Epilogue
Melody
“Ican’t tell you what an honor it is to have you here on the show, Mr. Dunne.” Knox’s uncle Logan sits at the head of a long table with my dad, Knox, three of his uncles, Austin, Edward, and me.
It’s a crazy-big group of men, but the Thunder & Lightning sports show is grassroots. Knox’s two uncles started it as a small-town radio show, and now it’s a full-blown YouTube channel that rivals the league’s three stations. We’re hoping maybe to join forces if they’ll have us.
Knox says it’s in the bag.
“Please call me Scout,” Dad says with a laugh. “Mr. Dunne is my father, and as much as we’ve tried, we just don’t seem to get along very well.”
I look down, biting my lip at that deflection. My grandfather is a piece of work to say the least.
“Enough said.” Uncle Logan gives him a grimace, shifting in his chair. “Been there.”
“Man, I can’t tell you what a thrill this is for me, Scout.” Knox’s giant uncle Garrett stretches out a hand. “I remember watching you on the field, and you were literally incredible. You never missed a pass. Even the stinkers!”
“I’ll tell you a little secret.” Dad glances at me, and I know what’s coming. “This little lady here broke my streak. Talk about throwing stinkers. Then she said I wasn’t very good at the game.”
“I was three!” My voice goes high, and my cheeks are bright red.
“Let me guess,” Knox jumps in, taking my hand in his. “Crotch shots and worm burners?”
“She could get a good spiral on it, but not much hang time.”
“She’s a ball-buster, all right.” Uncle Logan is back in the lead. “Not gonna lie, it wasn’t easy listening to her rake our boy over the coals every week.”
“I think it was pretty badass,” Austin cuts in, sounding as easy with this intimidating group as Knox is. “She knows her stuff.”
My cheeks are still warm, but I know how to defend myself. “Knox liked it.”
“I’d have liked it even more if you’d told me before the games,” he cracks, and the guys all make concurring sounds.
“I told you then, I’m not your coach,” I reply, lifting my chin.
“Melody has never worried about speaking her mind.” Dad gives me a wink. “She got her mamma’s brains, but she got my love of the game.”
Austin’s back on his mic. “Have you ever considered coaching, QP?”
“Are you hiring?” I tease. “No, I’ve got enough on my plate at the moment.”
“Sports fans will be excited to hear our very own K-Brad and QP are engaged,” Uncle Logan notes. “We’re excited to see what’s up next for this dynamite duo.”
“Congrats and well-wishes.” Uncle Zane adds to the teasing tone. “We’re not sure who needs it more.”
The show wraps with chat about draft picks and what they’ll be watching for in the upcoming season. Austin and Edward give the high school football report, which Knox’s dad used to do when he was the head coach at Newhope High.
The entire show lasts almost two hours, and by the time we sign off, this big group of men truly do feel like family. It’s also a Dare Night, which means from here, we’re going straight to Cooters & Shooters for burning-hot chicken nuggets and a rave.
Knox catches my hand, pulling me into his side. “See what it’s like growing up in all of this?”
“It looks like a lot of fun.” I tilt my head back, reaching up to put my palm against his cheek. “You’re something special, Knox Bradford.”
I finally confessed to stealing the poem he wrote for me. Lying in bed after our post-proposal, newly engaged sex, I quoted the verses from memory to him.
“You upend me like a riptide carrying me out to sea.
Like fourth and long, the whole stadium screaming my name.
I’m terrified because one mistake could cost everything.
But I could lose a game and survive.
Losing you, however…”
“You have it?” He sat up, pulling my hand to his chest. “I thought I’d left it in a hotel room somewhere.”
“I didn’t mean to steal it. It was the day I bought all those things for your apartment. I accidentally found it, then when I ran, I stuffed it into my pocket.”
His eyes softened, and he slid his lips over mine. “Why did you run? Why were you always running from me?”
My stomach tingled, and I scooted closer, resting my cheek against his shoulder. “I knew I’d fall so hard for you. I was afraid. You were a total player.”
“I was never a player. I just liked to play.”
Leaning back, I met his eyes, nodding. “Legendary.”
“Gridiron Gold.” Our lips reunited and we were lost in another consuming kiss.
Now, entering Cooters & Shooters, all I see is family.
Mom meets me at the door holding a small paper tray of bright orange nuggets. “I saved you some hot chicken. You guys were up there a long time!”
“We had a lot to say.” I take the dish from her, turning it to the side. A plastic cup of white sauce is on the side. “What is this?”
“Ghost pepper nuggets with blue cheese-cream sauce. Allie said the cream cuts the burn, so if you want the full effect, try it without the sauce.”
“Hmm…” I pucker my lips. “Ghost pepper, you say?”
Kim skips up to me, putting her arm around my back. “Careful with that one. It burns going in and burns coming out.”
“Ew!” I laugh, hugging her arm closer to mine.
“I’m obsessed with your mother,” she continues, turning to Mom. “She’s a total vibe, and this dress is Versace!”
Mom looks down at the bright yellow dress with silvery-white flowers all over it. “It’s vintage. I actually found it at a second-hand store in Miami, and I nearly fainted.”
