As we head toward the table, bits of their conversation drift into my ears. Brooke and Drew are debating—from the sound of it—what baseball flick to watch that afternoon.

  I smile when we arrive. “Hey there. I’m Ellie.”

  “Hey Ellie. So good to meet you,” Brooke says warmly, then pops up to give me a hug.

  I like her already. “I’m so excited to meet you.”

  After Gabe makes quick intros to Drew, we sit down and I slide right into the conversation. “So the debate is Sweet Spot, Ace and what was the other movie?”

  Drew clears his throat. “High and Tight,” he says in a serious tone.

  My spidey senses tingle. I arch a brow. “High and Tight? I feel like that’s a trick name,” I say and Brooke cracks up.

  Drew laughs too. “I made it up,” Drew says, with a casual shrug. “But it sounds plausible.”

  Gabe shakes his head in amusement, then stage whispers. “He’s such a clown.”

  Brooke nods in agreement. “Drew is the biggest clown,” she says.

  “Also, I think High and Tight’s probably a different kind of movie,” I offer.

  Brooke laughs, then adds, “Maybe not such a bad one either.”

  “Oh, we’re going to get along well,” I say to Brooke. I rub my palms. “All right. I have my vote on what movie you should watch.”

  Brooke beckons with her fingers. “Lay it on us.”

  “Sweet Spot,” I declare.

  Brooke’s brown eyes light up. “Yes, because it’s–”

  “Based on a book,” Brooke and I say in unison.

  Then I shoo Drew away from his spot, so I can switch with him. “Move, I need to sit next to your fiancée. I’ve already decided she’s fabulous and I adore her.”

  Brooke smiles. “I adore you too.”

  “And we need to talk about this book right now,” I add as we switch seats. With a harrumph, Drew takes my seat, but I don’t think he’s really mad.

  “Yes we do,” she says.

  “Told you so,” Gabe says to Drew.

  “Yup. They like each other,” Drew replies.

  I smile, then I focus on Brooke. We spend most of the meal discussing our favorite books.

  When we’re done with the meal, the four of us wander through Santa Monica, the guys chatting about their next poker game, Axel’s whereabouts, and who’s looking strong on the pro basketball team.

  With the guys a few steps behind us, Brooke shares insider tips with me on Venice, from the best bookstores to the best shops, since she’s lived in that neighborhood for some time. “Bling and Baubles is my favorite. My friend Rachel owns that shop,” she says offhand.

  My jaw drops. “Wait. Jewelry shop Rachel is your friend too?” I ask in excitement.

  “Yes. I’ve known her for a while.”

  “I already adopted her,” I say, then tell Brooke how I met Rachel.

  “Then that’s perfect. Do you want to join us for ping-pong later this week?” Brooke asks.

  I want nothing more than to play ping-pong with new friends. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” I say.

  “Me too,” Brooke seconds.

  I love LA.

  32

  MY CHEERLEADER

  Gabe

  First game of the season, and I am pumped. In the locker room before kickoff, the energy is bright and noisy.

  Coach comes in and gives a no-nonsense this is our time to show what focus is speech.

  When he’s done, I smack palms with most of the guys, another one of our pre-game rituals. Then, when it’s time to hit the field, our running back, Rand, chimes in with let’s go, whooping and clapping as we trot out.

  I’ve got my helmet in one hand, and my hacky sacks in the other.

  Well, rituals matter and this is my streak ritual. “Let’s put these to use all season,” I say to Drew as we reach the mouth of the tunnel.

  He offers a fist for knocking. “You know we will.”

  Then, the announcer calls my name and number, and I run out on the field, Drew following shortly behind, as the last one, since he’s the quarterback.

  And when we win the coin toss, he’s fast and lasered in on the target—me. I connect on the first pass of the opening drive, then gain another twenty-two yards.

  A few plays later, I put it in the end zone.

  And like that, we set a rhythm for the game. When I jog to the sidelines as special teams comes on, I look to the stands.

