He’d asked Jerry’s permission for her hand just last week, and Jerry had teared up and said, “It’s about damn time, son.”
That was all the encouragement he’d needed. He’d had the ring for two weeks now and it was perfect—a sparkling 2.5 karat yellow diamond, symbolizing his sweet Sunflower.
As he came to the podium where Jerry and Madi stood, he looked into her eyes. God, he was so in love with her. Her honey-gold locks framed her oval face, her Caribbean blue-green eyes sparkled beneath smoky eyeshadow, and her lips were a perfect coral color. He gave her a smile and stood stoic, puffing his chest out, the proud god that he was.
“I come to you tonight—fans, Atlanta, America—as a humble servant. Six months ago, we lost a family member. Most of you who know me, know that me and this beautiful lady here,” Brett motioned to Madi, “go way back in time. We met as children not far from this stadium, on the very practice field I work on most days of the week. She was a girl that could actually throw a football.” His brow went up, showing his pride. “I know, right? What’s not to love about that?” The crowd laughed along with him, and he waited for them to quiet down before he continued. “We obviously became great friends after that. Our fathers worked together for an entire decade and a half before my father retired early. Madi and I went to UGA together, where we met Hunter and the rest is history…or is it?” He looked back at Madi and grinned. “I never dreamed I’d fall in love with my best friend.” Ok, he was overdramatizing the truth a little for the crowd, but he had Madi’s reputation on the line here. “But as I live and breathe—and stand before you here today—that’s exactly what happened.” He saw Madi’s face blush as she looked around as if to say, “Brett, what the hell are you doing?”
He continued, “Madison Hope Thomas, I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. You make me feel at peace, at home, like life can’t get any sweeter. And we both know how short it can really be. I love everything about you. Your laugh, your smile, the way you care for other people, the way you sing in the car, even the fact that you’re technically my boss.” Another laugh came through the crowd. And Brett grinned and shrugged. “But baby, I love that you’re my best friend, and I want so much for you to be mine forever. So, I’ll ask you in front of all these people: fans, players, our families and friends.” He moved away from the podium then, took the ring from his soon-to-be father in law, and dropped to one knee. He looked up at Madi, who’d covered her mouth with her hands, tears running from her gorgeous eyes. “Will you make all my dreams come true? Will you marry me?”
Madi nodded and uncovered her face. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He bolted upright and pulled her against his padded frame. He kissed her like it was fourth and goal and the kiss would be the final way to score, like his damn life depended on it. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back, cupping his face in her hands and beaming from ear to ear.
“I love you, my Sunflower. I love you forever and always.”
“Always and forever, Cap.” She kissed him again before pulling back as he took the ring from its box to place on her ring finger; she’d long ago put her wedding band on a chain around her neck. She looked down at the sparkling diamond and smiled.
“You’re my Sunflower, baby—my hope, my happiness, my joy. Never forget that.”
She pulled him back to her for another scorching kiss, then teased as she said. “Alright, fiancé—now go and win this ball game. That’s an order, from your boss.” She planted her hands on her hips with a smirk.
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted her and got one more kiss before he turned and left the podium.
“That’s gorgeous, Madi,” Sky murmured and eyed the ring on her finger as Madi returned to the luxury box. “But I’m so glad it was you who got the public service announcement instead of me.” Sky held her chest in relief. “I threatened to snip Trav’s balls off if he did that.”
So, that was why Trav had proposed at her house instead of on the field as he’d originally planned to do.
“How does it feel, Mrs. Soon-to-be-McFadden?” Val asked with a giggle and plopped down behind them with a plate of food.
“Good but a little scary,” Madi admitted. “I mean, baby on the way, engaged. It’s kind of intimidating, seeing as Hunter’s only been gone six months now.” She looked down, feeling bad.
“Don’t you dare!” Sky took her face in her hands. “You deserve to be happy. Hunt wouldn’t take that away from you, not ever.”
“You guys don’t think Brett and I are moving a little fast?”
“Fast? Hell, he only took twenty years to tell you how he felt. How is that fast?” Brooke smirked and took Madi’s hand, examining the ring there. “He did good, but listen to me.” When Madi turned, Brooke continued, “You and Hunt weren’t so great together. He didn’t always bring out the best in you. I miss the asshole but, let’s be honest, he wasn’t the one for you. Brett is. You’re going to have his baby. It’s only fitting that you two should be married. And ya know, the sooner the better ‘cause when you tell Momma that you’re pregnant, your ass had better have had your honeymoon.”
Madi gritted her teeth. It was true; their mom was gonna have a shit-fit.
“So, I’m thinking Vegas—tick-tock, tick-tock—the sooner y’all tie the knot, the sooner you rip that Band-Aid off. Your only saving
