Comeback (The Holland Brothers Book 3)

Comeback: Chapter 43



Rain spits from the sky in the final minutes of the game. It’s been a tough one—not that any of them are easy, but the last field goal put us up by ten and has me breathing a little easier as the clock ticks down.

I glance over to the stands where Flynn is sitting. My dad is next to him. A weird sensation settles in my stomach every time I see him. This is the second game he’s attended and while I still don’t know how I feel about him or if I’m ready to have a relationship, I don’t hate having him here.

Another person I don’t hate being here is Max. My interpreter hangs back. He’s wearing a Mavericks polo and black pants. He has the appearance of being completely unaware, but the second I look to him, he’s always ready.

I wasn’t sure what it’d be like relying on him instead of keeping a constant vigilance myself, but we’ve found a nice rhythm working together and I have to admit I’ve been able to relax a little and focus on myself instead of worrying about everyone around me.

I glance back at my dad and Flynn as Brogan nudges me with his elbow.

“Is this two games in a row?” he asks.

I tear my gaze away from my dad. “Yeah.”

“Are you going to talk to him after this one?”

“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “Maybe. I can’t decide. But I do think it’s time to let the past go.”

“Looking to the future?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, something like that.”

His lips pull into a smirk. “Maybe one with a certain sister of mine.”

I can’t help but smile in return. “You’re going to be the biggest pain in my ass as a brother-in-law, aren’t you?”

The smile on his face slips for a second and his expression is dazed, making me worry he isn’t as on board with Sabrina being my end game as I thought he was.

“Damn, I just realized we’ll finally be related for real when you marry Sabrina. And she’ll be a Holland. It feels right since I’ve felt like one most of my life.”

Relief and happiness pour through me. “You’ve always been my brother. Now it’ll just be a little more official.”

“Assuming she says yes,” he taunts.

Fuck. I hadn’t considered that she might not say yes.

As if he can read my thoughts, which after all these years wouldn’t even surprise me, he says, “She’ll say yes. She’s crazy about you.”

“Will you help me ask her?”

“Tonight?”

I nod. I’ve been carrying the ring around for a few days now, trying to figure out when and where I should pop the question and freaking out that maybe it’s too soon. But today, tomorrow, or next year—I’m ready.

“Yeah.” He nods. “Hell fucking yeah.”


After the game, I text Sabrina to ask her to meet me at the studio in an hour. Now that I’m managing the place, I have my own key, but this is the first time I’ve used it.

I let us in, and the guys help me decorate. We’ve got dozens of vases of roses and candles. My nerves are bouncing all around the place and I’m frantically pacing while the guys light every single candle.

“Let me see the ring,” Slade says, grinning.

I pull it out of my pocket and crack the box open.

“Daaamn, Holland.”

“Is that a good ‘daaamn’?” I ask. He’s smiling, but I get the feeling he would be either way. I’m not convinced he isn’t still trying to steal my girl, and me fucking this up would be a good opening for him.

“It’s beautiful.” He claps me on the shoulder and squeezes a little harder than necessary. “You’re a lucky man.”

“Thanks,” I say, and he doesn’t let go. “That kind of hurts.”

“Mhmmm.” He keeps grinning at me. “I know.”

He finally lets go and I roll my shoulder back. Chuckling, I close the ring box and slide it back in my pocket.

“Okay.” Brogan claps his hands together as he comes to stand in front of me. “Everything is set.”

I glance around the studio. Flowers and candles have been set up to form a walkway from the front door to the dance floor. It looks better than I could have imagined.

“Thank you for this,” I say, stepping forward and hugging him. “Love you, brother.”

“Love you too.” He pats my back and moves back. “We’re going to get out of your way before she gets here. Text me and let me know how it goes and then come to Slade’s so we can celebrate.”

“He’s having a party?” I ask, glancing around for the big guy, but he’s already gone.

“Of course. It’s a big night and we’re throwing you an epic engagement party.”

“Doe Slade know you’re hijacking his party?”

“It was his idea.”

“Probably hoping she says no and comes crying to him,” I mutter. My palms are sweaty.

“She won’t say no.” He smacks me softly on the cheek. “Look at this face. You’re a good guy, funny, handsome, your friends are top-notch. And I’ve seen you naked.” He gives me a thumbs-up.

“Okay. Okay.” I wave off the pep talk as he bursts out laughing.

I take a deep breath. I’m ready. No matter her answer, I need her to know this is where I’m at. She’s it for me.

His laughter dies off and he stares at me a beat, smiling but not saying anything. But that’s the thing about me and Brogan. We know each other so well that I don’t need for him to tell me how happy he is, I can see it. And I bet when he looks at me, he sees the same thing.

Once the guys are all gone, I go to stand on the dance floor. Every second feels like an eternity, but the moment Sabrina walks through the door, time stands still. Fuck, she’s beautiful.

“What did you do?” she asks, walking toward me slowly as she takes in all the roses and candles. When her gaze lands back on me, she has tears in her eyes.

“I can’t take all the credit. Your brother has a flair for romantic gestures.”

She laughs quietly. “What’s the occasion?”

My heart rate picks up. “Just a little planning meeting.”

Her brows lift up, but she doesn’t question that.

I take her right hand in mine. She looks nervous now but touching her has my anxiousness abating.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you in my life. You amaze me and inspire me. Look at what you did with this place.” I glance around. This place feels like her: fun and welcoming.

“I want a front-row seat to all the big things you’re going to accomplish. I want to be there, supporting and loving you, the same way you’ve done for me. You have made my life so much better. Loving you has made me better. I feel like I was only half-living before you.”

I drop her hand so I can pull the ring box out of my pocket and then get down on one knee. A smile spreads across her face with a laugh that comes out like a sob.

“Every piece of me loves every piece of you, Sabrina Whitlock. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She signs the word a dozen times in between wiping away tears.

My heart is racing as I stand and put the ring on her finger. Sabrina stares at it slack-jawed.

“It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.” She holds it over her heart. “And heavy.”

Chuckling, I take her hand in mine. “I might have to get you another one for the other hand to even out the weight distribution.”

She steps forward and flings her arms around my neck.

“I love you forever,” she says as she clings to me.

I wrap her up and hold her against me, picturing doing this a million more times through every stage of our lives. I’m looking forward to all of it.


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