  And I grin. There she is. At least, I think it’s Ellie. We’ve got a packed crowd here.

  But I snagged her seats on the fifty-yard line. I squint, just making her out next to Rachel and Maddox, I think. Brooke is here too since she’s part of their crew now, and Ellie’s become fast friends with her.

  That’s my woman. She knows how to get along with anyone—she’s outgoing, friendly and unafraid.

  But the real way I can tell it’s Ellie is the outfit. She’s wearing a cheerleader costume. A tiny, pleated skirt, a cute sweater, and a pair of pom-poms.

  Well, later we have to role play naughty cheerleader and dirty football player.

  I wave to her, then blow her a kiss.

  When the game ends, I kiss her again, in the stands.

  Then in the corridor.

  Then at home, where she’s the naughtiest cheerleader there ever is.

  And to think I was determined to focus only on football this season. But I like playing ball even better when I have Ellie to come home to.

  EPILOGUE

  A Month or So Later

  Ellie

  One night in the fall, when Brooke’s out of town for work, I meet Rachel and Maddox for dinner and ping-pong. It’s the night of the Fabio’s List premiere. We don’t watch it. I don’t want to watch it.

  It’s part of my past, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I did, however, already see my interview. The producer sent me an advance clip.

  It was short and simple, and the segment was titled Moving On. “I credit my friends with helping me. They were there for me, and they helped me to see the signs. I’m grateful for them, and now I’ve fully moved on. I’m with a great guy,” I’d said.

  “What’s he like?” the producer asked off camera.

  “He’s the ultimate good guy,” I said with a smile.

  Gabe is a good one, through and through. But at night, he’s very, very bad. And that’s just the way I like it.

  I head to the ping-pong table and catch up with my friends, where Maddox tells us the latest on his love life.

  Well, not everything. He’s a private guy. But suffice to say, I’m eager for any details he’ll share.

  I settle onto my couch with my guy and my dog and a bowl of popcorn. It’s been months and months of hard work and long hours and chewed nails, but it’s finally time.

  It’s premiere night for The Dating Games.

  The opening credits roll and when Created by Ellie Snow scrolls across the screen, Gabe hoots and hollers.

  “That’s my woman,” he says, then smacks a kiss onto my cheek.

  I’m lit up like fireworks as the show begins. It’s surreal watching it on screen, knowing others are watching it too.

  The next day, I find out just how many.

  I believe the proper measurement is a fuck ton.

  Enough that once the ten-episode season ends a little later, Webflix renews it.

  But I’m not the only one having a good fall. In December, I round up my friends to head to the Mercenaries stadium, where we watch my boyfriend catch two touchdowns and nail a playoff spot.

  He’s celebrating on the field, but then he runs over to the sidelines, hoists me over the stands and onto the field, and kisses me madly.

  “You made this the best season ever. I love you,” he says, quiet but loud enough for me to hear above the noise of the crowd.

  “I love you too,” I say, so damn glad I took the good guy challenge for this great man.

  FINAL EPILOGUE

  Ellie

  All the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. I adjust one over the mantel, liking the way it looks in my home. Well, it’s almost our home now since Gabe is here nearly every night. Gigi stretches her legs behind her on the couch, posing frog style, the cutie. I walk over, since I can’t resist giving her a little chin scratch. “It looks good, don’t you think?”

  It looks fabulous like it always does, I imagine she says.

  A few presents sit under a little Christmas tree in the corner of the living room. Most are for Gigi since she loves her stuffed toys. Killing them that is.

  Gabe and I decided to donate to each other’s favorite charities as gifts. He picked animal rescue for me, and I picked youth sports for him.

  I savor the holiday view for another few seconds, until the sound of his shoes clicking across the floor grows louder. He must have just finished getting ready for the holiday party. He had a practice that ran late.

  “Hey sweetheart. You ready?” he calls out.

