Chapter Seventeen

Ryleigh Two Months Later Oh my God, I had no idea watching Alexei on the football field from my spot in the suite would be so incredibly stressful. I stand here, gripping the seat in front of me, my gaze glued to him on the field. My stomach is in knots and my palms are sweating.

I’m wearing the jersey Alexei bought me in his team colors—navy and gold—with his number embroidered on the back. Most of the wives and girlfriends in the suite are dressed similarly, and some even have the word Wifey printed across the back of their jerseys. It’s cute, and I wonder briefly if I’ll ever have one like that. The thought of it makes my belly tighten.

I almost brought Ella tonight, but now I’m glad I listened to Tracey’s advice and left her with Alexei’s mom at home. I’m sure Irina is glued to the TV, watching the big game.

Alexei’s three sisters are on their feet cheering, yelling out curses and encouragements that may as well be in a different language. It’s obvious they grew up around the game, and they know all the terminology that I don’t. Or maybe some of it is in Russian, who the hell knows. Nothing would surprise me with this family.

The only thing I know is that our team is down by three points, and it’s the final seconds of the game. And not just any game, but the big championship game that will determine the national champs.

Yeah, my stomach is in knots, to say the least. I’m so nervous and excited and anxious for Alexei.

“Get your fucking head out of your ass, Lex!” Tracey yells.

I’m sure he can’t hear her from our spot inside the suite, but I shake my head at her. “What’s going to happen now?” I don’t know all the rules of the game as well as I should—clearly.

Tracey rolls her eyes. “Either he stops them from advancing on this next play, or they hand over their balls to the other team.”

I nod. “Got it.”

So it all comes down to this. The crowd around us quiets, and the entire stadium is glued to this moment.

I take a deep breath, holding it in my lungs, and say a silent prayer. Come on, Alexei. You can do this. I know it.

I watch with wide eyes as his team gathers into formation. When they break, Alexei’s friend Weston Chase heaves the ball, his thick arm stretching as the ball releases, hurtling through the air in a perfect spiral.

My gaze returns to Alexei’s hulking form. He’s right in the middle of the pack, fighting off guys who are trying to advance toward the end line. It’s so incredible to watch him—his sheer size and strength—and seeing this version of him shoving at men even bigger than he is, so different from the soft and gentle guy I get at home. I smile, enjoying watching my man at work.

The crowd around me erupts into cheers, and the sound is deafening. Alexei’s sisters jump up and down, screaming, and it takes me a minute to understand what’s happening.

Oh my God. We won.

“We won!” I scream.

Tracey laughs. “We fucking did it!”

“Booyah, yes!” Valerie cheers.

The team gathers around the coach, and then Alexei charges toward the sideline. On instinct, I rush out of the suite and toward the field. Alexei tugs off his helmet and shares a hug with Weston. They’re shouting something to each other, and Weston is jumping up and down.

When Alexei sees me, his face breaks into a huge grin. He’s sweaty and dirty, but I’ve never seen him happier.

“Baby! Get over here.”

I rush into his arms, and we laugh and cry as we hug each other and kiss.

“You did it,” I say, nearly having to shout. It’s so loud in here.

“We did. I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.”

Alexei releases me and looks deeply into my eyes, cupping my face in his hands. He looks like he wants to say something, but instead, he drops to one knee in front of me. He takes my hands and nods to someone behind me.

Wait. What’s happening?

Before I can process or question what’s going on, Alexei looks up into my eyes and gives my hands a tender squeeze.

“I love you, baby. You and Ella. I want you to be mine. I want us to be a family. Forever. Will you marry me?”

Tears gather in my eyes. With all the commotion around us, his words barely register. People are still hugging and cheering and it’s pure chaos, but the best kind of chaos. I realize a cameraman has stopped to film us—Alexei in his uniform and my stunned face are being plastered on every giant screen around the dome. And that’s when it hits me.

“Oh my God, you’re proposing?” I bring a trembling hand to my lips.

He smirks. “That was kind of the plan. Win the game. Get the girl. Live happily ever after.”

Tears stream freely down my cheeks as I stare at him.

People are watching us. People in the stands, on the sidelines, Alexei’s teammates, his sisters . . .

Still on one knee, he gives a nod to his oldest sister, Ana, who walks over and hands him something small. It takes me a minute to realize it’s a ring, a beautiful diamond ring, and I’ve never seen a ring this pretty in my entire life. Alexei holds it up and meets my eyes.

I’m not sure if I expected him to pull the ring out of his tight uniform pants, but I’m sure those don’t even have pockets. And dear God, you don’t bring a ring like this onto a football field. It’s massive. At least three carats, and so sparkly and gorgeous. My heart is beating way too fast, and I suck in a big gulp of air.

“What do you say, baby? Will you marry me?”

The loving look in his eyes as he watches me makes my knees weak. “Yes!” I shout, and he breaks into a huge grin.

Alexei slides the ring onto my shaking finger, and I try desperately to wipe away the tears with my free hand.

“This is too much,” I say, admiring the way the bright lights catch the ring and make it shimmer.

He presses a kiss to my knuckles and then rises to his feet. “I wanted you to have the best.”

“Bossy,” I say, bringing my mouth to his.

The entire stadium erupts into cheers, almost even louder than when the team scored the winning touchdown. My heart feels so full and happy, it could burst. Alexei sweeps me up into his arms and kisses me—really kisses me, devouring my mouth like no one is watching—and I melt into him. The cheers grow even louder, and we finally break apart, laughing.

“You need a shower,” I say, patting his butt.

“Come with me.” His eyes are mischievous and bright.

I chuckle. “I don’t think so.”

“Fine. Wait for me?” he asks.

“Always.”

He presses one last quick kiss to my lips before hugging each of his sisters. I watch him walk away toward the locker room with some of his teammates, who are patting him on the back and congratulating him. I can’t help but think about his mother, who likely just watched the entire proposal on TV.

His sisters pull me into a group hug, and Valerie, the youngest, is crying she’s so happy. It’s beyond sweet. I haven’t felt part of a family in so long that tears spring to my own eyes again.

I can’t even imagine what my life would be like right now if Alexei hadn’t stopped that night on the street—if he hadn’t intervened with that guy outside the club. I shudder when I picture it.

“Alexei! Wait!” I call, jogging over to where he stands at the edge of the field before he heads to the locker room.

He turns and sees the emotion written all over my face. I run straight into his arms and plaster my face against his neck. He lifts me and I wrap my legs around him, clinging to his muscular frame like he’s my safety, my security, because he really is.

“Thank you. I love you so much.”

He pulls back and cups my face with one hand. “I love you too. You and Ella. You’re mine now, okay?”

“Da.” I nod.

He breaks into deep laughter, chuckling at my use of Russian. “You’re the best. See you in a minute, okay? I promise I won’t smell so bad when I come back out.”

“You know I don’t mind your smell, but yes, I’ll be waiting with your sisters.”

“They’re your sisters now too.”

A fresh wave of emotion hits, and my throat feels tight. “See you in a minute.”

I rejoin his sisters—my sisters—in the suite, where they promptly all lose their minds over how stunning my ring is. I have never felt happier or more loved in my entire life, and I never want this feeling to end.