Epilogue
CASEY
SIX MONTHS LATER
The combine, draft and graduation were all behind me. I had one hell of a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders plus a future with my hot mechanic to look forward to. But first, we had to get through a meeting of the parents, since my parents were here visiting for my graduation.
With the preparations for ASU’s appearance in the Sun Bowl, I’d opted out of taking Ryker home for Christmas to meet them. Plus, I knew they’d be here for graduation.
I stood in the bathroom, primping my hair and examining the sheer white button-down covering my upper body and my white linen shorts. I wanted to look nice, but it was already hot as fuck outside. Did I look like I’d dressed for a wedding?
Stepping in behind me, Ryker draped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. “You look fabulous, babe.”
“Yeah?” I glanced at his wrist, the bracelet I’d bought him from Sedona wrapping around it.
It had all started there. Turning, I kissed his cheek and flung my arms around his neck.
“We should return to Sedona when this is over.” A grin teased my lips.
“My signing bonus won’t spend itself.” And holy fuck, it was a lot of money.
I didn’t have to be in Henderson until July for the rookie camp.
“We need it to start the auto repair franchise.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “And you promised your mom you’d come home for a few weeks.”
“And you’re coming with me for at least a week. I’ve already spoken with Dylan.” The number of days he’d spend in California with me had been an ongoing spat, but I wasn’t letting him back out of it. “You know Dylan and Ian will be fine by themselves. The shop’s always slower in the summer.”
“Yeah, I know.” He smirked and stepped back, dropping his arms. “Come on, let’s get the meeting of the families over with.”
My gaze raked over him, his long hair pulled into a ponytail and his deep blue shirt fitted to his slender body. “You look stunning.” I pressed a long kiss on his lips. “Let’s go.” Grabbing his hand, I led him toward the door.
We were holding the graduation dinner celebration and meeting of the families at the Postino’s wine bar in Tempe. We’d thought it would be comfortable and casual enough for everyone and would have some of Mom and Dad’s favorite wines from California.
I parked my BMW, and we strolled toward the restaurant, hand in hand. We arrived early to prevent the parents from being in an awkward situation.
As we approached the squat, brick building, I opened the door and stepped inside the cool darkness, the couches and chairs spreading around the place as if we were in a living room filled with Pottery Barn furniture.
With a smirk, I leaned in toward Ryker. “I want to furnish our new homes with Pottery Barn décor.”
He glanced at me. “What?”
“I love it, and this place reminds me of it.” As I glanced toward the door, Linda and Wes walked in, Linda wearing a short, flowered dress. She’d gained some weight and appeared healthier every day.
After greeting them with hugs and kisses on the cheek, my mother strolled inside the restaurant, a beige Chanel purse hanging off her arm, wearing a flowing pantsuit.
“Mom.” I waved and pushed Ryker toward her. “Meet Ryker in person first.”
With a smile sweeping her lips, she grabbed his hands in hers. “Ryker, it’s good to see you. You look so handsome today.”
“Thank you, Joy. You’re looking great today too.” Ryker beamed at her and held his hand out toward his mother. “Mom, this is Joy Carter, Casey’s mother.” He faced Joy.
Linda stepped toward her. “I’m Linda, and I’m so pleased to meet you, Joy. You’ve raised such a fantastic son.”
Mom threw me a smirk. “Well, he’s grown up a hell of a lot since meeting Ryker. I’m proud of the way the two of them handled their relationship. I wasn’t sure Casey would ever settle down. But Ryker tamed him.”
“Mom, damn…” Shaking my head, I chuckled. She’d given away all my secrets by the time we’d had our first glass of wine.
Mom faced Wes. “And you must be Wes, the next quarterback superstar?”
Dipping his head, Wes said, “I sure hope so. Casey’s shipping me off to a top-notch football camp this summer, so we’ll see.” Wes extended his hand and Mom shook it.
Linda had insisted on paying me back for the camp, but of course, I wouldn’t let her. “You deserve it, Wes.” I lifted my chin. “Wes’s stats were among the best in the state last season. He’s worked hard.”
Dad entered the restaurant. “Hi, everyone. What did I miss? Almost all the parking is gone.” He ambled toward Linda. “Are you Ryker’s mother?”
“I am.” Her eyes grew glassy. “Mike, is it?”
“Yep.” He glanced at everyone and focused on Linda, then held his hand out toward her.
She took his hand in both of hers. “I can’t thank you enough for finding Gabe Johnson for me. He was a pleasure to work with and such a smart young man.”
“I’m so happy he could help. You didn’t deserve to be incarcerated.” Dad patted her shoulder, and she freed his hands.
“Mr. Carter? I’m Wes.” He shook Dad’s hand. “It’s a pleasure, sir. Your son changed our lives.”
Dad lifted his brows and snickered. “It’s about time he was serious about something other than football.”
“Dad…” With a tsk, I said, “Okay, let’s get a table.” Apparently, meeting Ryker had changed me in ways I hadn’t considered.
A hostess sat us on two couches, facing each other with a long coffee table between us.
“Let’s order champagne first to celebrate Casey’s graduation and NFL contract.” He grabbed my hand as it rested on my thigh.
“That’s a great idea.” Linda grinned.
We ordered our champagne.
“What’s the plan moving forward?” Dad leaned back, placing his arm across the back of the couch behind Mom.
“We’ll come visit you in Redding the first week of June, then…
” I swung my gaze to Ryker. “I think we’ll have a brief vacation in Sedona before I leave for training camp.
And we’ll be looking at condos close to Vegas and maybe a house here.
” It would be convenient to live so close to Phoenix. We could even drive back and forth.
The server set our drinks on the table.
Ryker picked up his champagne, his bracelet dangling from his wrist. “I have something to say.” He angled toward me and slipped his hand into his pocket.
“What’s that, babe?” I plucked my champagne from the table.
“Remember when you took me to Sedona almost a year ago?” He bit his lip.
“Yeah?” I glanced around the table, everyone holding their drinks in the air. Where was he going with this?
“You bought me this beautiful bracelet and…” His hand left his pocket, and he held up a matching bracelet.
“I bought you one too, so when you’re on the road, or in camp, you can remember me and our time there.
I want these to be a symbol of our promise to each other, that we’ll always stick together. ”
“How about this—my heart belongs to you, and your heart belongs to me?” As my eyes stung, my lips twitched into a smile. He must have saved for that for a long time.
“Yes, that too.” His eyes glittered in the low light.
“To Ryker and Casey, finding the loves of their lives.” Mom lifted her glass and tapped it against everyone else’s.
“Damn right.” With a tap of my glass on Ryker’s, I kissed him deeply and drank my champagne. “Put it on me, babe. I might never take it off, just saying.”
With a soft chuckle, he fastened the bracelet onto my wrist. “For my golden-boy quarterback, love of my life.”
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