Chasing That Desire | Danny Amendola

Chapter 28

** Danny's POV **

"Danny, are you sure," she asked through tears as Nelson pounced on me, pulling some of my attention from her.

Before I could respond, Nelson pushed me back, causing me to fall to my ass on the snowy, slushy sidewalk. I flicked the box shut as I grabbed the leash, and stood up. I shoved the box in my pocket, forgetting what was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of my life. "What do you mean am I sure? Of course I am, Juliet! Why wouldn't I be sure? I love you!" Tears pulled from my eyes as I looked at her with a confused look. It felt like my blood ran cold.

Nelson's leash was around my wrist as I moved up to her. I brought a shaky hand up and cupped her cheek. My eyes met her watery, honey, colored, ones. "Juliet..."

"I-I... Danny," she sobbed as she shook her head and sucked in an uneven breath.

I pulled her into my arms, took in her scent, and held her close. She sobbed into my shoulder as she wrapped her arms around me and held onto me for dear life. Nelson began barking at us.

"Hey, Hey... Lets get inside before it gets too windy," I whispered in her ear, after the snow and cold wind whipped into my face.

When I pulled away, I draped my arm over her shoulder and let Nelson direct us to the house. I opened the gate and then the door. I dropped Nelson's leash and walked Juliet over to the couch as we kicked off our slushed up shoes.

My ass was extremely wet, but I didn't care. All I cared about at the moment was her. I didn't know if I hurt her, or if I took her by surprise, or if even worse... She didn't feel the same way.

Once we sat down, I turned so I was looking at her. Her face was in her hands as she began to calm down. Tears were still running down my face as well, worry shooting throughout my body while my heart raced. I hadn't gotten an answer, and sure... It hurt... But I was too concerned with her reaction. Too concerned if she was okay, or if I hurt her.

Once she calmed herself down, I placed a hand on her thigh, and her red puffy eyes looked up at me. "I-I... Just... Why Danny?"

I swallowed and squinted at her. "What do you mean why, Juliet? Because I love you. Because you're perfect," I mumbled as I cupped her face in my hand. "Because you're you!"

"Exactly," she mumbled and shook her head as she sobbed. "I'm me! I'm some girl you met on the street! One who works as a sports reporter! One who isn't cut out to be an NFL girlfriend or wife! I'm not beautiful like Gisele... I'm not like Olivia Munn... I'm not like Kristin Cavallari... I'm not like Jessie James Decker! I'm me, Danny! I'm not famous, I'm just a girl who goes home every night and sits around in oversized clothes. One who doesn't dress up to just go out to the bar... To walk the dog! I've not been to the gym a day in my damn life! I'm not perfect. I'm nowhere near perfect!

"Danny... I-I... I'd be the fucking laughing stock of any event you ask me to! Dresses don't fit me right... I'm not famous like everyone else... I-I... Danny... Are you sure you want to deal with that?" She sobbed and shook her head. "Deal with me not comparing to everyone else? The media will hate me!"

I sucked in a shaky breath. I had no clue she felt this way, and it broke my heart. How could she feel that way? She's my entire world. It never occured to me that she may not have seen herself the way I see her.

It was really beginning to make sense why she never went to team dinners with me. Why it took her forever to just want to make an appearance at a game... Why she decided to sit alone at her first game.

"Juliet," I mumbled, my voice cracked. "I-I... Juliet, I don't see you that way. I never have and I never will. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on... And I don't think anyone could top you— no, I know no one could top you. You could wear a garbage bag to a team outing and I wouldn't give a damn, because you would be with me. I'd still be able to go to sleep next to you, and wake up next to you... And kiss you and love you whenever I wanted! And seriously, who gives a crap that they're all married to or dating famous people? What about Slater? His wife is a doctor.... Or hell... What about your favorite? Jordy Nelson! He's married to his high school sweetheart who is nowhere near famous! So really, who gives a damn that you're not some famous model?

"I sure don't, Juliet! I love you with my everything! One day, I pray that you won't see yourself that way. I wish you'd look at yourself in the mirror and see yourself the way I see you. I love you... I-I... Juliet, Marry me... We can brave the world together. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. Make me the happiest man to ever exist," I said as I brought a hand up and cupped her face.

Her honey eyes looked into mine, fright was swimming in them. "I-I... Danny, I love you," she whispered as she brought one of her hands up to my face. "I love you so much..." A sob was shaken out of her chest, and she sniffled.

My heart began to crack. Was she saying no? I nearly stopped breathing waiting for the 'but' to come out of her mouth.

I sucked in a shaky breath, closed my eyes, and pulled away as I shook my head-- I couldn't hear it. I'd be wrecked. "It's okay," I whispered. "I'm just gonna go to bed and take a nap." I slowly stood up and began shuffling to our bedroom.

"Danny," she called after me.

I just shook my head as I slowly closed the bedroom door behind me. I pulled the shades shut, tore off my coat, and crawled up on the bed, turning my back toward the door.

Tears began to pull from my eyes again and I brought my hands up to cover my eyes... I'd never expected any of this to happen.

I thought it'd all turn out, that she'd say yes and that we'd live happily ever after.

Now all Julian would be able to say is "I told you so". And it kept being repeated in my head as the sound of Nelson barking took over the entire house.