EPILOGUE TWO
Two years later
ZANE
Awarmth surrounds me as I stare out toward the ocean, Blair curled under my arm, her eyes closed as she takes in the calm.
After finally saying Sierra’s name, it took me another six months to come back here. To allow myself to be happy in her favorite spot. To move on.
Now, it’s a tradition. Every time we’re in Jacksonville, visiting Blair’s family, we make sure to come here. To take a moment to remember her. To allow ourselves to feel.
Sometimes, like now, we use the time to talk to Sierra, fill her in on the news—or gossip, in Blair’s case—anything we can to keep her alive.
“Oh! Nathan got engaged to his teammate’s sister.
And get this… They met when she joined the team as the new nurse.
The nurse! It was a huge deal, surrounded by a whole bunch of drama.
But I’m happy for them. I’m glad he never told me that the Suns were looking for a nurse.
Life turned out much better because of his ignorance.
But I do hope he treats his fiancée better than he treated me. ”
I let out a laugh, interrupting Blair, and her eyes flash my way. “Sorry, go on.”
“No, what are you laughing at?”
The curve of her brows makes me cringe. “We both know he’s not treating her better. And I for one am happy he’s a fuckup; it would have been much harder to get you back if he wasn’t.”
Blair’s lips thin, but it’s impossible to miss the smile threatening to break free. She knows I’m right.
Pressing a kiss to her nose, I gesture for her to continue, and she laughs until her gaze flits back to the water, her expression turning serious. My stomach drops and I focus on the wind as it tangles Blair’s hair, knowing what’s coming.
“Now for the bad news. Your dad was arrested for a pub brawl last month. Your mom reached out to mine for support, but when Mom mentioned talking to Zane, she ah…said some unkind things, and my mom hung up on her. I think she’s struggling and—”
“Unkind things?” I balk, but it’s not aimed at Blair. My mom’s words still burn when I think about them. “She blamed Dad’s drinking on me, and told your mom she should cut me out of your life.”
“Are those things not unkind?” Blair questions, and I huff out a laugh as she continues filling Sierra in.
“Anyway, as I was saying…I think she’s struggling with your dad’s trial coming up.
He beat someone up pretty badly. We were waiting for it to come back to Zane in the media, but thankfully they seem to have moved on.
It’s hard for them to tear him down when he has the label of football’s underdog, rising from heartbreak and seclusion to become one of the NFL’s greatest.”
“Fuck off.” I chuckle. “That’s not what they call me.”
“It’s not?” She furrows her brow, her expression marred in fake confusion.
“You know it’s not. She knows it’s not,” I say to Sierra and then laugh again, grabbing Blair’s face to kiss her.
“If it wasn’t for me, Storm wouldn’t have won the Super Bowl the year all that went down, and we wouldn’t be back on top again this year.
Ready to win. We’re going to pretend last year never happened. ”
“Do you know the definition of an underdog, Zane?”
“Stop,” I growl and Blair’s eyes spark with heat. She loves it when I do that.
“Okay. Stopping. But you’re playing dirty.”
“Maybe. But now that you’re looking at me like that, I refuse to take it back.
Hurry up and finish telling Sierra whatever you have to say.
” I lean forward, grabbing her hip below her tee, whispering the rest. “I want to fuck my wife before we’re summoned for more Christmas festivities. I need to hear her scream.”
Blair sucks in a breath and when I pull back, her bottom lip’s trapped between her teeth. “I’m good.”
“No, you’re not. You have one more big bit of news.” I raise my eyebrows, and she laughs.
“Whoops. You’re right.”
My phone buzzes as she begins and I mindlessly open my message, smiling when I see it’s our group chat, now titled “Anti matchmaking group” based on Easton’s request. With everyone being loved up and happy, we’ve retired the romance side of it, only occasionally using it for team workouts.
It’s mostly used for Luke to stay in the know, or to schedule get-togethers, like he is now.
LUKE: New Year’s Eve is locked in at the Bennett residence. 4 p.m. onward. See you all there
REED: Hayls will be late but I’ll be there with the drinks at 3:45
EASTON: Paige says we’re in, but we’ll see. I might be busy
“Let me guess? The group chat?” Blair grins after telling Sierra our final bit of news.
“It sure is. Luke’s confirming New Year’s Eve at his place.”
“Oh, like Amelia did three weeks ago?”
“Yep.” I snicker under my breath. “You know Luke; he likes to feel like he’s in control. Did Amelia tell you what we need to bring?”
“She was reluctant, insisting on doing it all herself. But Hayley put an end to that. We’re on dessert duty.”
“Dessert. That seems easy enough.”
“I’ve already got it ordered.” Blair winks and I laugh.
“Of course you do. Honestly, I’m not sure how I managed to organize my life before you walked back into it.” I stare at her lovingly and she punches me in the arm, seeing through my sincerity.
“Shut up. I like being organized.”
“I know. And I love it. Speaking of, what time do we have to get back to open the presents?”
“We’ve got an hour.”
“Good. I’m not ready to share you yet.” With a smirk, I type out a message to Luke, then pull Blair into my arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Are you ready to tell them our news, Mrs. Fitzpatrick?”
She nods, her beautiful smile shining brighter than the sun behind her. “I am, Baby Daddy. But you know my parents are going to flip out. Especially Dad.”
“Nah. I’m not worried about your dad. Or your mom. They love me and they know our reasons for not wanting a big wedding. Plus, we’re giving them a wedding party when the season’s over.”
