Chapter Six
Austin
"See?" I murmur, running a hand down Ivy's leg as we snuggle up on the edge of the pool at her great uncle's house. "It hasn't been so bad, princess."
She snorts loudly. "My dad and my grandpa have both been scowling at you like they want to set you on fire, Austin."
She isn't wrong about that. Neither of them has taken their eyes off me since I got here. I can't say I blame them for it. Shit, I wouldn't trust a motherfucker like me with a girl like her either if I were in their shoes. But the last thing I want to do is hurt her.
I knew as soon as I saw her in the stands that she was my future. It felt like I got hit by a bolt of fucking lightning. We were midgame, and I just fucking stopped and stared. I had zero regrets about paying someone to track her down for me.
We've been inseparable since.
I've never felt this way about anyone. I know I never will again. Ivy Carmichael is it for me. She's in my blood, running through my veins. I'm marrying this girl. Hopefully with the permission of her family. I know they aren't ready to give it to me yet. She's only twenty. She still has a year of college to finish. But as soon as she's ready to put my ring on her finger, it'll be there, no doubts about that shit.
If her dad and grandpa need to give me hell until then, I can handle it. I'll walk through fire if that's what it takes.
"Crap," she whispers. "My dad is on his way over here."
"Breathe, princess. It'll be fine."
She inhales a sharp breath before plastering a bright smile on her face. "Hi, Dad!"
"Hey, baby girl." Ciaran Carmichael doesn't even take his eyes off me as he greets his daughter. "You enjoying yourself?"
"I am. I've been introducing Austin to all the cousins."
Ciaran grunts, and I have to fight a smile. I appreciate that he's protective of her. She deserves that kind of love in her life. Hell, she deserves nothing but people who want the best for her. It's obvious this man does. I can respect that.
"So you play football," he says to me.
"Yes, sir."
"My nephew says you're pretty good."
"I do all right, sir."
"Cut the shit." He narrows his eyes on me. "You're the best wide receiver in the league."
"Currently," I agree. "But the talent pool isn't what it was even five years ago. If I were ranked compared to those who played before me, I wouldn't even make the list." That's not modesty, it's just the truth. I'm good. But compared to the greats? Shit, I'm not even on the list.
Ciaran nods, eyeing me levelly. "I can respect that answer. You get up to the same bullshit some of the greats got up to, son?"
"Dad!" Ivy protests.
"It's a valid question, Ivy," he says.
I place my hand on her arm. "It's all good, princess. He's allowed to be concerned. Hell, I would be if my daughter were dating someone in a league known for the kind of problems this league is known for," I murmur. "To answer the question, no, sir, I don't get up to any of that bullshit. I don't drink. I've never been involved with drugs. And, until your daughter, I never dated, either."
Surprise flares in Ciaran's eyes. "Why not?"
"I was busy playing the game and securing that record you heard about," I answer frankly. "In college, I was busy playing and attending classes. Football isn't forever. It was important to me to finish my degree so I have options when this ride ends."
Ciaran jerks his head in a nod, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
"He's a good guy, Dad," Ivy says softly. "And he treats me well. Really freaking well. So I'm going to need you to trust me here, okay?"
"It's not a matter of trusting you," Ciaran says. "But admitting your little girl is grown up enough to fall in love is a damn hard thing to do, sweetheart. And trusting anyone else with the little girl you swore you'd protect no matter what is hard as hell." Ciaran meets my gaze. "If you two ever have a daughter, you'll get that one day."
"Dad," Ivy whispers, her expression softening. "I may be grown up, but that doesn't mean I'll ever stop needing my heroes." She glances over at me. "Maybe I'm just adding one more to the roster to help you and Grandpa out. You've been doing it your whole life. Maybe it's time to share the responsibility with someone else for a little while."
"Fuck," Ciaran mutters, his jaw clenched tight. He stares at me for a long moment before he jerks his chin in a nod. "Yeah, maybe it is, baby girl."
Ivy squeals, leaping out of my arms to fling hers around her dad.
"Don't you dare fuck up with her," Ciaran orders me, his expression tight.
"It's the last thing I intend to do," I vow solemnly, meaning that shit all the way to my goddamn soul.