The Way We Score: A small-town, accidental pregnancy, sports romance. (The Bradford Boys)

Liv is by my side as we step out into the brisk fall morning. I put my hand over hers, tucked in my arm, as we make our way south from my apartment to Fifth Avenue.

I haven’t told her where we’re going, because I’ve been trying to figure out how to get away with this since I looked up and saw her standing beside Maddy in the box at my game.

Seeing her there, wearing my jersey, waving and smiling after every play cemented what I want in my chest. My feelings for her couldn’t be more certain, and I have a plan. And I really don’t want to spoil it.

Dylan’s confidence boosts mine. Seeing my girl is in love with me in print makes it feel more official somehow, even if it is just a text from my little sister. Also, Dylan’s plan is pretty solid. I’ll have to remember how sneaky she is next time I have to pull off a surprise.

“I thought we were going to brunch?” Liv’s brow furrows when I take a turn on Fifth Avenue away from the restaurant.

“Just need to make a quick stop.” I lead her to the brass and glass, art deco front doors of Tiffany & Co.

“Garrett…” She hesitates, pulling her hand out of my arm. “What are we doing?”

Her reaction fans the anxiety simmering in my chest, but I push through it and smile, focusing on Dylan’s ruse.

“Come on, Liv. Apparently I’m a bad dad if I don’t give you a push present.” Tilting my head, I act disappointed. “Are you trying to make me a bad dad?”

Her lips tighten against the smile trying to break out, and her pretty, pretty hazel eyes mist. “I would never do that. It would be impossible.”

“Then get in here.” I take her hand, leading her into the iconic jewelry store.

It’s a surprisingly low-key establishment. Other than the stunning arched windows lining the walls, it’s just a large room full of glass cases arranged around the center. Clerks stand behind them wearing suits and smiles, and I lead her up to the closest one.

“How may I help you today?” The man almost sounds British, he’s so formal.

“We’re looking for an assortment of gifts for my lady here.” I motion to Liv.

“An assortment?” She leans into me, hissing a whisper.

“It’s for what you might call a push present.” I use a fancy accent when I say it—two can play at this game. “But I want it to be a surprise.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I don’t want her to know exactly what she’s going to get, so I’d like her to pick several things for me to choose from.”

“Very smart.” His expression is placid. “How would you like to proceed?”

Leaning my arm on the glass case (yes, I see him wince), I look up at Liv. “Would it be possible for her to walk around and note the items she likes, then you can give me the list?”

“Absolutely.”

“Garrett.” Liv’s expression is flat. “I can’t walk around pointing out things.”

“Sure you can. Put a Post-it on whatever makes you happy.”

Her eyes narrow, and I swear, I love this woman. She’s the same girl I fell in love with in ninth grade, but with so much more strength and a little edge. I love that she keeps me on my toes.

“Do it.” I wave my hands at her. “I’ll just sit over here scrolling social media.”

“I thought we were having brunch.” She leans closer.

“Mr… Statler is it? Would Tiffany’s happen to have a snack for my lady? To help her concentrate.”

“Indeed, we do.” He motions to a minion standing at the back, who quickly steps forward. “Snack.”

“Yes, sir.” It’s a hushed whisper.

Liv is furnished with a tiny box of robin’s-egg blue macarons. She takes one out and bites it carefully.

“It’s vanilla!”

“Tiffany vanilla, Miss,” the kid supplies with a smile.

She ducks forward, covering her nose with her fingers. “Thank you.”

Liv wanders away, and I motion to Statler. “Be sure she picks out a diamond ring in her size. Something I can pick up this week.”

I give him a wink, and he places his finger on the side of his nose. Then I walk over and sit in a gold, satin-covered chair and pull out my phone.

A half-hour later, we’re at the door. Statler emails me the list of her choices, including item numbers and colors, and I scan it quickly, looking for rings. I’m happy to see she picked out a few oversized statement rings and one delicate square-shaped diamond with smaller diamonds down the sides of the band. It’s simple and elegant, just like Liv.

I give the clerk a brief salute. “See you soon, Stat.”

“Yes, sir.” He withdraws as formally as he appeared.

Liv slips her hand in my arm, looking up at me with sparkling eyes. “That was fun. I felt like a princess.”

“Good.” Lifting my chin, I kiss her forehead, happiness brewing in my chest. “Whatever you want to do, just let me know.”

“Right now I’d like to get some lunch. Baby girl is starving.”

“You’ve got it.”

