Chapter 24
Well, this is romantic. I followed him onto the stairs and sat beside him on the landing.
I figured it was nicer here than in a bathroom.
Bam smiled that heart-stopping, panty-melting, oh-my-god-I-cant-take-it-anymore, grin. It was all I could do not to jump him right there and then.
It is, I agreed.
I sucked in a breath and managed to summon up the courage to say, So you wanted to talk? I was scared he was about to tell me goodbye. If he was, Id deal with it. At least he was honest about it and making sure I knew.
Yeah. he looked down at the stairs. You know how I said Id be single for life and I was okay with that?
Yes, I said slowly. That sounds familiar. I braced myself for what I was sure was about to come. He liked me as a friend, nothing changed, have a nice life. Okay, fine, I would go to Sydney and never look back. If I didnt get the job with DAntonio, I could have a fresh start.
I didnt figure Id meet someone amazing who would change my mind on that, he said. It took me by surprise. He looked over at me. For a long time, I resisted how I felt. I didnt want to care about anyone but myself, my family and the team.
His brow creased but he smiled. I didnt want to fall in love, but then it happened.
My heart leaped into my throat. It did? I asked tentatively.
Yeah, he said softly. I fell in love with you. He went on quickly, After we spent the night, I wasnt sure you felt the same way, but I couldnt let you go without telling you.
His face was suddenly a blur. I was looking at him through a haze of tears.
Bam obviously noticed them too. Im sorry, I didnt mean to upset you. I just?—
No, I interrupted. You didnt upset me. Its just… My mind was racing faster than the rotor blades of Carson Thomas helicopter.
I fell in love with you too, I said finally. I thought you regretted that night. You said youd forget all about it.
When Im an old man, and I can barely remember playing a single game of football, Ill remember that night, he said. And every moment Ive spent with you.
Youd really forget playing football? I asked. That wasnt the point here, but I always fell back on humour when things got intense.
So did he.
Only if I get too many hits to my brain, but Id still remember you. He brushed a stray piece of hair off my face and leaned in to kiss me lightly.
I slipped my arms around his neck to draw him closer. His lips were soft but firm and full of promise. His tongue slid across my lips and into my mouth. I sucked on it lightly before brushing mine against it.
After what could have been a lifetime, but was probably only a minute or two, we drew apart.
Ive got something else for you. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another box.
Matching necklace? It was Bam. The box might contain a dirty sock, just for a laugh.
Open it. He nodded toward the box.
I opened it slowly and stared. It matched all right, but it wasnt a necklace. It was a ring. The same colour sapphire as the earrings, sparkled in the centre, surrounded by diamonds.
Its beautiful, I breathed.
Its a promise ring, Bam said. As in, I promise to try not to be a jerk, or disappoint you. I mean, I promise to try. He was only human after all.
After a few moments, when those words had sunk in, he said, I want to give us a chance. I want to be with you. Only you.
Tears welled up in my eyes again.
For the longest time, I couldnt think of what to say. Approximately a thousand things went through my head, but they all ended with the same thing.
I want to be with you too, I said in a whisper. I didnt know where to stare first, at him or at the ring. I did a lot of both.
See if it fits, he said.
I held out the box, and my right hand.
Will you put it on me?
Of course. He pulled the ring free of its velvet surrounds and slid it onto the third finger of my right hand. Next ring will be for the same finger on the other hand.
Those words left me breathless, my head in a spin. If they came from anyone else, I might run away, or laugh.
I looked Bam in the eyes and knew he meant every word.
I love you so much, was the only response I could give to that.
I love you too. He kissed me again, longer this time and deeper. Do you think theyll notice if we dont go back to the party?
They might, I said reluctantly.
He slipped an arm around me. Well then, it must be time for another grand entrance.
If you dont mind that Harvey Danbury is in there. I grimaced.
Sooner or later, we have to face the asshats of the world, Bam said. We can get it over with if we do it today.
Thats true, I said. With Bam by my side, I could face anything the world might throw at me, including the front page of some sleazy paper. What did it matter? We knew who we were, that was what counted.
Okay, lets do it.
He stood and offered me his hand.
I took it and stood too. I hope this doesnt mess with the good work you did to build your reputation.
To hell with that, he said. I care more about you than I do football. Besides, I have an announcement to make that will give me brownie points for years.
I eyed him sideways. Should I be worried?
He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. Naw, its nothing bad. I promise that too. In fact, I think youll like it. Trust me.
I did until you said those last two words, I teased.
He chuckled. Ill keep that in mind for next time.
Next time? I had a feeling Id just stepped foot in the car of a rollercoaster. I couldnt wait to enjoy every minute of it.
