Page 162 of Through the Storm

“I’m going to ask Katy to marry me.”

She stills. “Oh,” she says softly. “Well. It’s about time.”

Declan huffs.

Grandma Patty’s gaze flicks between us, taking it in, measuring it.

“And?” she asks, gesturing me to continue.

“I love her,” I say. “And I love our son. They’ll always come first, and football will always come second.”

Declan straightens slightly. Grandma Patty’s expression softens, but not completely.

Declan exhales, slow. “And just so we’re clear,” he says, calm, steady, “if you ever hurt her again?—”

“I won’t,” I say.

He doesn’t react to that.

“Not even Ella will be able to save you.”

He doesn’t raise his voice. He’s simply telling me a fact.

“I understand.”

Grandma Patty clicks her tongue. “Please. If he hurts her, I’ll get to him first.”

Declan nods once. “Fair. I can see that.”

I huff a quiet laugh, some of the tension easing.

Grandma Patty steps closer, studying me now. “You really love her,don’t you?” she asks.

“Yes.”

She nods slowly, satisfied. “Good. Because that girl loves you in a way that’s going to ruin her if you don’t take care of it properly.”

“I know,” I say quietly. “I just want to keep deserving it.”

Declan’s mouth quirks. “She’s already yours, even if you don’t deserve it,” he teases.

I shake my head slightly. “No. I don’t. But I want to keep trying to.”

That earns me a look of approval from both of them.

Declan steps forward and claps a hand on my shoulder. Firm. Final. “Alright. I’m happy for you. Katy will be thrilled,” he says.

“That’s what Ella said.”

He snorts. “She’s been saying it for months.”

As I turn toward the door, Declan calls after me?—

“Go propose to your girl before someone ruins it.”

A beat.

“Ella is terrible at keeping secrets.”