“See what I mean?” Kim shakes her dark, curly head, rolling her brown doe-eyes. “Obsessed!”
I’m obsessed with how pretty and fun my future sister-in-law is. “She’s always been able to find the needle in a haystack.”
“Speaking of needles, your uncle Spencer sends his love. He was really impressed by Cricket. He said she’s a sweet baby.”
“He did?” My jaw drops. “He never said a word to me.”
“You know how he is.”
Dad strolls up, putting his hand on Mom’s waist. “We’re going to head back to the hotel. Your mom and I have an early flight in the morning.”
“Oh, can’t you stay another day?” Kim puts her hand on his arm. “I want to hear all about your career in Hollywood!”
Dad chuckles, patting her hand. “It’s a short story, filled with a lot of shame and regret.”
“Dad!” I scold playfully. “That’s not true. You were in that Chris Nolan film!”
“My brief comeback,” he teases. “I was killed fifteen minutes into it.”
“But it was a dramatic and memorable death,” I counter.
“You’re going to say hello to him. He’s family now.” I hear Aunt Dylan coming up behind us, and I turn to see her holding the arm of Uncle Craig.
He’s all dressed in his flouncy blonde wig and gold hot pants, and he looks like he’s about to faint… or hyperventilate.
“Scout, before you leave, I want to introduce you to my oldest best friend.” Dylan drags Craig to her side. “He’s one of your biggest fans.”
“Oh, really?” Dad straightens, his brow rising. “Which show did you see? There weren’t many.”
Craig shakes his head, bending his knees like he’ll curtsey to my dad. “No… i-it wasn’t that. It was… something else.” His face burns red. “I just want to thank you for being an important part of my awakening.”
Dad’s face lights, and it hits me like a bolt. Knox’s question suddenly makes sense.
Dad steps forward, putting his arm around Craig, who I think is about to hit the floor. “That was just about the worst time of my life. I’m glad it helped somebody.”
Then he releases Craig, patting his back.
“You were a god holding that football,” Craig gushes, and my hand flies to cover my mouth.
“And on that note…” Dad nods. “I’m headed back to your mom.”
I burst into laughter, hugging my dad and walking with him to the door. “Hot stuff,” I tease.
“Promise me you’ll never look up that picture.” His tone is grave.
“Dad.” I stop at the door, cocking my eyes at him. “I promise. I will never look it up.”
“Come see us sometime, now.” He leans down to kiss the top of my head. “You’re still my Quarterback Princess.”
I grin, giving him another hug and promising I will. Strolling back to the dining room, I see a text on my phone.
My jaw tightens when I see who it is.
Chet
You didn’t have to go scorched earth on me, QP. I was just chasing a lead.
Melody
If that were true, you’d’ve told me what was coming.
Chet
That’s not how journalism works.
Melody
What you do isn’t journalism.
Chet
Agree to disagree.
I exhale a growl under my breath, but I happen to know some very vital information. During our monthly check-in with Jada, she told us she’d filed a lawsuit against Chet, Susan, and their whole organization.
Melody
I heard Jada Allen is suing you for entrapment and mental anguish.
Chet
She’ll run out of money before that happens.
I’m smiling as I tap out my reply.
Melody
Oh, we’ve started a fund for her. She’s not going anywhere. Goodbye, Shet!
The gray dots of his reply are still floating as I swipe over to block and delete his number. I’m not having that in my life for another second.
Lifting my chin, I look up to see Knox standing in the back with Austin and Edward joking around. It makes me smile.
Kim appears at my side, grabbing my hand. “Where have you been? You and I are going to dance.”
“Okay,” I laugh, following her out onto the crowded floor.
Knox’s uncles are dancing on the bar, surrounded by waitresses in cutoffs and tank tops, and it might only be February, but it’s Hot in Herre, which is the actual song they’re playing.
I sashay onto the dance floor behind Kim, and the two of us twist and dance with our hands in the air. I smile over my shoulder as Knox quickly dances up behind me, moving his hips and sliding his palms up my body.
Shaking my head, I turn and pretend to play hard to get—because I know he loves it. His blue eyes flash, and he leans down.
“Don’t taunt me, woman.” His stern voice vibrates my core. “I can only take so much from you.”
“Take the checkdown, K-Brad,” I tease, swaying my butt and lifting my arms again.
“You texted me once that I had to look at what was right in front of me.” His big sexy body moves in time with the music, heating my veins. “I’m looking, and I’m taking.”
I lift my chin, flickering my lashes at him. “You don’t have to take what you’re given.”
Large hands grasp my waist, pulling me flush against him. “I love you, my Melody.”
My arms wrap around his neck, and just as I seal my lips to his, I say the words. “I love you, too, my-Brad.”
We’re headed out, because we’re both ready to seal this deal when Aunt Liv stops us near the door.
“I filed the adoption paperwork this afternoon.” Her smile is warm, and my eyes heat. “The judge just has to sign off on it, but Cricket is officially your daughter… and a Bradford.”
“Our daughter.” I look up at my man.
He smiles, leaning down to kiss my nose. “Family. My greatest legacy.”
* * *
Thank you for reading Zone!