  I turn around and…wow. My guy is looking sharp and sexy in trim jeans and a dark blue button-down shirt. His stubble is working its magic on my libido.

  But then again, Gabe works his magic on my libido all the time.

  When his gaze meets mine, he stops in his tracks. His eyes roam up and down my body as he whistles in appreciation. “Damn woman,” he says.

  I smile at him, pleased he likes what he sees. “Glad you approve,” I say, jutting out my hip. I’m wearing a simple red dress.

  The dress isn’t racy. It isn’t showy. But I feel good in it, especially with his gaze on me.

  “It’s a wonder I kept my hands off you at that first eggnog party,” he says, closing the distance and putting those fantastic hands all over me, curling them around my hips, sliding up my sides, then around my back.

  “Well wonders can cease tonight,” I say. Then I give him a kiss, and when we separate, I say goodnight to Gigi.

  My little lady curls up on her the pink dog bed Gabe gave her as we leave. We take off, hopping into my red convertible, to make our way to Aunt Tilly’s eggnog party.

  Once we head inside my aunt’s pretty home, my mom sails over to us. She gives me a quick hug then turns immediately to the man by my side. “Gabe! I always knew you were the one for her,” she says.

  “You’re a smart woman, Mrs. Snow. And I completely agree with you.”

  She pats Gabe on the shoulder. “I knew my Ellie would break the bad boy habit.”

  I grin privately. “I sure did.”

  Gabe’s father strides over to us next, embracing his son. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen my mom or Gabe’s dad, but it always warms my heart to see Gabe and his father together. He has such a good relationship with his dad and it’s lovely to watch the two of them. After we make small talk for a little bit, his dad asks him, “Pancakes tomorrow? Will you be staying the night?”

  Gabe shakes his head apologetically. “Can’t. We weren’t able to get a sitter for Gigi tonight.”

  His dad chuckles almost under his breath. “You talk like you have kids.”

  Gabe’s all serious when he says, “Well, she’s ours so we have to look out for her.”

  His dad smiles. “All right. I get it.”

  We make the rounds, chatting with family and friends as the night unfolds, enjoying this party together, side by side. But later, as we grab our things to go, we walk under the mistletoe. In a flash, Gabe tugs me against him.

  “Just like that night,” he murmurs.

  “I have such fond memories of that night,” I say.

  “I hope you have fond memories of this one too,” he says, sounding a touch vulnerable.

  “I do,” I say, feeling warm and bubbly with him. “And I also think we happened at just the right time.”

  With a sexy rumble, he says, “Me too, sweetheart.”

  Then he kisses me under the mistletoe. My knees go weak. My belly flips. This man does it for me.

  When we return to my place, he unlocks the door, but he seems a little distracted. That’s not like him. He’s usually relaxed, cool, in charge. He’s borderline antsy now. Maybe because of the playoffs?

  After I let Gigi out, I ask if he wants a glass of champagne.

  “Yeah, that’d be perfect,” he says quickly. I head into the kitchen, pop open a bottle and pour two flutes. When I return to the living room, he’s sitting on the couch next to my pup who’s wearing a red and white bow tie.

  It’s the most darling thing I’ve ever seen. But my brow knits. “Did you get Gigi a Christmas bow tie?”

  “She looks good, doesn’t she?” he asks. He still sounds the slightest bit nervous.

  “She wears most things well.” I sit down on the couch with the two of them, and hand him a glass.

  He takes a drink. I do too. In tandem, we set down our glasses.

  He exhales sharply.

  I’ve never seen him like this.

  “Gabe, is everything okay?” I ask, right as he scoops up Gigi and sets her in my lap.

  In no time, he drops down to one knee. I gasp.

  “The bow tie’s for both of you.” He doesn’t sound nervous anymore. He sounds intensely serious.

  My heart climbs into my throat. “Oh my god,” I whisper.

