Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(81)

William sighed and clapped me on the shoulder. “Well, it was a mistake I’ll never live down. All right, if that’s your choice I’ll leave you be. Just know that the offer still stands. I wish you the best, Cooper, and good luck out there. It’s going to be a good game.”

Yes, it is.

Once I joined my team out on the field, Joel discreetly sidled up to my side and cleared his throat; he actually sounded worried when he spoke, “So what did you decide? Are you going to go back to them?”

Before I could reply, Evan threw me my helmet and winked; the game was about to begin. Quickly, I turned to my uncle and did something I never thought I’d do out in front of everyone … I hugged him hard.

“You’re stuck with me, Joel. I’m not going anywhere.”

His arms tightened around my back. “That’s what I like to hear, son. Now go out there and show them what you can do. Go!”

I rushed off out onto the field and found Kate immediately. She was in the middle between Lara and Luke—wearing a Cougars jersey with my number—with the biggest grin on her face, waving and cheering my name. Seeing her made me smile, but also knowing Luke was going to hate me after today made me smile even wider.

“All right, boys, this is it,” I shouted at them. “Let’s kick some ass.”





Half-time approached and the score was tied. The guys left the field to recuperate while the show began in center field. Cooper said that Joel wanted to give them a pep talk during half-time, so instead of hanging out with him like I usually did during the games, I decided to stay with Lara and Luke.

“Don’t your motocross races start in the next couple of weeks?” I asked Luke.

All three of us had on Cougars jerseys, but instead of wearing Cooper’s number like Lara and I were doing, he had on Evan’s.

“Yes, and you promised to come to some of them, remember? I expect to see you at my first one,” he insisted boldly.

I nudged him in the side with my elbow. “I’ll be there, don’t worry. I want to see you win.”

“You’re damn right.”

Once the half-time show was over, we all took our seats and waited on the workers to move the stage off the field. “Guys, I’m kind of thirsty, do you want anything to eat or drink? I’m going to get something really quick before the game starts back up.” Lara shook her head, but Luke stood with me.

“I don’t want anything,” he said, “but I can go with you if you want.”

“No, that’s fine. I don’t mind going by myself. Besides, I don’t want Lara sitting by herself. I’ll be right back.”

Shrugging, he sat back down. “All right, it’s whatever you want.”

As I started down the stadium steps, my heart stopped and I froze as a voice echoed across the speakers, catching my attention. “Oh my God,” I gasped.

“Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Thank you for joining us here at the Bank of America Stadium. I’m Cooper Davis and I wanted to ask that you join me tonight as I do something I never thought I would do. There’s someone in the stands that I would really like to bring on this stage, and if you wouldn’t mind chanting her name that would be great. Maybe it would get her out here because I’m sure she’s probably cussing at me right now for putting her on the spot. Her name is Kate, everyone.”

Wide-eyed, I stood there on the steps like an idiot as the crowd shouted and cheered my name over and over, clapping their hands. “KATE! KATE! KATE! KATE! KATE!”

Lara clapped her hands and pointed straight at me. “There she is everyone!” she yelled.

Cooper chuckled. “Come on, Kate, they’re cheering for you, love. Get yourself out here.”

Biting my lip, I slowly descended the stairs and made my way out to the field. Cameras flashed all around and I smiled, hoping I didn’t look like an idiot. When I got to the stage, Cooper smiled and beckoned me closer. Dressed in his black and blue jersey with his hair mussed from his helmet, he was the sexiest quarterback I’d ever seen.

“What are you doing?” I whispered nervously.

He took my hands and kissed each one before dropping down on one knee. “I think you know, love.” The stands went wild as soon as he pulled out the black box from behind his back.

Putting a hand over my mouth, I gasped and cried, “Cooper, are you really doing this?”

He nodded his head and opened the box. “Yes, Kate, I’m really doing this. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You know how hard it was for me to change, but yet you stuck by me and always saw the good. You never gave up on me when so many others in my life did. Do you remember four months ago when I promised I would make it up to you for sticking by me for however long you wanted me?”

“Yes,” I whispered, “I remember. And I told you that you would be making it up to me for a really long time.”

Chuckling, he opened the black box to reveal a round cut diamond ring with blue sapphire side stones; it was beautiful.

“How about I make it up to you forever, love? I don’t want to let you go … ever.”

Cooper took the ring out of the box and slowly slid it onto my finger. When he got to his feet, he took my face in his hands and bent down so his lips were just a breath away from mine.