Page 135 of Tangled with the Tight End

“They’re going to give you so much crap when they see you. Gird yourself for some serious teasing.”

“I can handle them,” I say.

“I know,” he says with a smile.

Then he leans down and places one more soft kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you at one.”

I nod. “See you.”

I walk behind him to the door and shut it when he’s halfway down the porch steps. I sink into the wood, sliding down to the floor and running my fingertips over my lips with a sigh.

Declan and I are … dating? Something. We’re something.

Cass comes out of the kitchen, her timing revealing the fact that she was listening, at least listening enough to know when he left.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” she says, holding her hands up in innocence. “I heard the door shut.”

“He wants to see where things can go between us,” I tell her.

“And?” She’s practically bouncing on her toes with giddiness.

“And, I’d rather have this time with him and possibly lose him than not give us this chance.”

Chapter 21

Declan

To be trusted is a greater compliment

than being loved.

~ George MacDonald

I propel into the training room, aiming for the table where my therapist will evaluate my progress and then do some massage and mobility work before sending me to my workout with our trainer.

I’m only halfway across the room when Delaney pokes his head into the room.

“Announcement!” He claps and whistles. “Announcement!”

I shake my head, a half-smile on my face even though I don’t want to give him the satisfaction.

“Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known in this fair land that our tight end has secured himself a girlfriend!”

Whoops, catcalls and laughter fill the therapy room.

Girlfriend.

I’m good with that.

Winona seems to still be a little confused as to what we’re doing. I am not confused at all. I want her. And now that we’re clear about our feelings for one another, I’ll take all the labels. Dating. Girlfriend. All of it.

I nod my head, basically confirming Delaney’s announcement. Then I turn around using my crutches to maneuver and bow once, turn and bow again, and then pivot one more time and bow to the final group of my teammates.

“Get it out of your systems,” I say. “I knew this was coming. You’re not original or surprising.”

“We’re just warming up!” Caleb Sutton shouts from the other side of the room.

“She’s in the building!” Aaron Hayward adds.