  “I love you, Ellie Snow. I can’t imagine a life without you. And all I want is to make you mine for the rest of my life. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and I want to ask if you’ll have me for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?”

  As tears stream down my cheeks, I nod more times than I can count. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

  He tugs on the dog’s bow tie and a gorgeous diamond spills into his hand. There was a ring tucked into the bow tie. That’s so Gabe, proposing with my dog’s help.

  “It’s beautiful,” I say reverently.

  He slides it onto my finger and I am overwhelmed. By this life, this love, this man. I kiss him fiercely, declaring my yes.

  We marry that summer, then honeymoon in Italy and Greece, where we indulge in delicious meals and fantastic scenarios—like when we pretend I booked the wrong place and he’s the traveler who discovers me in his bed.

  Then punishes me in delicious ways.

  We return to Los Angeles after the most indulgent two weeks.

  Soon though, it’s time for training camp, so I wish him well as he heads to San Diego. He’s going as a coach. He’s working with the new receivers on the Mercenaries, and it’s a perfect job for him.

  I miss him the whole time, but I’m busy with my show.

  When he comes home a few weeks later, we don’t have to pretend we’re the husband and wife who missed each other terribly. Because we are that couple. He scoops me up, carries me to the bedroom and then fucks the hell out of me.

  Just what I want my husband to do.

  A few years later on his birthday, I surprise him with a gift.

  A pregnancy stick with two pink lines. His eyes flood with wonder and delight. “We’re going to have a baby,” he says. Then, with all the love I know he already feels, he drops to his knees and kisses my belly. I run my fingers through his hair. “Yes we are.”

  Then he rises, wraps his arms around me and kisses me tenderly. “You’re going to be such a great mom.”

  “And you are going to be a terrific dad.”

  Some things you just know with your whole entire heart.

  THE END

  Want more sexy and swoony romance? Veronica and Milo’s story was told in THE VIRGIN NEXT DOOR! You can grab that title right now and dive into a delicious boss-employee romance!

  Drew’s sexy, feel-good, forbidden romance was told in TWO A DAY. Indulge in some dirty talking, sex challenges, sex hacks, text mishaps, surprise twists and a forbidden romance between a player and the sexy woman in the executive suite!

  Want a peek into Gabe’s POV showing his life as a new dad? Sign up for my newsletter to get it delivered to your inbox right away! If you’re already subscribed, just sign up again to receive the scene — but don’t worry! You won’t be double subscribed.

  Maddox’s story is coming in TURN ME ON, a red-hot wildly forbidden MM romance!

  Hazel and Axel’s love story comes in MY SO-CALLED SEX LIFE. Find out what happens in the high-heat, enemies-to-lovers, only-one-bed-in-the-luxury-sleeper-car-on-a-train romance! Turn the page for a sneak peek!

  And you don’t want want to miss THE RSVP! This is a brand new contemporary romance that’s edgy, daring, sexy, and ultra forbidden! I have a teaser for you on the next page! You can order it everywhere!

  Want to experience Gabe and Ellie in paperback or audio! You can find this yummy story in those formats too! Go to my website for links!

  Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to be the first to know when swoony, sexy new romances are available or on sale!

  Eager for more sexy romance? Be sure to devour the entire Ballers and Babes MF football series here! You’ll also love The Rules of Love, another sexy MF sports romance series starting with The Virgin Rule Book! You might also like the Happy Endings series of standalones, the Always Satisfied series of standalones, and The Guys Who Got Away series of standalones!

  SNEAK PEEKS

  The RSVP teaser

  Bridger…

  “So, should I go with you?” She sounds hopeful, eager.

  My business should be at the top of my mind. My relationship with my business partner. The empire we’ve built. I have everything to lose, and still, I move to the couch. Sitting closer. “Harlow, I said this before. I need to say it again.” The words threaten to stick in my throat, but I press on. “Do you really think that’s a good idea? You and me at a party?”

  “I like the idea,” she says, strong, certain.