“It’s been fun playing with you again.” Ricky stands at the edge of the field in his uniform. “You know, we could’ve had something out here.”

“I already have a girlfriend, Rick.” I’m doing so well at this whole evolution thing. I really wanted to call him Dick just then.

“Yeah, I know, you’re a family man now.” He lifts his chin in the direction of Charlie’s box. “Can’t say I blame you. I did a little googling and Olivia Bankston was some hot shit when she was a dancer.”

“Yes. Still is.” Anger tightens in my throat.

He’s not as dumb as he looks, because he quickly raises both hands. “No offense—I meant it as a compliment!”

I size him up a second. If I kick his ass, I’d probably have to stay here longer or something worse, and I know Liv wants to get back to Newhope. “We’d better head out.”

As we jog onto the sidelines, I look up at her in the box beside Maddy. They both wave, and the swell of joy in my chest helps me forget about The Dick.

Instead, I think about getting her down to the field after the game. Maddy and Charlie are both in on it, and Fred is actually holding the ring for me, which I picked up this morning.

My muscles are jittery thinking about it. It’s one of the crazier things I’ve done. I hope she says yes. I hope it makes her laugh, because nothing is better than Liv’s laugh.

Charlie jogs up to me, bumping his fist on top of mine, and he looks up to blow a kiss to Maddy in the box. “She doesn’t have any idea?”

I filter through our day, shaking my head. “Not that I can tell.”

“You are one brave motherfucker. Everybody is going to be watching. Tonight’s game is on CBS.”

It’s a tough one. We’re playing Texas—Jack’s old team.

The whistle blows, and we all jog onto the field. One thing about playing the Mustangs, they’re historically great, so we’ll have to work tonight if we plan to win.

We line up, and in the seconds while we wait for the snap, Number 59, the defensive lineman across from me is already shit talking. “Thought you’d retired, 50, started having babies.”

I’ve faced this guy many times in the past. He’s a good player, about two inches taller and fifty pounds wider than I am, and I’ll be doing good to hold him in place.

“Did you cry? Did you think you’d get the sack?” I’ve never been one to back down from some good shit-talk.

“I’ll get your Johnson.”

That does it. I snort a laugh as the ball snaps, and we all charge forward. I hit him as hard as I can with my shoulder to his torso, doing my best to keep him from drilling straight through the line and sacking Charlie.

Almost as soon as it starts, the play’s over, and he pushes me back. “I thought you were tough. You hit me, and I didn’t even move.”

We’re standing face to face. “That’s right, you didn’t move.”

He didn’t, and Charlie got the pass off. We gained a few yards, but it’s not enough.

The refs blow the whistles to break it up, but we’re not really fighting. Looking up as we jog down the field, I see Liv in my jersey bouncing Paxton on her hip. He’s in a baby version of Charlie’s jersey, and Liv smiles, waving his little hand. It makes me laugh, and I blow them a two-finger kiss, which she pretends he catches.

The game feels long and short somehow. I do my best to create openings for Ricky, but the Texas D-line is a wall. At one point we snap, and neither side even moves.

“Have you lost weight?” Fifty-nine is still going. “You look like you’ve been dieting. Must be why I can’t feel you at all.”

It’s a low-scoring game, and by the third quarter, we’ve only made one field goal. Texas has scored, so they’re up by four. We’re all the way at the end zone, three yards to go, and Charlie pulls me to him.

“We’re not going to win this without that opening, Grizz.”

“I’m doing my best, Chuck.”

“I’m going to send it to Ricky.” He slaps my back, and we jog to the line. “Make it happen, then you can focus on your plan.”

Shaking my head, I go to the line. I’m thinking about my plan, but it’s not keeping me from playing well. It’s the fucking truck across from me.

I take a few steps back. Maybe if I get a little speed before I hit him, I’ll actually move him out of the way.

The ball snaps, and I dig in with my feet, charging towards my guy. His eyes are lit when he sees me coming, but something happens. I don’t see what it is, but he goes down right in front of me.

I’m flying on momentum, and I throw up my legs, jumping clear over him when I realize I’m across the goal line. I spin around, and my eyes lock with Charlie’s. Guys are scrambling all over the field, it’s chaos on every side, but I’m wide open.

Charlie’s under pressure. A big guy is headed straight at him, but he pulls back and fires the ball, fast as a bullet to where I’m standing. Time stops, silence falls around me. I’m solid in my stance, but in my peripheral vision, I see 59 is up and barreling at me.

