Carter

“I’m going to be sick,” I complained, rubbing my stomach. I groaned and sat back in the seat behind me. Thankfully, it’d been there, or I would have fallen on my ass.

Dad laughed. He came up and clasped me on the shoulder, applying pressure in a reassuring way. “You’ll be fine.”

“How can you say that? I’m a nervous wreck. I should have gone to the bathroom and then maybe had something to eat. I haven’t eaten, Dad, which says it all.”

He laughed again.

The door opened, and I saw Tom peek around the curtain. “It’s just a student.”

Then I heard Wesley’s cry, “She’s coming. She’s coming.” I stood and went to the edge to see him take his place in the front row of the gym. Reagan thought she was joining the after-lunch assembly because Tom wanted to talk about the school dance. She was wrong. I was there with my family and hers to ask her to marry me. That was if I didn’t throw my guts up and clear the room out because it stank.

“You ready?” Tom asked around the curtain on stage.

I jumped like a little girl, forgetting he was standing there. Sweat formed on my brow and hands. “Yes,” I squeaked. Clearing my throat, I nodded. “Yes,” I said again, only manlier.

The door to the gymnasium opened. I heard the click-clack of her heels, the ones I’d picked out that morning for when she asked me to grab her some shoes since she was running late. Again.

Though, I did enjoy the way I woke her, with my head between her legs. She loved it too, then refused to leave the bed without returning the favor.

The room quieted.

Damn it, someone had to talk or at least make a noise. Assemblies were usually loud with the students talking and stuffing around.

I caught sight of Reagan standing near the door, searching the room with her brows dipping in suspicion. I waved my arms about like a mad-man to Brooke standing below the stage. She glanced up and I mouthed, “Do something.”

Brooke nodded and then went over to Reagan. Thank God she caught her attention before Reagan’s gaze ran too close to the back of the room where some of my former-teammates and our family members were. Brooke took hold of Reagan’s hand and pulled her along to the other side. I shoved Tom out onto the stage.

He stumbled forward. A look of shock and then annoyance crossed his features, but in my defense, I panicked and needed to get him out there to get things started.

He cleared his throat into the mic and then tapped it. “Well, it looks like my lecture about silence has been listened to. Good work, students.” He clapped, and I saw Reagan relax a little. Smart thinking, Tom.

As he rattled on and on about the dance, my nerves settled down more. Why? Because I got to watch Reagan standing there, smiling, pulling faces to some of the students and whispering to Brooke. I grinned, knowing I was making the best and most important decision I had ever made in my whole life.

Reagan Wild was made for me.

She was supposed to be my wife.

And I couldn’t wait to make it happen.

We’d been inseparable since football ended for me. I’d moved into her room the night after the Super Bowl and never left. I couldn’t imagine my life without going to sleep and waking up next to Reagan each morning before I left for my coaching job at the local college. I enjoyed my new job, glad it was close to where we lived—though one day we’d need a bigger house once Reagan and I started a family, another part of life I was very much looking forward to. I loved the woman I was about to ask to marry me.

Only…

“Carter, slow your breathing down,” Dad whispered.

I took a deep breath, nodding. Doubt crept into my mind. What happened if Reagan hated the idea of me proposing to her here in the school? I rationalized it was where we’d first reconnected. Where our paths crossed. When I fell in love with her a little after she asked Brooke to pick her underwear from her butt.

Hell, would she even want to marry me?

Screw those thoughts.

Yes. Yes, she would. Why? Because she loved me and showed it each and every day, like I did with her. In each look, touch, and word. We were a match, and no one could say different.

“And the award for funniest teacher goes to… Reagan Wild,” Tom announced into the microphone. I caught Reagan’s look of surprise before Brooke pushed her toward the stage steps. She climbed them and made her way over to Tom who was holding a trophy.

Her happiness shone in her eyes and grin. She took the trophy from Tom and looked down at it. Her brows dipped. Her head tilted to the side.

“Huh?” she said. She glanced up at Tom. “Why is it a golf award with your name on it?”

I walked onto the stage with Dad giving me an encouraging pat on the back. I stopped just behind Reagan. Tom took the award back with a bit of a struggle since Reagan wasn’t letting it go. People laughed.

I got to one knee behind her, and Tom told her, “Look behind you.”

She relented her grip and slowly turned. Spotting me, her hands flew to cover her mouth, but I heard her gasp. Tears filled her eyes.

“Reagan Wild, even as a teenager you captivated me. Fate made sure we reentered each other’s lives, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Never have I loved anyone as much as I love you. I’d be honored if you would become my wife, so we can spend the rest of our days together.”

Silence.

Shit. Nothing but silence as she blinked down at me, tears falling with each blink.

Tom got close to her. “This is where you answer him.”

She was statue still, and for a moment I was worried… until she sucked in a ragged breath and whispered, “Are you sure?”

People laughed once again.

I grinned up at her. “Positive.”

She nodded, then nodded again, and before I could brace, she flung herself at me. I went to my back on the stage, chuckling. Cheers and screams erupted around us, but I only had eyes for the woman smiling brightly down at me.

“I love you, Carter Anthony.”

“I love you, Reagan Wild, soon-to-be Anthony.”

Then, right there in front of everyone, she kissed me.

“Keep it clean, kids,” we heard Tom mutter.

Breaking the kiss, I smiled softly up at my fiancée and reached for her hand to slip the ring on her finger. This was us. Two people who fumbled their way through it all but came out loving each other in the end.

“You’re mine forever now,” she whispered.

“And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”