Page 96 of Coastal Rewind

“You know the deal.” She winked at me.

Something I learned about Lottie Kelly was that her and her entire family had a gambling problem. One night, after a few too many drinks at a Sunday dinner, she made a bet with me that if we won the World Series, I had to get down on one knee in front of the entire crowd.

Nolan called me a sucker but I saw it as a win-win. Either I left tonight with a championship ring and a fiancée, or I left here with the love of my life and a plan to propose in the next few weeks. Either way Ryleigh was going to be my wife.

Owen shook his head but his smile was huge. Lottie tipped his backward Sparrows hat on his head so it was crooked and smirked up at him.

I grabbed Ryleigh’s hand and dragged her into the crowd at home plate where the media was gathered around our coach. I didn’t interrupt them, but they all turned when I placed Ryleigh in the perfect spot and dropped to my knee.

She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “Mason,” she whispered.

“Ryleigh Kelly, I’ve known that you were special since that night on the boat when little MJ fell asleep in your arms. I’ve known I was in love with you since I walked into my house after the first away trip and found you and MJ doing yoga on the patio. I have fallen more and more in love with you every day since. I love your spirit. I love the way you support the ones you love with everything you have. I love your flaws and I love your art. You said you were never going to be a mom, but what you didn’t realize is that you were already becoming one. Join our family forever, Sunshine. Marry me.” I flipped open the box and held it up.

Ryleigh screamed, “Yes,” and launched herself into me.

I stood and her legs wrapped around my middle. The entire country watched us as I grabbed the back of her head and crashed my mouth onto hers. I was literally disgusting. I smelled like I’d been sweating for hours. My face had black paint smudged on my cheeks and my uniform was a rainbow of brown and green stains. But this was the perfect moment.

We were bombarded by reporters and photographers but I ignored them all so I could pull the ring out of the box and slide it onto her finger where it would sit until we grew old together with our family.

Ryleigh and I were always meant to be. Our paths were difficult but if we hadn’t followed them the way we had then we may have never found our way to each other, and then this wild chaotic life wouldn’t be mine.

I wouldn’t give this up for anything in the world.

forty-one

Ryleigh

I looked around at the empty house and wrapped my arms around myself. This was so weird. The Malibu house was a staple of the Kelly family. This house had seen it all. It lived through each of our love stories. It was always there when we needed it.

People probably thought we were crazy, but this house was like a part of the family. It was home. We may not have been raised here but most of us grew up here. Those kinds of memories stick with you for a lifetime.

Aiden and Rori finished the renovations on their new house which meant they had officially moved out. The property was beautiful. It was only a few minutes’ drive from the hospital and had a free standing garage that was perfect for Aiden’s carpentry business. The pieces were falling into place but that meant they were moving on.

Every Kelly sibling was settled down and happy. No one was left. All grown up.

Nolan pushed through the front door with bags in hand followed by the rest of the family. He dumped the bags on the counter and fished out a bottle of tequila.

“All right, kids, time for one last rager in the Malibu house.”

“Seriously, though, I can’t believe you launched yourself off the balcony into the pool. That was so stupid.” Keegan slapped Nolan on the arm as he sputtered tequila after taking a sip.

“At least I didn’t get two black eyes.” He winked at Maggie.

She scoffed. “They healed eventually.”

“You’re still beautiful, Rox.” He planted a loud kiss on her cheek as she pushed him off her with a giggle.

“You all have so many memories here,” Lottie said as she cuddled into Owen’s side. “That’s so special.”

We’d spent the last two hours sitting on the floor in the empty living room recounting story after story of all the years we spent here. Stories like Maeve sneaking in boys that had Colin getting possessive. Stories like Owen getting stoned for the first time and wandering around the pool deck for three hours thinking he was lost. Stories like Maggie and Keegan sitting with Maeve as she cried after her first heartbreak. Everyone in the circle had a memory to share, even me.

“This was our home.” Keegan looked out in the direction of the open patio doors where you could faintly hear the crashing waves over our music.

“I had my first kiss in this house.” Owen smirked.

“I lost my virginity in this house.” Maeve clapped as our brothers all groaned. Maggie raised her red Solo cup with a cheer.

“I fell in love in this house.” Keegan smiled up at Luke.