Chapter 40
Episode Two
Zahirah
“Hey everyone, we’re back. This is Zahirah Nickels and I’m here with the MVP, QB Bentley Coswell, right off his champion win.
“Let’s give it up for the man. Did you guys see that game-winning touchdown? You are totally amazing, babe, and I, for one, am totally proud of you,” I gush into the microphone.
We’re not in our home today. Bent said he wanted to try a new aesthetic for the podcast. He rented this place and had it set up for today’s recording.
“It’s good to be back. Even nicer to be back with another ring and the MVP trophy,” Bentley says.
“Take us back to that moment. How did it feel to take the game-winning touchdown to the house?”
“I’ll be honest with you guys. This one was different. If you have followed my career, you all know my father and Zahirah’s dad were killed in a car accident a month before the draft. We’re talking about two men I admired and respected deeply.
“They were at all my junior high and high school games and quite a lot of my college games. However, neither got the opportunity to see me play professionally.
“From the start of my career, the media didn’t allow me to forget that they weren’t there, which was harder than I let on to the world outside my close circle.
“I spent years trying to keep my head above it all. I’ve won championship games before, but this time … I don’t know if it’s because I play for Arizona or what, but that win was personal for me. I’m sorry,” Bentley says as he begins to get choked up.
He clears his throat and continues. “I can best explain it as feeling whole this time around. The goal was before me and there wasn’t any other option but to win.”
“Well, you did that. At thirty-two, you now have three championship rings. What’s next? How many more years do you think you have in you?”
“You know, when I’m in season and focused on the game, I don’t feel any of the wear and tear the game puts on me. However, during the offseason, things that shouldn’t begin to hurt,” he chuckles. “It’s only the beginning of the offseason and I think I’m starting to feel my age just a little.”
I tilt my head at him and smile. He’s been chasing me around every day trying to make a baby. I think that might have more to do with any aches and pains he might have, not the season.
“As for what’s next, I want to enjoy my family. This place needs to be furnished and we’re probably going to need to start looking at schools or decide if we want to homeschool.
“I’m leaning toward homeschooling. Our boy is so smart already. I don’t want him to be bored in a classroom. Although there are some pretty elite options for us to choose from in the area.
“Sarah already has a list for us. I’m excited about spending time with you and the baby. I feel like I’m always on the run during the season,” Bentley goes on.
I sit looking at him with my brows knit. He’s just said several things that aren’t adding up. He looks back at me with a huge smile on his face.
I open a chat box on my laptop and begin to type to ask him what’s going on. He said he rented this place for the day. What does he mean we need to furnish it?
“Sounds like you’re ready to get domestic,” I say, so we don’t have dead air.
“You have no idea. By the start of training camp, I’m hoping to have two under two. This new house I had built for you has more than enough room for the six kids you promised me.”
“Bentley,” I gasp. “Are you kidding me?”
“About what? Holding you to that promise of six kids or the fact that I had this place built for you.”
I stare at him like he’s crazy. From the time we pulled onto the property, I couldn’t stop gushing about how gorgeous it is. Once inside, I was in awe.
Never once did I think this place was ours. I love my little two bedroom. I bought it with my own money for me and Aaron.
Since Bentley has been staying there with us, I haven’t thought once about needing to move. We’ve become a family there. He had an entire house built just for me.
“First, babe. I’m not having five more babies. So I’m ignoring you and that comment. Second, you stinker. You said you rented this place to record today. This is our home?”
He winks at me. “It’s about eleven years late but I finally did as I promised. Yeah, this is our home. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Surprise,” is cheered behind me.
I turn to find our family standing just off camera. My mother has a huge smile on her face. I sit frozen as I allow this information to sink in.
“Guys, I think I honestly surprised her. Let me know in the chat if you think she’s surprised. Could I have done a better job?” Bentley croons.
“Oh my God. You’re insane. I can’t believe you did this, Bent.
“Thank you. I’m totally surprised. I’m blown away,” I say as I tear up.
