Play Maker (Bitsberg Knights Duet)

I laughed as we broke apart. She squeezed me tight. “You did it! You were amazing!” She turned to the cameras, still beaming, and pointed at my chest. “He’s amazing!”

The reporter laughed softly and nodded. “You’ve gone from a third-string, career bench rider, to the star quarterback of not just the season, or your league, but the Super Bowl! And what a finish! What are you thinking? How does it feel?”

“I just—I’m so grateful—” I clung tightly to Shelby and searched for words powerful enough to express the joy and gratitude radiating through me. I shook my head, too overcome with emotion to find my voice. “This win isn’t just about these last few games. It’s about the work put in all season, from every single player on this team. I know, even for myself, as some player no one even knew about, I was still there, putting in the work, and I think that’s the lesson here. You know? Put in the work and be ready for your name to get called up.”

The reporter fired off her next questions. “What are you going to do next? Where do you go from here?”

I grinned down at Shelby before glancing back up at the reporter. “It looks like I’m getting a ring, but I think it’s high time I go ring shopping for this sexy woman right here.”

“Ross!” Shelby slapped a hand across her mouth.

“Oh, and then we’ll go to Disneyland.”

Shelby laughed with the reporter as she stared up at me, shaking her head. “You’re crazy.”

“Maybe.” I grinned down at her and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I get paid a shit ton of money to say that. Besides, don’t you want to lead a parade down Main Street?”

“Sure!”

“So, what do you say?”

“To what? The ring, the parade or Disneyland?”

“Here, this oughtta clear it up,” I said, dropping to one knee. “Shelby Markson, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, and most of the time I wander around wondering how the hell I got so lucky to catch your eye. I couldn’t do any of this without you. So please, do this poor sap a favor and agree to be my wife.”

Shelby laughed even as tears splashed down her cheeks. I held my breath, waiting for that all important answer, and when she nodded, something burst inside of me, like fireworks, cannons, and a dam all going off at once.

“Yes! Ross, oh my gosh!” she shouted, loud enough for everyone on the field to hear before collapsing into my arms. “Yes!”

Epilogue

Ross

Today was the day I’d always dreamed about. We’d only been back in town for a few days, but the Superbowl parade down Main Street was set to draw the biggest crowd in the history of Bitsberg.

I patted my right front pocket for the millionth time since I’d put the engagement ring in there. I pretty much sealed the deal on Superbowl Sunday, but I didn’t have a ring stuffed in my football uniform. I had planned to give it to Shelby at some point during the parade. I hadn’t seen her since I’d returned home the night before. We talked and texted constantly, but the Superbowl MVP had a few extra requirements with the league and media.

The four-year contract I signed with the team owner, Jace Reed, in his private plane yesterday made things even more surreal. It was hard to believe that I wasn’t even sure if I had a future in football a few short weeks ago. Now I was looking at more than a hundred-million-dollar deal over four years with a million-dollar signing bonus. They would trade Tom Brandon off and the Knights were mine.

I shook my head in amazement at the crazy money they threw at me. My agent just smiled and kept pushing papers for me to sign. He was star struck by the sudden VIP treatment and was sucking up every bit of the song and dance they gave us about the deal. When all was said and done, my—and Shelby’s—financial future was beyond belief.

I fished out the fancy box from my pocket and opened it. The two karat solitaire shone like the sun and fire all mixed together. It would be perfect on Shelby’s finger.

I was looking for something sensible and ended up buying the most expensive ring in the store. I’d looked at dozens of rings before they showed me this beauty. When I saw it, I knew right away it belonged on Shelby’s finger.

When I saw the total, I chuckled at the absurd price for this most perfect ring. But I knew Shelby was worth every penny. So I signed my name on the dotted line with no problem and wondered if the bank had increased my purchasing limit recently because the ring cost more than my truck.

My phone buzzed again. Chance’s name popped up on the screen, so I picked up the call. “What up bitches?” I’d never been known to use the word bitches, but somehow today it felt right. Yeah, I was in a good mood, and something told me Chance would be too.