Page 79 of Offsides

A nervous-looking, wide-eyed intern greeted her in the dark studio, handing her a piece of paper before scurrying away. Muffled voices whispered over on the set, but all three of the large broadcast cameras blocked Theo’s view to see who was sitting in the chairs up on stage. A moment later, Dana’s voice rang out, her on-air tone clear as day.

“Thank you so much for being here with me today. It really is an honor to have this kind of sit-down with you. Especially after a press release like that.”

Press release? What press release?

Glancing down at the piece of paper she was holding, Theo saw it. The Atlanta Rising logo dead center on the letterhead, the words “press release” in bold just underneath. Her heart stopped, mind racing. The team had issued a press release? Why hadn’t she gotten a copy? They couldn’t have deleted her from the distribution list already. Besides, she was on both the one for the team and the one for Southland Holdings, which always reissued the one from the team. There was no way she was taken off both lists this quickly. More concerning though was the idea that there was something big enough for them to even issue a press release. Then her eyes landed on it. Just past the header and the formal part of whom to contact with inquiries was a simple, one-line statement.

Your boyfriend is an idiot.

Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes, Theo’s hand flying to cover her mouth as she gasped. There was that word again—boyfriend. Just as before it sent a warmth through her, like sitting in front of a campfire, making her feel cozy. But this time, there was more. It might have been one of five simple words on a page, but it was a really, really important one. One that told her so much.

“Thank you for having me.” Cowboy’s voice cut through her thoughts, more tears threatening to spill. “I wasn’t quite sure I would be welcome, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to clarify our official statement on the matter.”

Stepping in between two of the cameras, Theo took in the scene before her. Cowboy on her left, Dana to her right, both sitting in the studio chairs, the long Lucite table separating them. He looked too good to be true, in his perfectly worn jeans and a silver dress shirt, left untucked, with the top button open just enough to show off the top of the ‘wrapped up in you’ tat. Seeing him sitting here made her want to run to him, throw herself into his arms, and stay there forever. But her feet wouldn’t move. They were stuck to the ground, feeling like they were encased in cement, holding her in place.

“And what is your official statement?”

“There are two, actually. I fucked up, and I love Theodosia,” he said, his voice smooth and confident.

Theo’s stomach somersaulted, her knees feeling like they could give way any moment. Did he just say that he loved her?

“Those two things are independent of each other,” he continued, holding out his hands and waving them, like he was trying to erase what he just said. “Loving Theo is not how I fucked up. Not even close. Falling in love with her has been the greatest adventure of my life. I fucked up by letting her think otherwise.”

The tears that had been threatening to spill made good on their promise, overflowing from Theo’s eyes, rolling down her cheeks. She’d never been much of a crier, but in this moment, she couldn’t help it. Cowboy loved her.

“Because…?”

“Because I’m an ass? Is that an acceptable answer?” He laughed, the deep rumble of it lighting Theo up inside. Damn, did she love that sound.

“I’m willing to accept it, but I’m not the one who gets final say,” Dana replied, turning in her seat to face Theo. Her smile brightened, giving Theo a wink. “What do you say, Theo? Willing to hear him out?”

Theo nodded frantically, her heart soaring. Of course she was willing to hear him out. He loved her. Just like she loved him.

“Then I’ll see myself out,” Dana said, standing and walking to Theo.

Sniffing and swiping at the tears that were still flowing, Theo mouthed a thank you to her mentor. Dana took her hand, squeezing it gently and winking. “I’ll lock the door on my way out.”

Theo laughed. Only Dana. But it meant the world to her that she would give them their privacy, even just to talk. Her feet still feeling heavy, Theo nervously approached the stage, her eyes locked on Cowboy. She still wanted to fling herself at him, but she needed to hear what he had to say. Cowboy stood, rounding the table, meeting her dead center. His bald head glistened slightly under the hot studio lights, making Theo want to run her hand over it.

“Theodosia,” he whispered, closing the gap between them.

“Britt.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

“You seemed like you were off to a pretty good one a moment ago.”

“That part was easy.”

“Then say it again.”

“I love you, Theodosia.”

* * *

Theo’s breath hitched, her perfectly pink lips separating slightly. It was taking all the restraint Cowboy had not to steal a kiss in the moment. Everything about her was so fucking adorable, right down to those damn tears. The tears though, they could go. Even if they were happy ones in this moment, they weren’t something he needed to see on her beautiful face ever again.

Grabbing ahold of her waist, he lifted her up, placing her on the clear desk. She was wearing heels today, which meant she was taller than he was at the moment. He wouldn’t care, except for with what he was about to say, he wanted to be looking her dead in the eye, leaving no room for any kind of misinterpretation.