Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

T hree weeks had passed since Dayton’s arrest, and I finally had my life back. No threats hung over my head, and I’d taken a long look at what I wanted. It wasn’t college. I’d kept my part-time job at the small café on Fall Lake University’s campus, for the time being. A lot of soul-searching determined that I enjoyed cooking, a treasured time with my uncle, the most. He’d taught me everything I knew.

I’d toyed with getting a job as a chef in a few restaurants in downtown Chicago, but I wasn’t sure that was the route I wanted to go. Kylian spent long hours with school, football, and watching film to prep for upcoming games. His drive and dedication were so admirable. I knew he would be okay with the long hours I would put in at a restaurant, but it didn’t feel right. Maybe I would go the route of a private chef. I was still deciding.

I finished putting the last couple of meals I’d prepped for Kylian’s roommates in the fridge. It had been fun adapting a meal plan for what athletes ate, and the guys showered me with compliments. That wasn’t why I cooked for them. It made me happy, and after everything I’d lived through, I’d vowed never to let anyone control me again.

Kylian’s mom loved the condo next to his. I’d helped decorate it and spent time with her often. We’d become friends, and I knew when Kylian and I moved, she would come with us wherever he was drafted. He and I were on the same page—life was short, and we wanted to spend it with those we loved. And the absolute best gift we’d gotten was that her cancer had finally gone into remission.

It was late, and the guys would return from practice and lifting soon. They had a big game the next day, and their coach had told them a few scouts would be there. Kylian had recovered, but he wasn’t back on the field yet—he was slotted to start next August. With a little more time, it had become clear that the injury to his right shoulder would change nothing about his outstanding athletic ability on the field—because he’d worked hard to make sure of it.

I loved going to the games to support Kylian and his friends, and I couldn’t wait for the next one. Well, I was excited about tonight too. We were going on a date, and he wouldn’t tell me anything except what to wear, which was something comfortable.

The door opened, and Ares walked in, dropping his backpack near the door. “It smells amazing in here.”

I grinned. “I just finished putting everything away. I thought you guys wouldn’t be back for another thirty minutes.” I peered around him. “Where are the other two?” It was still light out and would be for another hour or so.

“It’s just me.” A mischievous grin curved his mouth. “I’m supposed to take you to Kylian.”

“Okay.” That was new.

I went with Ares to his car. We drove for a while, chatting about classes and if he was dating anyone. He was not, something that always shocked me. Liam went through women like crazy, never to be seen with the same one twice. Ares was different. His drive and focus rivaled Kylian’s. And something was going on with his home life that I hadn’t quite figured out, despite meeting his mom and nephew. He kept things close. Sometimes, he would get a phone call and disappear without a word. I hadn’t lived in the condo long. I suspected he would confide in me eventually. I hoped so. He and Liam were important to Kylian, which meant they mattered to me too.

“Are you guys ready for the game tomorrow?”

We had the home advantage against Michigan. I was surprised Kylian wanted to go on a date with me the night before a game. He wasn’t playing, but he was always there for the team, on the sidelines, helping coach the stand-in starting quarterback. Friday nights weren’t meant for staying out late, but I doubted we would be long anyway.

I’d become addicted to going to his games. It was so different from watching them on TV. I’d known he was extremely gifted, but seeing him in action, up close and personal before the accident—thanks to the fantastic seats I had—was on a whole new level. Even if I wasn’t watching him, I loved the game and planned to cheer for the Fall Lake Ballers, especially Ares and Liam.

“Yeah, I’m ready. We all are.” Ares drummed his fingers against the wheel while we stopped at a light. “There’ll be scouts for teams actively looking for immediate positions to fill.”

“Kylian told me. Not just for a quarterback, but one of the teams desperately needs a tight end. Or maybe it was the same team? I can’t remember.” It was a tough hit for Kylian, as he wouldn’t be in the game. But I admired that he never let on that it bothered him because he was excited for his friends and teammates to have the opportunity.

“Coach didn’t say. It would be amazing to be picked up at the same time as Kyl, but I’m still planning on doing the Combine.” He grimaced. “I think any scout would be a fool not to pick him up early, injured or not.”