We strolled back into the ward, hand in hand, matching smiles on our faces.
Hawk was the first to notice. He grinned almost as widely as Bam. It took you long enough. I think everyone but you two knew it was coming.
Bam shrugged. You cant rush some things, bro.
Hawk looked toward Bec, who smiled. No, you cant, he agreed. But the wait is worth it.
You bet it is, Bam agreed. Since youre all here. He paused until Harvey Danbury turned around. I have something to say.
I thought for a moment Danbury was about to make some inappropriate comment. He caught himself before he did and closed his mouth. Evidently he could behave around children.
That was good to know.
Bam drew himself up taller than he already was. Ive decided to set up a charitable foundation to help out kids like these young heroes here. He gestured around the ward with his spare hand. I expect you all to donate a ton of money and time. And play nice with my girlfriend Grace here, because shell be heading up the operation.
Parents, players, partners, nurses and even the kids applauded his announcement.
As for me, I could only stand there, stunned. I dont know which surprised me more, the job or that he called me his girlfriend.
That is, Bam went on, if she accepts the job.
I blinked. Of course I do. I mean, I need the job and who could resist those faces? I looked around and smiled. If there was anything I could do to help make their stay more comfortable, or better yet, keep them from having to come here at all, Id do my best.
Can I get a photo? Harvey asked.
For a feel-good story? Bam looked skeptical.
Harvey shrugged. Its personal. If I can help Chelsie, then I will.
Well take any help we can get. I doubted hed changed, or ever would, but Id put aside my animosity toward him for the sake of the kids. For all I knew, hed steer clear of Bam and my personal life from now on.
Right, that was unlikely, but a girl could hope.
We posed for a photo together, then one with a few of the kids. When Danbury went to sit back with Chelsie, I found myself alone with Bam.
You were right, I said.
Im right about a lot of stuff. He grinned, You might need to narrow it down some.
I laughed. You were right about the brownie points. Starting a foundation will be the thing youre known for, long after you retire from playing football.
I hope so, because I plan to be hands-on, he said. Both later today and when I retire.
Ill hold you to that. I had the feeling hed spent a lot of time thinking about our future together. If he was any other guy I ever dated, Id find that worrying. With Bam, I found myself falling for him even more. He really was a good guy. Now the world would get to see it.
They could fall in love with him too. How could they not, he was pretty irresistible.
Bam grinned and started singing some cheesy song about reindeers on ugly jumpers.
Before long, the kids started as well. I had no idea what the words were, but they knew them all.
This confirms what Ive suspected for a long time, Bec said as she came to stand beside me.
Whats that? I asked.
That men are really just big kids. She laughed. Look, Hawk and Chase know the words too.
The second verse seemed to involve farting elves, so I wasnt surprised one bit. The kids adored it. Most of them were smiling and laughing even more than when they got presents from Santa.
I filed that away in the back of my mind. For these kids, experiences were more important than presents. Anything which helped them forget where they were for a while was priceless.
The third verse had something to do with Santa burping, which was apparently the cue for the kids to do the same.
I shook my head and laughed. Ill have to learn this one for next year.
Bec snorted. Yes, me too. I suppose we shouldnt be too harsh on them, theyve worked hard all season, and the toughest bit is yet to come.
When I looked at her questioningly, she said, The road to the Down Under Bowl. I hear it gets really intense. If we think these last few weeks have been a rollercoaster, I have a feeling weve seen nothing yet.
Sounds like I need a good, sturdy seatbelt, I said. I didnt regret for a moment that Id bought a ticket. Hell, I might have bought the whole damn car, but the ride would be worth it.
Carson Thomas walked in just as the song was finishing. His eyes widened and for a moment I thought hed turn and walk back out. Before he could, Rubie grabbed his arm and pulled him in further. He smiled awkwardly, but let himself be pulled.
Theres our first benefactor, Bam stated loudly.
Does he know that? I wasnt sure if Carson was someone I wanted to deal with, or that hed want to deal with me, but wed work that out later. I suspected Rubie wouldnt give him a choice anyway.
He soon will if he doesnt, Bam said. His eyes shone with boyish good humour that was contagious as well as charming. Its for a good cause anyway.
Its a great cause, I agreed. My head was turning with ideas, and things wed need. An office for one thing. Staff. A few potted plants and mugs with the foundation name on them. We needed a foundation name as well. And some pens. Lots of pens.
We could worry about all of that tomorrow. Or the day after. I might want to spend tomorrow getting used to being Bams girlfriend. In a matter of hours Id gone from thinking Id never see him again after today, to being his partner. What a difference a few hours makes.
I couldnt wait for the rest of our lives to start.