Kayden
Two weeks later
"For the last time, Rhys, you don’t need to come with me. It’s just a friendship date," I said, repeating myself for what felt like the hundredth time as I stood near the entrance of our living room.
I smoothed down the oversized black hoodie I was wearing, pulling a dark face mask over my chin. "I haven’t seen Soren since he and Rio won their Olympic medal, and you weren’t invited to this one. Besides, I’m wearing a disguise. With this hoodie and mask, no one is even going to recognize me."
Rhys gave me a doubtful look, tilting his head as his blue eyes scanned my face mask before he slowly pulled me into his arms. "I’m just worried, baby," he murmured, his arms wrapping around my waist with careful tenderness. "Our wedding is in two days, and I don’t want anything happening to you." He pulled back just enough to gently pinch my cheek. "I promise I won’t bother you guys. I’ll just sit at a separate table and mind my own business. What do you say?"
Before I could answer, he dropped down onto one knee in front of me, leaning his forehead against my rounded bump. "See? Even the baby wants me to come with you."
I groaned, clenching my jaw so hard my teeth hurt. "No, the baby does not want that," I said, rolling my eyes. "Rhys Calder, I am pregnant, not an invalid. One of our best bodyguards is literally driving me and standing watch, so why on earth are you still stressing out? I am going to be fine, so please stop overthinking."
Rhys looked up at me from his knee, blinking his eyes slowly like a lost puppy. "Yes, sir," he said, trying to sound completely serious despite the playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "I just want to be with you, baby. I want to hold your hand and make sure you’re comfortable. What if you need to pee every ten minutes? What if your feet get tired? What if the restaurant chair is too hard and you need an extra cushion? What if you crave pickles dipped in hot chocolate and the waiter looks at you weird?"
I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me.
I reached down, cupping his jaw with both hands. "You are absurdly cute right now, but this outing is just for me and my friend. You’re not stopping me, and I’m going alone. I already promised you I’ll stay safe, so you need to trust me. In forty-eight hours, you’re going to be my husband, and then you can tag along wherever you want." I gave him a stern look. "Besides, don’t you have team practices today? The playoffs start a week after our wedding—shouldn’t you be focusing on that?"
Rhys let out a long sigh, standing up and holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, fine. You win. I’ll stay back." He rubbed the back of his neck, grumbling softly. "Screw the leagues anyway. I honestly hoped they’d bench me for a month so I could just stay home, carry you around, and take care of you full-time."
"Oh, Rhys, stop dramaticizing everything," I chuckled, leaning up on my tiptoes to press a warm kiss to his cheek. "Everything will be fine. Baby steps, love. Let’s make it through our wedding first before you plan on quitting your career."
He finally let out a soft laugh, nodding in agreement. "Fair enough."
He gently took my hand, guiding me out of the penthouse and down to the private garage where a sleek, black armored SUV was idling. He opened the passenger door for me, assisting me as I settled onto the plush leather seat.
Once I was comfortable, he leaned in, pressing a lingering, tender kiss to my forehead.
"Stay safe, my love," he whispered softly.
"I will," I promised.
He closed the door, then stepped toward the front driver’s side to speak to the bodyguard through the lowered window. He gave low, rapid instructions in a quiet tone I couldn’t hear through the glass, his expression turning entirely sharp and protective.
When he finished, he tapped the roof of the SUV twice, stepping back and waving at me with a soft smile as the car pulled out of the garage.
As the driver navigated out of the residential complex and onto the main boulevard, I leaned my head back against the headrest, looking out the tinted window.
Right as we crossed the primary intersection, my eyes caught a massive, glowing digital billboard overlooking the highway.
A breathtaking promotional photo of Rhys and me in our formal athletic jerseys illuminated the afternoon sky. Bold, elegant typography stretched across the display:
FROM RIVALS TO FOREVER
The Sports Wedding of the Century
When Rivalry Turns to Undying Love
A warm, helpless smile spread across my face behind my black mask.
Originally, Rhys and I had planned a small, quiet ceremony with only our closest family and friends. But somehow, two weeks ago, a leak sprung from the venue booking, and the news exploded across every major media outlet. For fourteen straight days, the sports community and public entertainment channels talked about nothing else.
We had waited a week for Leo and Miller to return from their brief post-wedding getaway on Gerald’s island before kicking our own preparations into high gear
Now, most of our friends were already arriving in Oak City for the big day. Soren had flown in early, and I was genuinely thrilled to catch up with him after months of aligned schedules keeping us apart.
After a smooth twenty-minute drive, the SUV pulled up to a quiet, high-end establishment tucked away in a private dining district.
My bodyguard stepped out first, opening my door and scanning the immediate surroundings before gesturing for me to proceed inside.
I pulled out my phone to text Soren that I had arrived, but as soon as I stepped through the double doors, I spotted him sitting near a secluded table by the window. The second his eyes landed on me, he scrambled to his feet with a massive grin and sprinted over.
"Kayden Vale!" he yelled excitedly, throwing his arms open and lunging forward into a tight hug.
In his sheer enthusiasm, his shoulder bumped directly into my rounded abdomen.
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