My chest is tight. When he hits, it’s gonna hurt, but I’ve got this. He’s behind the ball, and I only have to stretch out my hands… and pluck it out of the air as the clock runs down.

The minute it hits my chest, 59 plows into me, sending me to the turf, but I don’t drop the ball.

It’s the winning play of the game, and the stadium explodes.

I’m only on my back long enough to catch a breath when two guys grab my arms and haul me to my feet. One of them actually tries to lift me.

Fans are screaming, jumping up and down, and hugging each other. Blinking around, I get my bearings just in time to see Charlie running to jump onto my back.

I take a staggering step forward as he laughs, yelling in my ear. “Whatever else happens tonight, that play’s going in the books!”

It’s true. Linemen pretty much never score touchdowns. It’s not our job.

Charlie laughs, pulling my shoulder pads and doing a dance. Shaking my head, I’m still getting over that last-ditch effort by 59. It’s going to leave a bruise.

His helmet’s off, and he’s holding up a hand and smiling. “Glad I could send you home a hero.”

“Did you trip?” We slap hands, and he shakes his head.

“Stepped on one of my guys.”

Navy and red confetti falls thick onto the field, and I’m surrounded by sports reporters. It’s a full-on celebration, and while that was a historic play, it’s seriously fucking with my plan.

A mic is in my face, and they want to know if Charlie and I planned it. No. When did I know I was going to score the winning goal? When it landed in my hands.

I’m taller than everyone, and I’m straining, looking for Fred, trying to see if Liv is down here, searching for Charlie. He steps up beside me, slapping me on the back right when I spot her on the sidelines smiling big.

Fred stands behind her, and I push through the throng to where she’s standing, one hand on her stomach. When I get to her, I bend down so she can hug me. Our teeth bump as we smile through the kiss, and I take a step back.

“You are amazing!” she yells.

Fred holds out his hand, and I take the blue box from him. Going down on one knee, I’m still at Liv’s waist. When I look up at her, her eyes are wide.

“That day in the henhouse, you asked me when…” I have to shout over the noise, and it’s making me second-guess my plan.

Too late to change it now.

“What are you doing?” She steps forward, putting her hand on my shoulder.

At this point, the players around us notice what’s happening. I don’t have much time before all eyes and cameras will be on us, and I need to say this.

“I know you can’t marry me because we’re pregnant.” She’s close enough, bending down so I don’t have to yell as loud. “Marry me because I love you, Liv. Because you love me, and these past months have been the best months of our lives. We got it back, Liv…”

Her eyes shine, and a tear falls onto her cheek. Still, she’s not giving me a yes or a no.

My throat is tight, and I open the box. “What do you say?”

She swallows hard, holding my gaze. “I’m afraid.” My brow furrows, and she continues. “I already lost you once. I can’t do it again.”

Moving closer, I drop my chin to catch a breath. “We were kids, Liv. Kids make mistakes. I was too insecure. I’d lost so much myself, and I was afraid to trust.” She’s nodding, and I keep going. “I’m a man now, and I know who I am. I know who you are, and I know what I want. You won’t lose me, and I won’t let you down.”

The field has fallen quiet. Only some people at the other end of the stadium are still going, and I know the cameras are on us.

“I was married before, and it didn’t work.”

My eyes hold hers. “You were married to the wrong guy. You were never his to kiss. Never his to have a family with. You’re mine, and nothing is going to change that.” It’s my turn to swallow the ache in my throat. “If you need a little more time to see who I am, I can wait. But you’re it for me, Liv. You’re the mother of my children. You’re my wife. All you have to do is say yes.”

A trembling hand lifts to her mouth, and her eyes flood with tears as a smile splits her cheeks. Nodding, she leans down to wrap her arms around my neck.

Her soft voice is in my ear, and it’s a rush of joy in my chest as she says the only thing I want to hear. “Yes.”

“I’m so glad I was able to come with you.” Liv sits beside me in the SUV holding my hand. “I loved watching you play, wearing your jersey, and it’s been great having Maddy to talk to about baby stuff.”

It’s our last night in the city, and we’re headed to Charlie and Maddy’s for an intimate farewell dinner—finally, Maddy said.

“I had a feeling you’d be friends.” I lift Liv’s hand to my lips, kissing right under the engagement ring. “I really loved having you in the box, watching me. It was kind of a dream I’d always had.”

“Like catching the winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of the game?”

Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. “I never even imagined something like that could happen.”

“It was the greatest moment.” She exhales a giggle. “I was screaming so hard I’m surprised I didn’t go into labor.”

