, Mia Quinn.”

  I closed my eyes, smiling.

  Now. Always. Forever.

  The End

  If you enjoyed this book, please post a review!

  Word of mouth marketing is the greatest gift you can give any author.

  Posting on social media, blogs and reviewing on vendor sites is hugely appreciated.

  If you follow me on social media, you already know how difficult the writing—and particularly the ending—of this book was for me. I didn’t want to see it end. I didn’t want to say good-bye to Nate, Quinn and Leo.

  And yet, here we are.

  So first I’m going to say thank you to the three people who inspired the original story of the Trio. It has evolved and changed since its inception, but if not for you three, I wouldn’t have conceived the idea. I am so grateful for this story and the privilege of writing it.

  Thank you to all the people who put their hard work and passion into the creation of this book. Robin Ludwig and Meg Murrey both contributed to the cover designs, and I am grateful to both of them. Stacey Blake . . . well, I have no words. You constantly amaze me, and not only with your incredible talented but with your compassion and patience. Thank you for making this series exactly what it needed to be.

  To my beta team . . . you rock my world! Kara Schilling, Niki Mattes, Carla Edmonson, Christy Durbin, Krissy Smith, Ann Sutphin, Marla Wenger, Dawn Line, Yvonne Farmer, and Julianna Santiago—thank you so much. You keep me straight and make the stories so much better. Thank you for crying, for caring and for loving these characters as much as I do.

  Thank you to Carla Edmonson, winner of the Tell Me Your Love Story contest, for allowing me the honor of using her own love story in part of this book. Her tale of true love touched me deeply, and I am thrilled we could use it.

  And a huge thanks to ALL my Temptresses. During the writing of this book, you helped keep me sane-ish and even made me laugh. You are all my friends, and I treasure you.

  To Mandie and Olivia, I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for putting up with me. Mandie, once we make it through another year of Indie Bookfest, we are celebrating BIG. Get ready. And Olivia, I can’t wait until we can party together in October! Much love to you both.

  I am sending piles of gratitude to the musicians whose talent helped to shape this story. Eddie Vedder’s Future Days was on repeat, and Sarah McLachlan’s Full of Grace, a long-time favorite, spoke anew to me. The rest of the artists on the play list were just as instrumental, and I can’t imagine this story without their inadvertent contributions. One of the advantages to reading this story on iBooks is that you can see how each song fits into the appropriate chapter, which is ever so cool.

  This summer was so much different for my family. For once, I was home. I didn’t travel at all for book events. I treasured each and every moment in my beautiful home with my incredible husband and my kids. My family means everything to me, and having the time to enjoy them was an amazing blessing. I love my readers, and I missed seeing you on the road, but I needed this! I think this book is that much better because of the time I had at home.

  Being an author isn’t easy. We’re always second-guessing ourselves, wondering if we could have done more, working long, late hours and turning ourselves inside out for the story. What makes it all worth it is YOU, the readers. Messages, emails, posts, reviews—all of those are what keep me going day after day. Thank you for reading. Thank you for reviewing. Thank you for sharing. My gratitude knows no bounds.

  Days of You and Me Play List

  The Water is Wide—Karla Bonoff

  Hey, That’s No Way to Say Good-Bye—Roberta Flack

  Truce—Twenty-One Pilots

  Life is Eternal—Carly Simon

  Full of Grace—Sarah McLachlin

  Hard Love—NeedToBreathe

  Big Girls Don’t Cry—Fergier />
  Til Kingdom Come—Coldplay

  Coming Your Way—Beach Avenue

  Unpack Your Heart—Philip Philips

  To Make You Feel My Love—Billy Joel

  God Only Knows—Natalie Maines

  Shameless—Billy Joel

  Come to Me—The Goo Goo Dolls

  I Bet My Life—Imagine Dragons

  Even More Mine—Rita Wilson

  Future Days—Pearl Jam

  Fourth and Long

  A Keeping Score Short

  “Morgan! Hey, you got a minute?”

  I swallowed back the sigh of frustration building in my chest and forced a smile as I turned to face my boss. It wasn’t that I didn’t like George; I did. He was a fair-minded and reasonable man, with a terrific sense of humor and compassionate soul. But just now, I was on my way to my desk with an armful of work that was going to take me all morning. I didn’t have time for even a minute of conversation.

  Still, the boss is the boss, so I shoved down the irritation. “Sure, George. What’s up?”

  He pressed his lips together for a moment, and I saw weariness in his eyes. “Ron Shields got bad news about his wife. Wendy’s cancer has spread. The doctors are giving her just a few months at most.”

  “Oh.” I swallowed hard. Ron was the defensive coordinator for the Richmond Rebels, a much-beloved leader in the organization, and his wife, Wendy, was nearly as much a part of our team as her husband. She’d been fighting a long battle, and we’d all hoped for the best outcome. “I’m so sorry, George. What can I do?”

  He inhaled long through his nose. “We’ll figure out how to help Ron somehow, but for now, he’s decided to step down. Martin is telling him that we’ll just consider it a leave of absence, but Ron insists that we need to hire someone. He said he doesn’t want to feel the pressure to come back before he’s ready.”

  “Yeah, I get that.” I shifted my folders. “So are we bumping up Dilly?” The assistant defensive coordinator was older than the stadium and had been bumping around the NFL for longer than I’d been alive. We all adored him, but I wasn’t sure he was up to the job of running this big a part of the show.