Risky Play (Red Card #1)(73)

A tear slid down my cheek, then another.

He continued. “She fought back, she told me what a jackass I was, she let me feel my pain, and she fed me . . .” Everyone burst out laughing. “I’m serious! She fed me casseroles, brought me coffee. She took care of my dog, but really, she was helping me heal bit by bit, until I finally pulled my head out of my ass and realized that this woman, this beautiful, talented, amazing woman was right in front of me . . . all I had to do was reach out.” He cupped my chin. “She was the partner my father always promised I’d find.”

“And Slade was the adventure I always wanted,” I said with a shaky breath.

He didn’t turn away from me. “There’s been a lot said about me, about Mack—but this is our truth. I love her. I love her so much that I would quit soccer if she asked, I’d walk away from my life’s greatest joy. Because without her, there is no joy. Because somehow I was lucky enough to get her, and she fulfills me in ways soccer never will. She’s everything.”

I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“Mack . . .” He knelt down on one knee. “Marry me.”

“What!” I exploded.

“Marry me.” He smiled so bright, then dug into his pocket and pulled out a five-karat solitaire that looked like it had its own zip code. “Marry me in Mexico, let me take you back to the vacation we should have had together—marry me on our cliff. Be by my side . . . and forgive me for ever doubting your love and trust.”

It was too soon. Logic told me this. My own stupid rationale told me this.

But it felt right.

I’d known Alton my whole life. And it had been wrong.

I’d known Slade for weeks—and it was so right my heart came alive in my chest.

“YES!” I shouted as he jumped into the air and twirled me around, kissing me soundly in front of all the cameras as they snapped our picture.

Matt whistled from his spot in the room.

And right next to him. Holding Alfie.

Was Jagger.

With a smile on his face.





Epilogue

MACKENZIE

Waves crashed against the rocky cliff. The salty warm breeze wrapped itself around me and then strong arms were pulling me back against an even stronger chest. Slade’s mouth pressed kisses down my neck. “Was it everything you wanted?”

I smiled and let out a satisfied sigh. “Well, the groom didn’t bail and I only cried happy tears, so what do you think?”

“Sorry that Alfie went the wrong way down the aisle.”

I burst out laughing.

“And”—his voice cracked with amusement—“sorry that Jagger felt the need to stand up in the middle of the ceremony just because he wanted to freak you out.”

I laughed even harder and turned in his arms. “I’ve never seen you look so angry.”

“Bastard’s still upset about shaving some of his hair.”

I shrugged. “It just makes him look more mysterious.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Second thoughts?”

“Nope.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “In fact, my only thought right now is how in the heck I managed to jump off this cliff in the first place without freaking out.”

“I’d like to point out I was the one swearing and freaking out.” Slade pulled away then shrugged out of his white linen shirt. “Ready?”

I bit down on my lower lip. “Is this a bad idea?”

“Now you ask?” He grinned, his golden eyes heating every inch of my body as that grin spread over his face like I was the most perfect thing he’d ever seen. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t you the one that said, ‘Hey, Slade, you know what would be great? An epic wedding picture of us jumping off that cliff.’ To which I replied, ‘Never again, no.’ To which Matt said, ‘Just think of the publicity.’”

“I was wrong.” Matt came up behind us and peered over the cliff. “A man can admit when he’s wrong. This wasn’t a smart decision. In fact, I think we should all go back to the hotel and drink.”

“Scared?” Jagger joined us, already shirtless with nothing on but his linen pants and bare feet. “Think of it as an adventure, Matty.” He slapped him on the back. “Plus, nobody likes a guy that colors inside the lines. Live a little.”

“Oh, I live a lot,” Matt grumbled. “At least when I’m not babysitting.” He grinned at both of them, then gave them a pointed stare for good measure just to make sure they understood who he meant.

“Ready?” I asked Slade in a nervous voice.

He interlaced his fingers through mine and then kissed the back of my hand. “Name one thing you would have done differently.”

“One thing,” I repeated with a grin.

“Just one.”

“I already did it—I kissed you.” I leaned up on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “And then I jumped.”

“And then we jumped,” he corrected as we both leaped off the cliff amidst screaming, followed by our friends.

When the cold water hit me all I heard was swearing from Matt and Jagger, but all I saw was my husband’s face as he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me and whispered, “I’ve never been so thankful for engine failure in my entire life.”