Page 64 of Offsides

Cowboy pulled her flush with him, kissing her softly. It only lasted a second, but Theo felt it way down deep in her bones, knowing that it would stay with her forever.

“Sorry to interrupt your moment,” Felicity said, appearing by their side. “But I need Theo’s help.”

“Mine?” Theo looked at the bride-to-be, eyes wide in shock. Cowboy nodded at the two of them, his smile growing wider, making a quick exit to go join Gunnar.

“We have most everyone here. My brother will walk me down the aisle, Talia is going to be my maid of honor, Cowboy is Gunnar’s best man. But my best friend, Sax, and my mentor, Heather, are in Atlanta, and Cullen is in St. Thomas. It’s the middle of the night there, but I don’t want them to miss this. So, I'm hoping that you have that little camera of yours on you and would be willing to film the ceremony.”

Theo was stunned. “You want my help with the wedding?”

“Of course! I should have thought to ask when we texted y’all to get over here, but my head was still swimming from our last-minute decision. I totally understand if you don’t have the camera on you.”

“No, I..I do,” Theo stumbled, raising the shoulder her tote bag was thrown over to indicate it was in there. She hadn’t meant to bring it, but it was in the bag from being at the game today, and she didn’t have time to remove it before they rushed over. Turned out, that was a blessing in disguise. “I just don’t know why you would want me to do it.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re the natural choice here. Not only are you in TV, so you know how to film things, but you’re with the best man, so…”

Opening her mouth to object, Theo stopped herself. She was with the best man. She might not have a name for what they were, but that didn’t change that they were together and that real feelings were involved. It also didn’t change the fact that Felicity Sutherland, owner of the Atlanta Rising, knew that the reporter she’d allowed inside her organization had crossed the line and was fucking her staff member.

“Theo, I don’t care that you two have crossed some professional boundary. Actually, that’s not true. I do care. A lot. Because I love that you two are together. You have no idea how good you are for him. And truthfully, I don’t have a whole lot of room to talk. I’m about to marry my head coach.” Felicity laughed, stepping in closer and lowering her voice so no one else could hear them. “I just hope this isn’t a ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ thing, because I really want us all to be able to hang out and double date once we’re back in Atlanta.”

Theo blushed. This was the last thing she was expecting from Felicity, ever. Much less just before the woman was about to get married. It made her happy though that Cowboy’s friends were so accepting of her, and that they wanted her to be a part of their world.

“It’s not just a ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ thing—at least I don’t think so,” Theo admitted.

“Good. I’m sure it won’t be easy with your job and his history, but I trust that you two will figure it out. Gunnar and I did, and if we can, anyone can.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to hear.”

“Anytime. Now, what do you say, be my makeshift wedding videographer?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you!” Felicity squealed, embracing Theo. Returning the gesture, Theo took a deep breath, allowing herself to enjoy this moment. “Alright y’all, time to get married!”

* * *

Standing next to Gunnar under the white archway at the front of the chapel was more than a little surreal for Cowboy. He’d been through so much with the man to his right, both on and off the pitch, and if someone had ever told him a Vegas wedding would be in store for one of them, Cowboy would have laughed. That said, he also couldn’t have been more honored to be the one standing here in this moment.

When Gunnar loved, he did it fiercely—this Cowboy knew. Right now that love was displayed proudly all over every inch of him, watching Dalton escort Felicity down the aisle.

“Fuck me, she’s gorgeous,” Gunnar muttered.

Cowboy did have to admit his boss looked beautiful, a soft pink dress hugging her curves. Her bright smile was lighting up the room, the love she felt for Gunnar radiating off her.

She was nothing compared to the brunette who followed them up the aisle, camera in hand, filming the happy couple. Cowboy’s heart squeezed, loving that Theo was a part of the action. A part of his life. Of all the emotions swimming around in his chest right now, all the really powerful ones were directed at her.

“We’re gathered here today to witness the marriage of Felicity and Gunnar,” the officiant said.

Cowboy did have to hand it to the couple—at least this gentleman looked normal, dressed in a black suit with a black dress shirt. There wasn’t a single Elvis or Dolly Parton impersonator in sight. Leave it to Felicity Sutherland to ensure that even her Vegas wedding was classy.

“If anyone has a reason these two should not be wed, please keep it to yourself,” he continued. The small group laughed, Liam letting out a whoop. “Now, before we get to the traditional vows, I understand the couple have written their own. So, without further ado, ladies first.”

“Gunnar,” Felicity started, her voice cracking with emotion. “I love you. That’s not something I ever thought that I would say to another person and mean it in all the ways that I do. You turned my world upside down the day you walked into it, and then again at that little table in San Antonio. You are my rock, my center, and you make me want to be a better woman. I can’t wait to be your wife and have our little family be complete.”

Felicity tossed a look over her shoulder, smiling at Talia.

“Effie, you brought me back to life. I was just going through the motions until you bulldozed your way in and set me straight. Our family wouldn’t be a family had you not jumped in and decided that we were a unit. You are the strongest woman I know, and I couldn’t ask for a better role model for my—our—daughter to have. I love you, and I look forward to loving you for the rest of time.”

Cowboy blinked, fighting back tears he was not prepared for. The love between these two was so strong, so palpable, he couldn’t help but feel a little envious. This was what he wanted. A love so strong that everyone in the room could feel it when they saw the two of you looking at each other. He wanted to feel so strongly about a woman that nothing else on this planet mattered, except her.