Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“You especially, Iris,” Ava adds, wagging a finger at me. “Make those whammies extra good ones.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I raise my arm toward Vanessa and Maverick in the back, signaling to them. And when I finally catch their attention, they join everyone else in Roman’s box in our common mission of wiggling our fingers and sending whammies to the Knights’ quarterback.
My eyes drift to Roman again. He’s pacing on the sideline like an angry bear at the zoo—one being teased with a steak. My man did everything in his power to secure victory tonight, but now, his fate is totally out of his hands.
While I’m watching him, Roman unexpectedly looks up toward the box. His helmet is off now, so I can see his face. He’s drenched in sweat and scowling, looking equal parts exhausted and pissed off. But even in this state, the second our eyes meet, he blows me a kiss and motions like his heart is beating out of his chest. I blow him a kiss and shoot him a thumbs-up, letting him know he’s got this, that I’ve got unwavering faith in him and the Thunderbolts’ destiny, and he nods his appreciation before looking away with his chest heaving and sweat trickling down his forehead.
The commercial break ends, and the ball is kicked off uneventfully. Everyone lines up, this time with the Knights on offense and Roman watching helplessly from the sideline.
The Knights’ center snaps the ball to his talented quarterback, who drops back and scans the field for a miracle. Surely, he’s looking for Marco, his favorite target. But it’s not meant to be. The quarterback gets pummeled to the ground before releasing the ball, sending the ball skating across the turf before a Thunderbolt pounces on it and hangs on for dear life.
A referee confirms the Thunderbolts have recovered the fumble . . . and the clock runs out . . . which means the good guys, with Roman Maguire as their fearless leader, have now officially won the game!
The next few minutes are a blur of happy tears, screams, and hugs. If I weren’t hanging on to Luca’s arm through most of it, I’d surely pass out onto the sticky, beer-covered floor.
“Come on, Iris,” Roman’s father, Edward, says, grabbing my hand. “Time to go to Roman on the field.”
I check to make sure Vanessa’s got Maverick. When we talked earlier about a possible victory tonight, Roman said he didn’t want Maverick coming onto the field in front of all the cameras and people, and we all agreed that was for the best.
My eyes meet with Vanessa’s and she quickly signals she’s got Maverick firmly in hand, so I take Edward’s offered arm and let him pull me, along with the rest of the family and Cameron, toward a cadre of waiting security guards.
Insanity.
Breathtaking chaos.
That’s what greets us when we make it onto the field.
There’s confetti all over the ground and floating in the air. Loud, celebratory music blaring. Swarms of camera operators and reporters jockeying for position. People, people, people, everywhere.
Not surprisingly, a throng of reporters, cameras, and booms presently surround Roman and Coach Hardy as they exchange tearful words about twenty yards from where my group has come to a stop. Surely, those reporters are beaming out every emotional word between the pair to the world in real time.
When the short exchange between Roman and his beloved coach ends, Roman moves on to hugging Marco, who’s been waiting nearby for his moment. Marco looks defeated and exhausted in this moment, but even so, he manages a wide, tearful smile for his cousin before enthusiastically embracing him. If Marco was going to lose to anyone, I’m sure he’s glad it was his beloved Romie.
A tearful Nicola offers a quick peck to Roman’s cheek, but soon, Roman locks eyes with our group and heads toward us as that pack of reporters moves in lockstep with him.
Before Roman reaches us, he turns to the nearest camera and shoves three upside-down fingers into its lens. Apparently, Roman wants his son to know his daddy is thinking about him, even now, in this one-of-a-kind moment.
Finally, Roman makes it through the throngs of people to reach our group, at which point he energetically hugs both of his parents, followed by Levi and Cameron. When he gets to Luca, I can’t help noticing Luca covertly handing Roman something. Something that fit neatly inside Roman’s palm. What was that? Did I imagine that? I can’t fathom what it could have been.
My thoughts are interrupted when Roman takes me into his arms. Suddenly, I forget all about whatever that possible handoff might have been. “You did it!” I shout into Roman’s ear so he can hear me above the pandemonium. “I’m so proud of you, baby!”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Roman replies, squeezing me tight. “I love you so much.” He kisses me deeply, and as he does, the world melts away. When Roman finally releases me, I’m expecting him to kiss my cheek and jog off to his next destination. But to my shock, he takes both my hands, kneels before me, and holds up a ring box displaying a massive, dazzling whopper of a diamond ring nestled in black velvet.