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She shrugged. “I’ve spent a good part of my life watching sports from the stands. I’ve always thought there was something incredibly romantic about kissing the game winner at the end of the game.”

“Oh, so this is a general fantasy, not an Everett-specific one?” I teased.

But a wistful look came over her face. “I have a feeling the longer we’re together the more we’ll look back and realize how very blind we were to the obvious. If you asked me back then, I had no feelings for you and I was absolutely not fantasizing about running into your arms. But now? I think I was; I just couldn’t admit it to myself.”

I let my hand wander up her fabulous body to her chin. “Insert me into all those memories. They’re mine now.” I kissed her before she could say anything else. I wanted to rewrite so many memories. Every time we looked back we either saw what we were ignoring or realized there was a point where things could have gone very differently.

She slowly pulled away, looking up at me with hazy eyes. “Don’t you need to change?”

“I do. How is your dad?” I glanced behind her, but I didn’t see him or any of the Tangerines.

“He’s uh, fine.”

I didn’t like the change in her tone. She sounded upset. “Willa?”

She sighed. “I told him we’re dating. He’s…he’s…”

Well shit. I didn’t see that one coming even though I should have. Willa’s dad was friendly, but he was Willa’s dad first and foremost. “Not a fan of our relationship?”

“He has concerns.” Another huff. “He’s using you. He’s mad about Beth and you’re an easy target.”

I couldn’t blame the man. I kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about it. With a little time he’ll come around.” When he saw that I was dedicated to making Willa happy for the rest of her life, and that I was more than willing to take the fall in a complicated situation, he’d forget he ever had a problem.

“Everett.”

“Willa. He’s going through some shit. You’re going through some shit. I’m the only one not going through something. I’m okay with being stuck in the middle.”

“I don’t want him to be upset with me.”

I tucked my finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet mine. “And why would he be upset with you?” I would be chill unless he upset Willa.

Then all bets were off.

“Because I’d rather sleep in your bed tonight. But I can’t if he’s upset. I don’t want him mad at me.”

To hell with that. “Babe, we’re a couple now. We’ve known each other for years. You’re sleeping in my bed tonight because that’s where you want to sleep. Period.”

She was silent for nearly a minute before she nodded. “You’re right. And maybe the space will be good for us. He can stew and I can sleep.”

I grinned. “Does my girl sleep better with me?”

Her eyes got that dreamy look again. “It seems I do.”

In the locker room everyone went about their usual post-game routine but there was a different buzz to the air and I could swear everyone was looking at me whenever I turned my back. When the reporters came around I answered their questions and did my bit, but I still felt the eyes. I also noticed that no one had left. Usually it was a sprint out the door.

“Okay what gives?” I asked as soon as the last camera left the room.

Wes closed the door and stood guard, nodding at Seth, who took center stage. “We just thought it was time the whole team knew the good news, seeing as all the VIPs have now been informed of your big life change.”

Rhett Ryan glared at me. Hunter seemed curious. Wes, Chris, and Erik all grinned.

“Why didn’t you tell them yourself? What’s with all the drama?” Attention I was fine with. Drama…not so much.

“Because,” Seth slung his arm over my shoulders, “you deserve to be celebrated. Especially after throwing such a fine inning.”

“What’s the life change?” Rhett growled. “Hope is in town. I would much rather be with her than you fuckers.”

Everyone kept staring. Apparently the only way out of this was to play the part Seth designed for me. This was probably pay back for the other day anyway. “Fine. I’m dating Willa Cooper. Now you all know.”