There is No Try (Needing to Score #2)

5. Lucas

CHAPTER 5

LUCAS

T elling Gavin went better than I thought it would. I fully expected him to push back on the idea, but my heart has never felt so full knowing not only Bridget loves me, but so does her amazing son. They’ve become my family since I moved here, and I meant what I said, I’d absolutely ask her to marry me one day regardless of my visa situation.

Waking up in my bed instead of hers is a special kind of torture. Gav is comfortable with me marrying his mum, and he likely wouldn’t mind if I stayed with her, but I don’t want to press my luck. So much happened yesterday, I need to bide my time.

My phone vibrates on the bedside table and my stomach drops as I check it.

Ronan

What did I say about fucking my sister?

I kept to my word and never fucked Bridget. I assume Nora told you I’m about to be your new brother-in-law?

Find someone else if you need to marry.

I’m not going to fight with him over text messages and click the phone icon to call. Without a greeting, he lays into me. “Bridge deserves better than a bloody contract marriage, Luc! Don’t drag my sister into your immigration problems.”

“It’s not only a contract marriage,” I admit, but quickly backpedal. “As much as I appreciate how protective you are of her, she’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions. She’s the one who suggested it.”

“Of course she suggested it!” he roars.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“ Who are you talking to? ” Nora asks him, her voice distant. “ Is it Lucas? I told you to not bother him today. ”

“Yes, it’s Lucas,” he seethes and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him so angry, especially directed at me.

“ Luc, don’t listen to him. I think it’s lovely. ”

I chuckle to myself, then tell Ronan, “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you yesterday. It was important that we talked to Gavin first.” I sit up with a groan. The last thing I want is my mate pissed about this. With a deep breath, I admit, “I love her.”

“You better.” Ronan then grumbles, “ Feckin’ eejit .”

I’d never hurt Bridget or Gav. It doesn’t matter that we’ve never officially dated, I’ve never loved anyone as deeply as I love her. I’m done hiding how I feel and can only hope Ronan will eventually accept it.

There’s a soft knock on my door as Gavin asks, “Are you up?”

“I’ll be ready in five,” I shout to him, then tell Ronan, “Sorry, I have to go. I promised Gav I’d take him to breakfast this morning.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t berate me again, and we hang up on a semi-positive note. After I’m dressed, I meet Gav in the kitchen. He’s laughing at something Bridget said to him, and her smile falls when she spots me. Eyes wide, she blushes and quickly turns away. I hate how so much has changed already. My heart twists in my chest as I fight the urge to take her in my arms. It’s always been this way with her, but today it’s so much worse. She knows how I feel about her, and by some cosmic miracle, she loves me back. Still, she’s not mine.

But she will be.

“Are you ready to go?” I ask Gav, and he hops off his stool with a wide smile. “We should be back in a few hours.”

Bridget pivots quickly, her dress twirling an extra second longer. “Hours? I thought you were only having breakfast.”

I rub the back of my neck, wincing. I hate lying to her, but want to keep it a surprise. Before I can offer a version of the truth, Gavin chimes in, “We need a few things.”

“What sorts of things?” Bridget doesn’t wait for a reply and makes her way to her handbag, rummaging through it to find her wallet. She pulls out a few notes, handing them to Gavin as she asks, “Will this be enough?”

Gavin laughs, and I bite back a smile as I reply, “I’ve got it, pup.” She lifts her gaze to me with a frown. Gavin hands her back the fifty euros, which definitely won’t cover what I will be buying today. I close the distance and press a soft kiss to her cheek, whispering, “We’ll be back soon.” There’s an adorable hitch in her breath and it takes everything in me to not kiss her.

Gavin and I leave and once we’re in my car he bursts into laughter. “Do you think Mum suspects anything?”

“Not a chance.” I wink and we drive off.

His favourite breakfast spot is a little bakery called The Void. As much as I shouldn’t overload on carbohydrates today, I can’t help ordering a croissant eggs benedict and a cappuccino. Gavin gets his usual French toast and a hot chocolate. I insist he order a side of eggs or sausage, and he agrees with a playful eye roll. His mum would never approve of so much sugar without at least a little protein, and I’m glad he doesn’t fight me on it.

Once our order is placed, he dives right in and asks, “When you marry me mum, will we still live where we do? Or will it be like Leo?”

“How do you mean?”

“Leo and Nora moved in with Ronan, and… Never mind, it’s selfish of me to ask.”

“If you love your home, we don’t need to move. If you want to move somewhere with more space, maybe with a practice pitch to rival Leo’s, we can ask your mum about it.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

“Of course,” I chuckle. “The only reason I’ve stayed with you so long is because I love you and Bridge. I don’t care where we live, but it’s probably a good idea to look for a bigger place.”

“I think we should. Can I ask you something?” he asks nervously, and I nod. “Why didn’t you tell her sooner?”