“All I could think about was finding you.” I look down at our entwined fingers. “I had that whole proposal planned out to the minute.”

“Garrett.” Her eyes shine as they hold mine, and I’m the luckiest man alive.

Charlie’s place is on the Upper West Side, which isn’t too far from my apartment. Fred stops at the entrance, and I step out, reaching for Liv’s hand to help her out of the car.

Riding in the elevator to the penthouse, she threads our fingers, pulling me down for a kiss. “It was the cherry on top of your football career, and I’m so grateful I was there to see it.”

The doors open, and I’m about to say she’s the cherry on top, when Liv drags me out of the elevator and skips across the small foyer to do a little rhythmic tap-tap-tap-tap on the door.

“What’s that?” I chuckle as it opens.

Liv cups both hands over her mouth when I see twinkle-lights shining inside the dim apartment. My brow lowers, and I move closer, stepping just inside as all the lights blaze on, and loud voices yell Surprise! all at once.

My heart nearly jumps out of my mouth as my teammates gather around to slap my back, shake my arms, and pull me in for bro-hugs. Music cranks louder, and I see a banner hanging over the fireplace that reads Congratulations, Grizz!

Looking around, I see Charlie standing beside Maddy, who is openly crying. I let out a yell when Logan steps forward with Dylan.

“You didn’t think we’d let you retire without a party, did you?” He’s dressed in a suit, and my little sister is wearing a pretty, short cocktail dress.

“I’m so proud of you.” Dylan wraps her arms around my waist. “I’ve never seen anything like it—you scored the winning touchdown!”

“Then 59 cleaned my clock.”

“We’re not talking about that part.”

I laugh, hugging my little sister. Looking around the room, I spy Liv in the corner with her hands clasped in front of her nose. Her eyes shine, and I mouth I love you. She mouths it back, and I can’t believe they got me. I had no idea this was coming.

“That’s my big brother!” Hendrix steps out of the crowd, and my eyebrows shoot up.

“What?” I yell, pulling him in for a hug. “Are you kidding me?”

He laughs, slapping my back in a tight hug. “And I was over here worried about your legacy. Fuck me.”

“Not this guy.” Ricky walks up, gripping my shoulder. “Garrett Bradford is a legend.”

Hendrix and I exchange a glance, then we both laugh, shaking Ricky’s hand and letting it be water under the bridge.

“I can’t believe you’re here, and Logan and Dylan.” I thought I couldn’t get happier, but damn, this is just what I needed.

My teammates line up to shake my hand and swap old stories from all the years we’ve played together. There’s food and drinks, and the music plays. On the televisions, they’re running highlights of all the years I was a Pirate, most of which include killer plays Logan and I pulled off together.

The time passes so fast, but it’s a great night. It’s the best party.

At one point I end up on the sofa with my siblings, thinking how good this feels and how infrequently it happens.

“When are you coming home again?” Dylan presses Hendrix. “We miss you.”

“Looks like I have a few more weddings to attend,” he teases. “But I had fun last time. What’s up with your friend Raven?”

“I’m not sure.” Dylan’s brow furrows. “I need to check on her. We kind of lost touch.”

“She was fun.” Hendrix looks around the room, his voice taking a tone I’ve never heard before. “She’s the kind of girl…”

Logan leans down, slapping my palm with his. “Get up here for the toast, big guy.”

I stand, going to where Charlie and Logan are waiting for me beside the cake table. I’m not one to get all sentimental, but these two guys have been a big part of my life for a long time.

“To the best of O-line, the best of friends, and soon to be the best dad.” Charlie holds up a glass. “Garret Bradford, the man, the bear, the legend.”

Shaking my head, I laugh as the room bursts into yells and applause.

It quiets down, and Logan adds, “To a guy I’ve always called my best friend, and now I call my brother.”

Another big cheer, and fuck, I’d better not cry.

It’s my turn, and I look around the room at the group of athletes and friends I’ve spent almost a decade of my life encouraging, working, and winning games with.

“You guys are like my family, and you know for me, that’s everything.” Tight smiles, a few nods. “I’ll always be a Pirate at heart. I’ll always be with you in spirit, and I can’t wait to see where you go from here.”

“To Garrett.” Charlie holds up his glass, and as we all toast, I see this chapter close.

I’m leaving on a high I never imagined, but it’s been a great part of my life. If I were going to leave the game for my wife and daughter, I’m really thankful I had the gift of leaving them with a smile.