“Holy shit, this is the best day of my life.” He grabbed my face and kissed me hard. “I love you so much.”

I laughed through his kisses. “I love you too.”

“You need a ring,” he said, glancing around. He grabbed a roll of medical tape and ripped off a small piece, then took my hand and wrapped the little strip around my ring finger. “That’ll do for now. I’ll get you a real one when I can.”

I held up my hand and admired the white tape circling my finger. “I love it. It’s perfect.”

He took my hand and brought it to his lips. “It is perfect, isn’t it?”

“It’s all perfect. Crazy, but completely perfect.”

One corner of his mouth hooked in a grin, puckering his dimples. “Crazy is kinda my thing.”

Smiling, I leaned in to kiss him again. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

“I love you, Sky.”

“I love you too.”

And I did. I loved him so much. I never wanted to be without him, and now I’d never have to.

43

Gavin

Icy rain pelted the football field, soaking through my clothes. Not that I cared. This was football weather in the mountains. And tonight was the big Bailey-Haven game.

It was fucking on.

Technically, I wasn’t supposed to play tonight. But as far as I was concerned, some minor burns weren’t enough to sideline me. If we’d been playing anyone but the Havens, Jack probably would have made me sit the bench. But we were playing the Havens, which meant all bets were off. And a mildly injured Gavin was definitely taking the field.

The Bailey team had played a great season, both with and without me. We hadn’t lost a single game, not even to the Montgomerys, who’d beaten us last year.

Of course, the fucking Havens were also undefeated.

For now. We were going to kick their asses tonight.

I stood on the sidelines with my brothers, waiting for the fourth quarter to start. It was a tie game, and they had the ball, but I was confident we were going to walk out of here with the win.

We had to. Bailey pride demanded it.

Glancing into the bleachers, I waved at my girl. Sky was bundled up in a thick coat and wore a light blue knit hat someone at Stitch and Bitch had made her. Gram had started teaching her to crochet, which was so fucking cute. Asher and Evan hadn’t told me how awesome it was to see your girl bonding with Gram.

She waved back from beneath the big umbrella that covered both her and Cara. Grace and Fiona shared another one next to them. They were troopers, coming out here on a stormy night to cheer on their team.

Bunch of cute little badasses is what they were. I loved those girls.

Especially Sky.

No one had been all that surprised when we’d told everyone we were engaged. I’d expected a bunch of lectures from my brothers about not rushing in. But they’d just congratulated me with slaps on the back and Bailey bear hugs. Like they trusted me to make this big decision about my life and not fuck it up.

Maybe they just realized that I knew. Sky was it for me. It was as simple as that.

Grace was so excited, she’d brought me a t-shirt that said, Soon-To-Be Trophy Husband. She’d gotten it from her brother Cooper.

I was wearing it under my sweatshirt.

“How you feeling, Gav?” Jack asked. “If you’re hurting—”

“I’m good.”

He nodded. “I want you all over Zachary Haven. Rush that damn pass.”

“With pleasure, Coach.”

Logan nudged me with his elbow and nodded across the field. “Look at those dicks.”

Theo and Garrett were glaring at us from the other side of the field.

“They’re still pissed about the drive-in,” I said with a chuckle. “Is it weird that I can’t wait to see what they do to try to get us back?”

Logan laughed. “Yeah, you are weird, Gav. By the way, I bought Princess Squeaker a pink cat bed I saw in the window at Happy Paws. It’s totally her new favorite place to sleep.”

“Where is it? I didn’t even see it.”

“It’s in my room.”

I shoved him. “Stop trying to steal my cat.”

“I’m not. It’s not my fault she likes me better than you.”

“Whatever. She’ll always love her mommy best.”

The Havens took the field so I popped my mouth guard back in and tossed a wink over my shoulder at Sky. I was cold and tired, but it felt great. My leg was getting stronger, and I was about to get all up in Zachary Haven’s face.

Levi and Logan were playing both sides of the ball with me. Asher and Evan were on offense, waiting on the sidelines for us to get the ball back for them.

Adrenaline lit me up from the inside as I stared Zachary down. Even though I was obligated to hate him, I had to admit, Zachary was a great quarterback. He was quick and had a good arm. Our eyes met and his narrowed, so I grinned at him.

We took our places and I vibrated with excitement, waiting for the snap. My fingers twitched and I ground my teeth into my mouth guard.

They hiked the ball and I took off like a rocket, heading straight for Zachary. He pulled back for a pass, but I didn’t give him time. I squeezed through two defenders and forced him to throw it away.

Hell yes.

Levi gave me a high five on my way back to the line of scrimmage.

Second down. My feet kicked up mud as I flew forward. Theo knocked into my shoulder, trying to keep me away from Zachary. I spun, letting my momentum carry me around, and two seconds later I was rushing Zachary again. He got off a pass but it was incomplete.

“Dude, did you hear I’m getting married?” I asked Zachary. I pointed out Skylar. “That’s my girl, right there.”

His brow creased, like he was confused. “So?”

“So, she’s one more girl you’ll never have.”

“Fuck off, Gavin.”

I laughed and went back to the line.

The crowd cheered as the Havens set up for third down. If we held them here, they’d have to punt, and we’d get the ball back. Then Asher could go to work.

I locked Zachary in my sights. We had this game. I could feel it.

They hiked the ball and my legs ate up the distance between me and Zachary. He side-stepped, then planted his feet, setting up for a pass. Not on my watch. He released the ball, but I jumped, reaching for it. My fingers caught the bottom, tipping it away. Another incomplete.

“Fuck,” Zachary bellowed.

I did a little celebration dance and waved at Sky again. She was on her feet cheering for me while Cara held the big umbrella out of her way.

The Havens had no choice but to punt, even though they were clearly pissed about it. We got the ball back and the energy of the game was definitely on our side. Three first downs in a row thanks to a pass to Evan, a pass to Logan, and a great run by Levi, and we were in scoring range. Two plays later, touchdown Baileys.

Unfortunately for us, the Havens came back strong on their next possession. They were ready for me, doubling up coverage on the line. Zachary completed a few good passes. Then they surprised us with a reversal to Josiah, and he ran it in. Touchdown Havens.

Fuck.

Tie game again and the clock was running down.