I should’ve anticipated this would come up. I blow out a long breath and admit, “I was scared. I love you both so much. If she didn’t feel the same for me, I was worried I could lose you. I was told I only have a little while longer before I’d have to leave, and I asked her if the two of you could come with me. I had nothing holding me back from telling her how I felt. I hope you don’t feel blindsided by it and know how much I care about you.”

“If you really love me mum, then we better pick out the perfect ring. We need her to say yes,” he states matter-of-factly.

I don’t correct him that she already has. Instead, I agree, “You’re absolutely right.”

After breakfast, we make our way to the jewellery store. Browsing what has to be hundreds of rings, varying from simple to intricate, nothing is standing out to either of us. Money isn’t the issue, Bridget deserves something beautiful and timeless. They don’t feel right.

Gavin is looking at a few with centre stones that aren’t diamonds. One in particular draws my attention. The white gold is braided along the band, and instead of a traditional diamond, the sign says it’s a blue diamond. It’s more of a dark teal than blue and absolutely beautiful. He points to it, insisting, “That’s the one.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

I flag down an associate and she tells us Bridget could have it fitted to be bigger or smaller if it doesn’t fit. Gavin pulls out a ring he swiped from his mum’s jewellery box to compare sizes. The associate confirms it’s the same size, almost as if it was made for Bridget. Once I’ve paid, I tuck the ring box into my pocket and Gavin and I make our way home.

The scent of cinnamon and vanilla fill the kitchen. Whatever Bridget is baking is absolutely mouthwatering and the last thing I should be eating. Next week’s training is going to be brutal, but there’s no harm in a small bite… or five.

“You’re back early. How was breakfast?” she asks, pulling a pan out of the oven.

“Good, great. I’m going to go read,” Gavin rushes out, sounding guilty as fuck as he scurries off, leaving Bridget and I alone.

Bridge busies herself taking the pastries out of the pan and doesn’t glance up as she questions, “Where did you go after breakfast?”

I stuff my hands in my pocket, my right hand meeting the resistance of the jewellery box. As much as I should hold off for the perfect, romantic moment to give it to her, I can’t wait another minute. “Why don’t we have a seat, and I’ll show you?”

Her eyes snap to mine, a swirl of intrigue and suspicion dancing in them. I don’t wait for a reply and make my way over to the sofa. She reluctantly sits next to me.

I take her hand in mine. Her touch has me feeling more grounded than I have in the past twenty-four hours, and can’t help pouring my heart out to her. “Gavin asked me something today. He wanted to know why I waited so long to tell you I love you. I was so damn scared that you didn’t feel this, but it doesn’t excuse it. What we are about to do is so incredibly backwards. If you’re going to be my wife, you’ll need a ring.” I pull out the box from my pocket and release her hand to open it. “I was going to wait until tonight, but I’ve waited long enough to call you mine.”

“Luc,” she sighs. “You didn’t need to get a ring.”

“Yes, I did. If I wasn’t such a fucking idiot, I would’ve moved out a long time ago and asked you on a proper date. Maybe then, we would already be married.”

Bridget cups my cheek, her eyes searching mine. “Are you sure about this? Marriage for the sake of citizenship is one thing, but this…”

“I want to marry you, pup, not just so I can continue to play for Cork. I love you and would be the happiest man on earth if you wanted to be with me until we’re old and grey.”

“Ronan’s going to kill you. You know that, right?”

“Worth the risk.” I huff a small laugh. “Is that a yes?”

“You didn’t ask me anything.” A teasing smirk tugs at her lips.

Unable to wipe the smile off my face, I drop to one knee in front of her and ask, “Bridget O’Leary, will you marry me? Be my wife because you want to be, not just because I’m an amazing hooker.”

She stifles a laugh and her wide grin matches mine as she replies, “I don’t know, if it wasn’t for those incredible thighs, I would probably say no.”

I pat my leg and glance behind me to ensure Gavin is still out of earshot. Keeping my voice low, it comes out as a purr as I tease, “Are these what you think of when you’re touching yourself?”

“Lucas!” she shrieks, then whispers, “You can’t say things like that.”

“They aren’t?” I cock an eyebrow and she bursts into a fit of nervous giggles. I fucking low how I can rile her up. “What do you say, pup? Be my wife?”

“I should tell you no.”

“And why’s that?”

Bridget leans in and whispers beside my ear, “Because I doubt you’ll live up to the fantasies.”

My ego and cock are up for the challenge. I slide my hand into her hair and keep her close. “We’re going out tonight, and when we come home, you’ll be wishing I didn’t live up to your fantasies. I’ll make you come so hard you’ll forget your own name.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” She takes out the ring and slips it onto her finger. My heart swells at the sight—she’s mine.

Fuck, is this really happening? Do I really get to marry this incredible woman I’ve wanted for so damn long? To think, I could’ve had her this whole time. We might be getting married for all of the wrong reasons, but I’m going to keep her for all of the right ones.