Page 234 of Tangled with the Tight End

“Let her through,” someone says.

Cass stands up and people move out of my way. I step onto the concrete stairs and start running down toward Declan.

People start cheering.

Declan runs right up to his side of the wall. I glance toward the jumbotron to get a better view of him attempting to scale it. A security guard moves toward Declan, giving him a foot up. As soon as he’s over the wall, Declan runs to me, grabbing me and lifting me into the air.

Our eyes lock and he says, “I love you, Winona. I’m so sorry.”

“I love you, too,” I say.

I have so much more to say to him. I want to tell him he did his best. To assure him I know his heart. To let him know this didn’t break us. But his lips are on mine, salty with sweat, but sweeter than ever. His arms hold me tight and I loop my arms around his neck, my tears mingling into our kiss—tears of sheer joy—of relief at finally being back where I belong.

Declan hums into our kiss, gently setting me on the ground.

I glance over his shoulder and there we are—larger than life on the Jumbotron. People around us are cheering and hooting and snapping pictures. Something in me knows it’s not so they can mock me this time.

Declan cups my jaw. “I love you. I’m never letting you go again.”

“Good,” I say, smiling up at him. “Because next time, I’m storming the gates. All three of them.”

“There won’t be a next time,” he says, leaning in and kissing me again.

He slows our kiss and only pulls away enough to put the smallest space between us. His arms are still wrapped around me. “I should have never made the decision for you.” His words are soft and private. “You’re strong. And together we’re strong enough to face whatever comes.”

“You were just trying to protect me.”

“I made a mistake. My heart was in the right place, but I didn’t do the right thing.”

“You’re here now.”

“I am. And this time I’m here for good.”

“I’m here for good too,” I tell him. “I’m not backing down. I told you then, and I still mean it. If facing haters online is a price I pay for loving you, I’ll pay that price—gladly.”

He kisses my forehead, cupping my face.

“By the way,” I whisper to him. “You played a good game.”

He smiles.

“I knew Delaney was going for a play action pass,” I tell him. “I called it.”

He smiles a wide smile that makes his dimple pop. Then he leans in and kisses me again, wrapping one arm around my back and tugging me to himself. His kiss is hungry and consuming—one of those kisses that makes me forget everything except him.

“What was that for?” I ask when we separate.

“You. All that football talk.”

“Touchdown … tight end … flag on the play …” I say, teasing him and wagging my brows like I’m being super sexy.

Declan lifts his hand and brushes my hair back. “Will you be here when I’m finished? In the family room?”

“I’ll be here,” I promise him.

His eyes rove down to my jersey as if he’s noticing it for the first time.

“You wore my jersey.”