The Way We Score

We promised our love was forever. A decade later, two little blue lines might settle the score.

You’ve heard of those kids who peak in high school?
Meet my love life.
Garrett Bradford was mine from the moment we saw each other in ninth grade.
Even then, he was a six-foot-four mountain of muscles with bright blue eyes, a wide grin, and a way with his hands.
He was the high school football star, and I was the dance team captain.
We were the storybook cliché… until we weren’t.

Now he’s the most famous offensive lineman in the league, and I’m a buttoned-up, ultra-professional lawyer.
My dancing days are over, and my carefully controlled life is a mess.
Infertility killed my marriage, or that’s what I told myself. Infertility and a cheating ex.
And my inability to get over Garrett Bradford.

One reckless night at his little sister’s wedding is only supposed to be a reunion, a trip down memory lane to a time when life was happier.
Six weeks later, I’m staring at a positive pregnancy test wondering, How did this happen?

I figure I’m on my own until Garrett overhauls his life, moves back to our small town, and shows up every day to massage my feet and hold my hair when I barf and go with me to all my doctor’s appointments.
Our situation has an end date, just like it did so many years ago.
Unless this little score changes the game and gives us the second chance I thought we’d lost.

(THE WAY WE SCORE is a small-town, second-chance sports romance with reunited high school sweethearts, close proximity, surprise pregnancy, a protective Daddy Bear, parents to lovers, it’s always been you, and found family vibes. No cheating. No cliffhanger. No third-act breakup.)

Excerpt

“I can’t do this alone, Garrett.” Her tone almost seems afraid. 

What the hell does she have to be afraid of?

“You won’t do it alone.” I’m pure confidence. “I’ll help you with everything.” 

“But how?” She takes a step back again, brow furrowed. “I can’t move here, and you can’t move back to Newhope.” 

We’re quiet again, and the sounds of the busy Manhattan streets echo soft in the air, audible even at this height. I think about what Jack and I’ve discussed, and how it looks like we’ll have to speed up the timeline. I can’t wait until next year to retire. Liv needs me now.

“Who says I can’t?” 

“What?” She blinks up at me, her pretty hazel eyes wide. “But your contract…”

“I’ll worry about my contract.” 

“I just… Mom needs me to be close, and I can’t imagine having a baby without her, so far away.” 

Looking down, I think about what she’s saying. I think about all those years ago, when we were faced with our first separation, when it was only college.

“The last time we had a hard decision to make, you asked me to come to you, and I said no.” My throat tightens, and I swallow that regret. “I’m not saying no to you again.” 

Our eyes meet, and another tear falls onto her cheek. She wipes it away fast.

“Okay.” Her voice cracks with a whisper, and it hits me right in the stomach.“No more tears.” My voice is gentle, and I pull her to me. “We got this, Cherry. It’s going to be good. I promise.”

Teasers