what’s going on. Pretty much every person in the stadium, and probably everyone watching at home, is focused on us.
“I get that I’m not worthy, and you’re, like, a million leagues out of mine.” Matt smiles, a tiny bead of sweat falling down his forehead. “But I’d do anything for you. And if I have to give up all of this…I don’t care. I love you, Ellie. I need you.”
I glance around and see about a hundred iPhones filming us and flashes from every direction.
“I’m so confused…” I say, holding my hand to my head and trying to keep myself upright even though the whole world feels like it’s turning and twisting under me. “But…”
I look at Matt, taking in the entire moment—ridiculous and unbelievable and probably very much against the rules of NFL play.
My eyes fill up, and my chest tightens as the only words I want to say fall out of my mouth. “I love you, too.”
I can hear my brothers exclaiming shock and laughing, and the entire stadium is like a blurry, fuzzy pool to me right now.
“Cost you your entire career?” My father steps forward, glaring at Matt and making him back up a little. “I knew Richardson would take this a little too far. You were willing to…you would give up all of this…everything…just to be with my daughter?”
Matt takes in a slow breath and smiles at me. “Yes, sir. I would. In fact, I am.”
My dad nods slowly and swallows, folding his hands behind his back. “I, um…” He clears his throat. “I may have misjudged you, McKenzie. And my lawyer may have gone far overboard. No surprises there.”
Matt’s eyes widen. “What?”
I turn toward my dad and gasp a little in disbelief.
“Anyone who would be willing to risk everything, to put it all on the line like this, for my Elizabeth, well…you must really care about her.”
Matt’s face brightens. “Yeah. I do.”
The weight of the world seems to float off my chest, and I can’t even begin to try to make sense of what’s happening right now. My head is buzzing, and my heart is racing, and Matt’s blue eyes are all that’s keeping me grounded.
“I take it all back,” my dad grumbles. “I was wrong.”
Matt turns to me. “Will you be mine?”
“Yes!” I say without hesitation.
“For the love of God, though.” My dad shoves Matt’s shoulder. “Go finish the damn game!”
As if on cue, the buzzer to signal the end of the time-out sounds through the stadium, and Matt hops back over the ledge onto the sideline to join his team.
He puts a hand on his chest and winks at me.
My whole body feels like it’s floating. I can barely even comprehend what just happened, but nothing has ever felt better.
All that my unbelievably overwhelmed mind can piece together right now is that Paul Richardson must have made some sort of threat. Maybe my dad knew. But it doesn’t matter. None of it matters.
I love him and he’s mine. Forever.
The clock winds down, and a wave of tension and pressure falls over the entire stadium again.
“Come on, Riders!” I shout, my body tight with nerves and giddy with joy.
“Let’s go!” Clay shouts.
Jayson frantically checks his betting odds, and Ethan holds his breath.
There’s less than a minute left. Riders’ ball, in Matt’s hands.
“Fourth and goal,” Noah says, his voice low and nervous. “Twelve yards to go.”
“Ellie,” my dad whispers, taking my hand and squeezing it. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to do what I thought was best. I screwed up and made a bad call, Richardson jumped at the opportunity to make a massive threat, and—”
“Dad!” I smile at him and push my blowing hair out of my face. “The game!”
They line up fast, forty seconds left. The emotional roller coaster of the day takes another exhilarating turn in my heart as I keep my eyes glued on Matt.
My Matt.
Cameras fly around and flash, and the crowd collectively holds its breath. A hush seems to come over the entire place, so quiet I can hear the ball smack into Matt’s hands after he calls the play.
The seconds are ticking away. No one can get open. Damn that Patriot defense.
Matt pump-fakes and reads the field, his energy palpable as time seems to stand still while the ball is in his hands.
Come on, baby.
There’s nothing. I suck in a breath as the clock winds down, but suddenly, a slot.
“Oh shit!” Jayson jumps up, and the rest of us follow, quickly getting to our feet.
Matt holds