Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“Before, when I was on my pain meds, I acted like an idiot.” I speak up, loud enough for the crowd to hear me. “Which is no excuse, and you have every right to throw those flowers in my face because I’m a dick. I’m sorry. I’ll do better, but you have to know that without you, I’m a worthless piece of shit. If I never play another day of football, then that’s how it should be, but my biggest win was hearing you say you love me, and my biggest loss will be you walking away. So please, forgive me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
FRANKIE
Istare down at Kaden on his knees in front of me begging for forgiveness. So many emotions bubble up inside of me, but deep down, I knew he’d show up once he got his head on straight.
Kaden might have been a dick today; we all have our moments, but the man has won me over. So much so that I had trust in him to fix this. Jasper also laughed when I told him the whole story after my boss had to cut out early from our meeting.
The second he was gone from the table, Jasper said he knew something was up and made me spill, and spill I did. He wasn’t even mad about the lie because he said it wasn’t really a lie because he knew Kaden meant it when he said we were engaged. I believe that too.
At first I thought I was only a challenge for Kaden. That he liked me because I didn’t fall at his feet. That it was just a passing infatuation. As time went on, I realized I was a lot more than that.
Kaden has believed in us from day one. No matter how many hardballs I lobbed his way, he caught each one. He didn’t toss them back either. No, he returned each one to me with a kiss. Whoa, when did I turn into such a sap?
It’s probably all the girly stuff Kaden has been encouraging me to do. If I’m being honest, I think I’ve always been this way; I was just waiting for the right person to bring out this side of me.
“You made me cry.”
Kaden shoots to his feet, his eyes widening. “I made you cry?” His hands cup my face as he searches for the tears from the past, as if he could travel back in time and make it right. I bet he’d try.
“Almost. It was close,” I huff. “And I never said I love you. Where did you get that idea?” I do love him, but I’ve never spoken the actual words out loud. I mean I’ve thought them a lot, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“You love me.” He says it matter-of-fact.
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. Kaden fights a smile. “Don’t smile.” I poke his chest. “It’s not as though you’ve said it to me.”
“Kitten, you know I love you. I love you more than anything in this whole fucking world.”
“Do you love me enough to become a State Raider fan?” His brows lift.
“I, ah—”
“I’m fucking with you.”
“Oh thank God.”
“But—” I point my finger at him. “You do have to wear a State Raider shirt when you take me to the next game.”
“The next game.”
“Front row.”
“Any other demands?”
“Kiss her!” someone yells, intruding on our private moment. I want to give them a piece of my mind, but I keep my mouth zipped shut. I mean, if Kaden is willing to lay himself bare in front of all these people, who am I to stop him?
“Did she say yes?!” People continue shouting random things.
“I love you,” Kaden declares loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Then kiss me.” I smirk. “Everyone is watching, so make it good.” I don’t have to ask Kaden twice. His mouth comes down onto mine in a claiming kiss. I moan into his mouth, sinking my fingers into his hair. I can hear the cheers of the people, but I don’t give a shit. That is until Kaden dips me, his mouth still on mine.
“Kaden!” I hiss when I break the kiss. “Your arm.”
“Your love healed me.”
“You’re full of shit.” I laugh.
“Come on before I fuck you in the middle of the street and we’re all over TMZ.”
“TMZ?”
Kaden takes me by the hand, leading me back to his car. “Yeah, they can be a pain in the ass.” He opens the door for me. I grip his face and pull it down for another kiss.
“You’re a pain in the ass too, but I love you.”
Kaden’s whole face goes soft. “Love you too, Kitten.”
“No more fighting.” Kaden lifts a brow. “Okay, no more real fighting. Bickering is our foreplay.”
“I do enjoy riling you up.” I do too, especially when he then brings me back down.
“I missed you.” I know it was only a few hours, but I had.