“Well, I have another surprise for our viewers. Garret dropped in with my new ring this morning. I realized I’ve never shown you the others. That got me thinking.
“Our viewers probably haven’t seen a championship ring before. I figured, why not show you and them all three of mine,” he says, pointing to the ring boxes he has set on the table.
“But you won three. There are four boxes there,” I murmur.
“Open them up and show the camera,” he says simply.
I open the first box and look at the ring. It’s from the first year he won. I lift the box and allow the camera guy to zoom in on it. Then I close it and place it back down, opening the next one on the table.
This one is from the second championship he won. I show it to the camera too. Then I place it down and go for the third box on the table between us.
When I open it, I nearly melt right out of my seat. With shaky hands, I place it back down on the table and cover my mouth. It’s not his newest ring. It’s an engagement ring that’s breathtaking.
Bentley has moved to kneel in front of me as I sit stunned. This has to be a dream I’m going to wake up from any minute now. Suddenly, it’s like someone turned the heat on.
I’m sweating and the room feels so hot. The ring is absolutely stunning. The Asscher cut center diamond has to be over four carats. And it’s surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds.
“I promised we’d do the work together. If you don’t think we’re ready, don’t hesitate to tell me no. I’ll wait.
“But if you feel like you can trust me to always show up and be the man you need, I’d love for you to be my wife. It’s always been you, Zah. Wanting to be a better man for you has made me the man I am today.
“I love you more than anything. Can you see yourself with me? Will you marry me, baby?” he says while holding my face between his palms as he’s still on one knee.
“Yes, a million times yes. I love you too.”
Our family cheers and claps behind us. I think I’m still in shock as he slides the ring on my finger. He tugs me up from my seat and pulls me to him for a searing kiss as he holds me tight.
“It’s me and you, Zah. Nothing can take me away from you. I’m going to be here until the very end,” he says into my ear.
“I’m holding you to that, Coswell.”
“Please do, baby,” he croons.
“Hey, guys. The chat is asking to see the ring,” Erica says, reminding us we’re still on air.
Oh my God, he just proposed to me live on the air. I shake my head. We’re going to have to talk about what I meant about us not sharing too much of our personal relationship.
Right now, I’m too happy to care. I love this man and we’re getting married. My little crush turned into the love of my life.
Who would have thought?
Gilbert
“That motherfucker.” I seethe as I swipe my arm across the desk and knock everything to the floor.
My chest is heaving as I stand glaring at the laptop, now lying on its side across the room. I can’t believe he proposed to her live on that piece-of-shit podcast. Even worse is how fast she said yes.
Was having a house built for her all I needed to do? I would have built her two. None of that matters now.
Everything is fucked. I had to drop my uncle and kill that old bag grandmother of mine, but not before I tortured her into signing everything over to me. The problem is, all the family assets were frozen the day after I buried the old bag.
I don’t currently have the resources to find out why or how. I’m not supposed to have access to any of it yet, so I can’t walk into the bank of the business and start asking questions until the documents I forced my grandmother to sign are filed.
“Everything is turning to shit,” I roar.
I begin to pace as I try to figure my shit out. Not only do I need cash flow, but I also want to finish what I started. Coswell needs to pay.
I took Hamilton off the board too soon. He would have been helpful at the moment. Instead, I’m on this island hiding out with no answers.
I used the last of my money to bolt here. Other than the information I can get from the internet, I don’t even know what’s going on back home.
However, this—this bullshit Coswell has pulled, it’s a sign I need to head back and handle some shit.
I get an idea and jump into action. Pulling my phone, I dial the one person who can help. I knew keeping her in my pocket would pay off someday.
“Hello, Gilbert. It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Hey, Robin. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. I’m hoping you’re not too busy.
“I’m on my way back to Arizona, but I need a favor. It’s only a temporary ask. I have some big things in the works and can repay you after I arrive to see you.”
“Oh, you’re coming to see me? What do you need?”
I grin. That was too easy. I wonder what else I can get her to do.