Despite planning a wedding, we decided to elope a few months ahead of schedule—one of Blair’s few spur-of-the-moment decisions—after finding out she was pregnant while at my away game in Vegas.
Since we both very much believe in fate now, it seemed fitting to have ourselves a quick Vegas wedding, my teammates and friends in tow.
“Just because they understand it doesn’t mean they’ll like it.”
Her confidence wavers and my shoulders drop. “They already know,” I admit, not wanting her to stress, grimacing when the shock I was waiting for registers in her eyes. “As you’re aware, your mom and dad both call me to check in. Often. Like I’m their third child.”
Blair’s surprise softens, making way for her tender warmth. “Technically you are. You’re their son by marriage.”
“That’s true. Maybe that’s why I did what I did.”
“What did you do?” Her gaze narrows as her face contorts into an accusatory scowl. I’d be worried if I couldn’t see the hint of intrigue in the depths of her eyes.
“Your mom asked me if she could help with the wedding planning, telling me how proud she was at how far the two of us had come. And I couldn’t keep the secret anymore.
I couldn’t stand the thought of her being angry at me.
Of course, she told your dad right away, and there were congratulations and welcomes to the family.
And tears—the good kind, I think. But I didn’t mention the baby.
” I cringe, my expression pinched as Blair stares at me deadpan.
I’m just about to apologize when she bursts out laughing, an adorable snort making her pause. “Sorry.” She covers her mouth with her hand, still giggling. “You are so freaking cute sometimes.”
“I’m not cute.”
“Yeah, you are. No amount of tattoos or brooding glares will ever convince me otherwise. But that’s why I love you. Because you’re different around those you care about. More true.”
“You make me sound soft.”
“Oh, Zane.” She curls her arms around my neck, her dark eyes staring into my soul. “There is nothing soft about you.”
She winks and I chuckle, my heart jolting along with my cock.
“An hour you say?” I raise an eyebrow, my lips pulled into a smirk. “Come on. I know exactly how to pass that time.”
Life is good, and with a kid on the way, it’s about to get better.
BLAIR
I’m lost in my work when the door to my home office creaks open and Zane tiptoes in, gently placing a mug of steamy hot liquid in front of me. He squints in the low light. “Are you sure this lamp is good for your eyes?” he asks, pressing a kiss to my head.
I pause my typing, smiling up at him. “It’s perfect. But thank you for checking on me. And for the tea.”
“It’s hot chocolate.”
“What?” I swivel in my chair, reaching for his hand as I lean over to smell the drink, moaning as the rich chocolate aroma permeates my senses.
“Oh my God. You’re like an angel sent from heaven.
Thank you.” I press my lips to his fingers, then pull his face to mine, giving him a chaste kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too. How’s the session going?”
“Four thousand words and counting.” My smile widens as a proud warmth takes over me. I’ve finally found my groove, seamlessly juggling life between being an author and a nurse. Just in time for it to all go up in beautiful flames when our baby comes along.
I can’t wait.
“Do you need a break? Maybe some inspiration?” Zane bounces his eyebrows and laughs.
When I gave in and finally agreed to write our story, I told him I was planning an emotional romance.
Zane being Zane decided to flick through a few of the emotional romances on our shelves, and his exact words were, “Holy hell, is this what you’re writing? ”
I wasn’t, but despite telling him that, he’s taken it upon himself to try and change my mind, offering suggestions, asking if he can help.
“I could tie you up or…” He snaps his fingers as though an idea came to mind. “You could tie me up. Fuck, that would be hot.”
I laugh again, playfully shoving him away. “You know what? You already gave me inspiration. So, thank you. I’m ready to keep going.”
“The tying up thing?”
“No.” I bite back a smirk. “Bringing me a hot chocolate.”
“Oh. So it’s a sweet story? Only loosely based on our life?” He laughs, shaking his head. “Just kidding. I can be sweet. What about I draw you a bath with candles and soft music? I could blindfold you and help you get in. Wash your body. Set you on fire with my featherlight touch.”
My lips part as that visual sinks in. “That sounds kind of perfect.”
“Yes! I’ll go start the bath.”
He moves to leave but I grab his hand again, pulling him back to me. “Actually, can we do that tomorrow night? Tonight, I’m writing about it. I can vividly picture the scene playing out.”
Zane’s face drops and it takes all of my power to school my expression. Especially when he glances down at the semi bulge in his sweats, stifling a groan.
Forcing a smile, he lifts his gaze and stands. “Anything for you, B. Tomorrow it is.”
With a quick thank you and a nod, I shift my attention back to my computer and smile as he walks away.
But he’s only halfway out the door when I give in, barking out a laugh.
“Run the bath, jackass. I’ve got the epilogue to finish, but it’ll be impossible to concentrate after that visual.
You better worship me, Fitzpatrick. I deserve it. ”
“Always, Little B. Always.” His panty-melting smile lights me up and my heart pounds in my chest. I will never take for granted how lucky we are to have found our way back to each other, but I will take advantage. Every chance I get, I remind myself, letting myself bask in his love.
Zane often says I deserve the world, and that may be so, but I’m more than happy to share it with him.
Epilogue (Blair's book)
Claire
The plunging water mimics the sound of rain as it echoes through the apartment, and a calming shiver runs through me. Curling my hands around my forest-green mug, I breathe in the delicious smell before taking a sip of my hot chocolate, the warm liquid adding to my peace.
The last two years may have been full of ups and down, but Zack’s love and promise to protect us has never once wavered. And neither has mine.
We’re a team. In it for the long haul.
And nothing is ever going to change that.
Thank you for reading Zane and Blair's story.