Chapter 44

FORTY-FOUR

My entire future rides on tonight.

Before Lexi, all I thought about was football. I lived and breathed the game until it was my whole identity, my whole purpose. Now, it’s fallen to third place as Lexi takes first spot with Lana a close second. My family is my sun, my reason for living, and tonight will determine if I can convince Lexi to not only take my last name someday in the near future, but also accept a life with me in the spotlight—because the nature of my career means I’ll never be completely free of the press, as much as I wish I could guarantee she’ll never be harassed by them again.

So to say I’m nervous would be a bit of an understatement. But I’m hoping with what I’ve got planned, I can give her some reassurances and convince her to say yes.

Her brows furrow with confusion when I pull up outside the club where we first met. Unlike that night, there’s no line down the block with people waiting to get in. But she doesn’t ask; she just places her hand in mine when I open the door and lets me guide her inside. I can’t begin to describe the thrill and joy that fill my body from her trust.

When we walk inside, she sucks in a sharp breath, her deep-blue eyes taking in every inch of the transformed space. It doesn’t look like it did the night we met. The lights are soft and dim, and the only thing on the dance floor is a table with her favorite flowers and candles in the middle. When we get closer, she spots the two bottles in ice on the side—one sparkling cider and one champagne.

She turns to me with a quizzical brow. “I know how much you cherish those moments with Lana when you breastfeed, so I didn’t want to presume you’d want to drink tonight. But if you want to pump and dump, then we’ve got champagne.” I never thought in a million years the words “pump and dump” would come out of my mouth—or that I’d even know what they mean.

She wraps her hand around the back of my neck and drags my mouth down to hers, and I don’t stop her because I’m dying for her lips. My hands instantly go to her hips, loving the baby weight she still carries. I know she’s insecure about it, but I find her insanely sexy, especially knowing she looks this way because she carried my baby. Maybe that makes me a caveman, but I don’t really care.

“Come on, let’s eat,” I say, reluctantly breaking our kiss. I scoot her chair in once she’s in her seat and then move to mine. A waiter appears from the back with our first course—oven-roasted tomato mozzarella bruschetta.

Her eyes light up. “How did you make this happen?”

I watch her take a bite, her eyes closing as bliss washes over her face, and my pants get uncomfortably tight. “Being rich has its perks, and I wasn’t lying the night we met when I said I was friends with the owner.”

Her eyes practically sparkle, and her smile makes me feel a little breathless. Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“I hope you know you didn’t have to go to all this trouble for me,” she says softly.

And that right there is why I will always go to “all this trouble” for her. Because she’s not with me for my money or the perks of my success. She’s with me for me. Now it’s time to give her the same reassurances.

I reach out and hold her hand. “This isn’t any trouble, Lex. I’d do so much more to make you happy. And the fact you don’t expect it just makes me love you more.”

Her cheeks get a light-pink blush, just as the next course—a small Caesar salad—is delivered. By the time our entrée of bacon-wrapped filet mignon is brought out, her brows furrow slightly. “This is my favorite.”

“I know.”

Her gaze meets mine. “So was the last course.”

“I know,” I say, my voice going deep. She’ll find all our courses tonight are her favorites, some of them things she never tried before we got together, but fell in love with instantly.

“But what about you?”

I rub my thumb over the smooth skin of her hand. “All I need is you, Lexi.”

I shift so I’m closer to her. “I love you, Precious. And not because of the baby, although I’m in awe of how incredible a mother you are and the gift you’ve given me of being a father. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t care about your baggage or the skeletons of your past—we all have them. Not a single one changes the way I feel about you.”

She nibbles her lip, and I hate the doubt that crosses her eyes before she drops her gaze to stare at where my thumb is rubbing against her hand.

“Lexi,” I urge, and I’m rewarded when she meets my gaze. “You’re it for me. I’ve never been happier than when I’ve been with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Despair fills her eyes. “But I’ve caused a rift in your family.” I open my mouth to cut her off, but she holds her hand up and barrels through. “You said yourself your brothers were two of your best friends growing up and told me stories of how close the three of you were, and now you’re not even talking to Tanner. I don’t understand how you can fully love someone who’s only brought turmoil to your life.”

“Are you sure about that?” My gaze holds hers for a moment before it shifts behind her, and my smile grows as the last part of my plan falls into place. She spins around and lets out a gasp.