“What about a marriage certificate?” I fret. “Is this even legal?”
“You’ll sign that in front of the lady with judge’s robes. She’s apparently a real judge that Hammer’s mom knows.” Riley grabs me by the shoulders. “Are you sure about this? Because I’m sure that there are other ways for you to pay for college. And the football season is almost over. Knox and you can be together when it’s over.”
This is why Jack asked me all those questions in the car. He thinks that marrying Knox will get me back into school, but I’d never marry anyone just for that reason.
“I love him, Riles. My heart beats for him, and when he’s not with me, I’m not complete. It’s reckless, but if he wants me, then I’d be a fool not to take this chance with him.”
It’s not even a chance. The way he looks at me with all that love and certainty, it’s about the least risky act I’ll take my entire life.
A hallway door bangs open and we both jump. Riley and I exchange nervous looks. Is that the coach? Someone else who could get us all in trouble? We peer out of the glass in the door and I see my father.
At first, my heart flutters with excitement. He’s here to give me away. But then as he gets closer I realize he’s not wearing a suit, but instead slacks and a sweater. My dad’s a businessman. He knows what to wear to every occasion. Plus, there’s the pissed off look on his face that doesn’t match with a I’m happy you’re getting married expression.
I pull open the door and step out. He stops a few feet away from me, his brown shoes nearly brushing the edge of my voluminous skirt.
“Hi, Dad.” I hate that my voice trembles as if I’m a scared little five-year-old.
“I heard about this nonsense from your mother and have come to put a stop to it. I know the full details of your punishment. You are to stay away from the team. If you do not, your brother could suffer severe consequences.”
He grabs my arm to drag me away.
I jerk out of his grasp. “No, you’re wrong. The exact terms—”
He throws up a hand. “I don’t need to hear your bullshit. You’re coming with me.”
The door to the practice facility opens and closes. “Sir, please shut up and sit down, or get the hell out.”
“Knox Masters.” My father looks the dark-suited figure up and down with disdain. “You’re welcome to fuck my daughter when it doesn’t jeopardize my son’s play on the field.”
“It’s not Knox. It’s his brother, Kintyre,” I say.
Ty smiles at me and straightens his black tie. “It’s the tie, isn’t it?”
Knox has a blue one on—Warrior colors.
“I just know, Ty. You can’t pull those tricks on me.”
“You don’t know how happy I am that I can’t.” He leans in and gives me a soft kiss, then offers his arm to Riley. “May I walk you down the aisle?”
She grabs his arm, but turns back to give me a worried glance. When Jack appears, she gives a sigh of relief.
Jack takes one look at our dad and charges out. “What the hell are you doing here? You told me you wouldn’t come if the commissioner himself showed up.”
I notice for the first time that Jack stands three inches taller than Dad, and that Dad looks…small and weak.
“I thought you’d stop this farce, but I got a phone call from Masters’ parents begging me to attend, and that I would regret not seeing my only daughter get married. What I’ll regret is not saving you from your sister and her idiocy.” He straightens the bottom of his sweater. “I came to put an end to this disaster.”
“It’s not a disaster.” Jack shakes his head in disgust. “You’re the disaster. Get out. Neither of us wants anything to do with you.” Jack turns to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, Ellie. Let’s finalize the new team. I think you made a good decision with your draft pick.”
I let him draw me away, because in front of me waits my new life. Behind us, I hear our dad sputtering, but when we get through the practice facility door, a line of broad shoulders blocks the doors. No one else will come in.
Knox’s mother comes forward. Jack stops in front of her and steps to the side. Mrs. Masters lifts a strand of pearls and hooks them around my bare neck. “Something borrowed.”
I have to swallow rapidly to keep from crying. “Thank you, Mrs. Masters.”
“Nicole, my dear. It’s Nicole.” She pats my cheek. “Or Mom.”
Then she steps away and Jack takes her place again. He draws me forward to stand next to Knox at the fifty yard line. His teammates draw close.
“I’m not supposed to have contact with the football team,” I hiss.
“There's no one here but your family. And your family to be. Amirite?” Knox asks.
“I don't see anyone else,” Jack answers. The two of them look into the crowd of navy and black suits who all turn and look behind them.
Jack turns back and shrugs. “No one here but family.”
The judge marries us. It’s all a blur for me. I say the words “I do” when prompted, but I mostly remember Knox’s strong hands holding me up the entire time.