energy.
But…the couch was a good place to ward away the morning sickness. Or maybe it was just nerves? I could do nothing for Lachlan except wear his jersey and cross my fingers as the game started.
I didn’t have to worry.
The first series nearly gave me a heart attack, but he blocked one ferocious looking linebacker and kept the blitz off of Jack.
They gave him the ball in the second series—an easy screen pass that he turned into a seven-yard gain.
The third series was his best. He got open in the middle, dove for the ball, and came up with an impossible first down that led to a rushing touchdown.
And each and every time he touched that ball or flashed on the screen, I teared up. It was mostly the hormones twisting me, but that pride was something I’d never felt before.
For so long, I searched for the amazing—beautiful places in the world, landmarks, natural wonders. I thought I had to search to find the next biggest, greatest thing life could offer.
Turns out, I didn’t have to go that far.
What I felt for Lachlan was nothing I could capture in a picture or keep on my shelf. The best trinket of his was the little bit of him growing inside me.
And it was time he realized that.
The game ended, but it was late when he finally knocked on my door. It didn’t matter the hour. Our conversation was days overdue.
Lachlan greeted me with a tired smile. “Know how they say…a husband and wife should never go to bed angry?”
“Yeah?”
“Please tell me you haven’t slept for three days.”
“Actually…”
That only panicked him. “Christ, Elle, you’re pregnant, you’ve gotta—”
I pulled him inside. “I’ve gotten some sleep.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“It’s been…stressful.”
“That’s also not good for you or the baby.”
“We’re pretty tough. I think we can handle a couple interviews and depositions.”
“I want to be there with you.”
I believed him, but I didn’t answer. He followed me inside, dropping a bag at the foot of the couch.
“They offered me my job back,” I said. “Technically, they gave me Peter’s.”
Lachlan had the same reaction that I did—uncertainty. “Are you going to take it?”
“I don’t know. I might get more tangled in all these scandals. Who knows what other unethical things are happening.”
He went quiet. “We’re a team—you and me, Jack and Cole and the rest of the guys. Cole was right. The Rivets are fucked up. There’s cheating. There’s bounty-hunting. The only way we can heal is if we stick together—cleanse it from the inside.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like Jack talking.”
He shrugged. “You have a lot of reasons to stay with the team.”
“Name one.”
“Me.”
That’s the one I’d hoped for. But I didn’t rush into his arms. Not yet.
“You know…you were right,” I said. “You promised I’d fall for you before the sunset of our third date.”
“I’m irresistible like that.”
“You really should warn a girl.”
“And miss out on all the fun?”
I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, my smile fading. He wanted the truth, and I didn’t know if I could keep the secret anymore.
“I won’t lie to you,” I said. “I fell for you. Hard. But I’m not a girl who believes in fairy tales or fate or magic. These next few months are going to be insane—not just the investigations, but because of the baby.”
“I’m going to take care of you, Elle.”
“I just…want to make sure this is real.”
“Of course it is.” He pulled me close. “You know we fell in love the first moment we met.”
“If only I could remember it.”
He smiled, teasing me with dimples that I couldn’t resist. “Fortunately for you, I do remember. You came up to me and said something to the effect of…We belong together. Let’s hook up in the hotel room all weekend, meet again in three months, fall in love, have a baby, and live happily-ever-after.”
“Hmm.” I nodded. “That doesn’t sound like me.”
“Well, that was the gist of it.”
“Are you sure you weren’t the one coming onto me?” I asked. “Because I think I remember you saying…I’m gonna chase after you until you agree to date me, and then I’ll charm you, knock you up, and we’ll live a happily-ever-disaster.”
“Sounds more like me.”
“Yeah, that’s about right. Remember what I said after that?”
“Tell me.”
“I told you…If I ever keep secrets from you, it’s not because I don’t trust you, it’s because I’m in love with you and refuse to jeopardize your spot on a team.”
“Oh, yeah.” Lachlan smirked. “You did mention that. Right before you