The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football)(105)

At Thanksgiving, I proposed to Hazel.

She said yes, and we’re slated to get married under the oak tree next summer. According to Dad, there’s a honeymoon trip Pops planned out, you know . . . just in case. We plan on taking it. I can’t wait to hear him say, “I told you so.”

“Are you ready for tonight?” Hazel asks, her hand traveling up my chest, the glint of her ring shining in the light. Mom gave me her mom’s ring to propose with, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful. Generations of love all surrounded by one ring.

“I think I am. Are you?”

“I believe so. I have a stock of tissues on hand.” She chuckles. “Why did we decide to share the recording of Pops reading ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas with everyone?”

“Because we’re not the only ones who miss him this time of the year.”

This year’s Christmas festivities have led to tonight, Christmas Eve.

We’re calling tonight the Festivity of Family and Friends. The tickets are sold out, have been for weeks. It will be a dimly lit night of cheerfulness, with a hint of magic in the air. We’ll light up the farm with twinkle lights, sing Christmas carols, play Christmas Eve games, have an appearance from Santa, and of course, indulge in some Lebkuchen—homemade from our kitchen. Hazel and I spent months perfecting the recipe and have been selling it all winter. It’s been a huge moneymaker for us, along with the Schneeballen we decided to make as well.

The night will end with everyone hovering around a bonfire while Pops reads to us. A grand finale I’m sure no one will be expecting, not even my parents.

“I can’t wait.”

She stands on her toes and presses a kiss to my jaw. “I love you, Crew.”

“I love you, Twigs.” I smooth my hand over her hair. “This time next year, we’ll be married.”

“According to your uncle Paul, he’s hoping to have grand nieces andnephews soon from us.”

I snort. “He has some time before that happens.”

Hazel raises a brow. “So, if I were to tell you that I was pregnant right now, you wouldn’t be happy?”

My heart stutters in my chest as my eyes widen. “You’re . . . you’re what?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “Just kidding, but glad to know where you stand.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Hazel, you know I fucking love you, but I want to enjoy my twenties for a little while longer before we bring children into the picture.”

“Me too. It’s why I’m religious about taking my birth control. The way you’re always pawing at me, I use extreme caution.”

I chuckle and lower my mouth to her neck, kissing along its column. “Do you blame me? You’re fucking beautiful and you’re all mine. Which means, I want you every moment I can have you . . . like right now.”

Her hand connects with my chest and she pushes me away, giving me a stern look. “I told you to keep it in your pants until later, Smith.” She points her cute little finger at me. “I have a very nice Christmas present planned for you later. Don’t make me take it away.” Leaning forward, she whispers, “It involves your penis in my mouth.”

I laugh and hold my hands up. Fuck. And I’m not meant to visualize that for the rest of the night?

“Can’t jeopardize that. I’ll keep it in my pants until then.” I pull her in for one more kiss and then link my hand with hers. “Okay, you ready for this?”

“Ready.”

Together, we walk downstairs, where we find Uncle Paul hovering over the cookies, Mom and Dad next to him sharing a Schneeballen, and I can feel Pops’s presence. He’s here, with us, because he brought this all together. He brought us joy. He brought us romance. And he brought us a lifetime of happily ever afters.



THE END





Keep reading for a link to a FREE BOOK, Mr. Klein is Fine, and for excerpts from Crew’s best friends’ (River and Hollis) stories.





More books from The Kings of Football Series:

The Revenge Pact - by Ilsa Madden Mills

The Relationship Pact - Adriana Locke





Excerpt - The Revenge Pact





River





“Why is the elevator so slow?” she mutters.

“Tell me three things you’re grateful for,” I say.

She does a double take. “Is this where I’m like your…pet project? Don’t feel sorry for me.”

Rainbow, sorry is the last thing I feel for you.

I want you under me.

Deep and hard.

There aren’t enough minutes in the day for how long I want to fuck you.

She blows out a breath. “Fine. I can see you aren’t going to budge. One, June is still around. Sam is keeping her low key. Two, I finished my paper, and three, I got off work to go on the ski trip.”

“How are things with Donovan?”

Her throat bobs. “I-I can’t talk to you about him. I mean, yeah, um, it…doesn’t feel right, you know, to him.” A sigh escapes her lips.

Right. He’s her boyfriend and my frat brother.

The door opens and she slips out, her arm brushing against my chest. I follow, sucking down the electricity between us. “I just wanted to check in—”