The combine wasn’t until February. The invitation-only NFL scouting combine was something Kylian planned on attending as well. He felt he would be in great shape to do so by then. I had no doubt he would get an invite.

At one point, he’d wanted to go straight into the NFL due to his mom’s escalating medical bills. The new treatment—the one that had effectively put her cancer in remission—had been a constant source of stress for him.

We fell into a comfortable silence, each of us lost in our thoughts until we pulled into a parking lot, and I looked around, realizing he’d driven me to the harbor.

My heart rate kicked into overdrive. “What’s going on?” I hadn’t been back to the boat since Dayton’s arrest.

Ares’s topaz eyes widened when he noticed my utter panic.

“It’s good. I promise. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t know you would like what Kylian had planned.”

“He’s on the boat?” I squinted, trying to make out Kylian through the fading light. I couldn’t see him, but I spotted Liam approaching us.

“Yep. He’s there. And I’m Liam’s ride home.”

“Okay.” I flashed Ares a shaky smile. “I guess that’s my cue to get out?”

Ares laughed and pulled me in for a quick hug. “I swear it’s all good. I’ll see you at home later.”

My door opened, and Liam stood waiting with a similar grin.

“Hey, Liam.” I didn’t wait for them to say anything more. I took a deep breath, walked with purpose up the plank, then stopped short. Kylian stood on the deck, a table for two with dessert and candles set up.

He offered me a hand, and I put mine in his much larger, calloused one as he helped me step on board. His big body crowded mine, and I felt a tug on my finger, but I couldn’t look away from the intensity of his powerful presence. Then his hands were on my hips, and heat curled inside me at his touch. He looked slightly nervous, which only made me more so.

“Hi.” I grinned. “What’s going on?”

“I wanted a date with you tonight, and the guys agreed to help out.”

“This is a lovely surprise.” The setup was romantic, but he was acting strange. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

“Yeah, better than okay. I was going to do this later, but I can’t wait. Our relationship?—”

“Fake relationship?” I cocked a brow, trying to inject a little humor into the seriousness of his expression making me anxious. What’s he getting at?

A grin curved his firm lips. “Yes, our fake relationship started on this boat, and I thought it would be fitting to take things to the next level here as well.”

I was more confused than ever. I’d already agreed to date him when we were there last. Oh… is he?

Kylian dropped to a knee, holding the engagement ring I’d given him back in the hospital. “There’s nothing fake about us. I think I knew you were the one the moment I saw you, even if I wasn’t ready to admit that. At least I was smart enough to lock you into a contract.”

An uncontrollable laugh escaped me. That was one way to put it, and I was so happy he had locked me into a legal entanglement. His expression turned serious, and I held still, waiting for what came next.

“You captured my attention from the start.”

Another laugh burst from my grinning lips. “As did you.”

He’d been naked, and there was no forgetting that swoon-worthy sight.

He chuckled. “You’re beautiful, Aurora, both inside and out. You’re my best friend. I look forward to everything we do together. You’re the first thought in my mind when I wake up and the last one before I go to sleep. I can’t imagine my life without you, and I’m so grateful that our paths crossed when they did. We’ve already faced incredible challenges, and through it all, we stayed together.” He winked.

Mostly. I got what he hadn’t said and grinned. I’d run when he’d tried to pressure me to announce our fake engagement. It was a terrible learned habit I’d broken—for him. I’d given my word never to do it again and would keep that promise.

“It’s why I know that whatever life throws our way, we’ll always come out on top together. When I go into the NFL and you pursue the career of your dreams, we’ll make an incredible team. I love you, Aurora. I know in my heart that you’re the one for me. Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” Happy tears rolled free. “I love you, Kylian. Everything about you—your smile, your laugh, your fierce protectiveness, your dedication and drive. I can’t imagine a day without you in it because you’re also my best friend. You’re the one for me.” I fell into his arms.

At some point, he slipped the ring on my finger. Then his lips were on mine, soft at first then insistent. Everything faded, except how right it felt to be in his arms. That was where I was meant to be—with him. And I knew that no matter where we ended up, or whatever challenges fell into our path, we would be together—a team.

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