Page 103 of The Trouble with Players

He nodded, as if what I’d said made sense to him. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

“It was never about me.” I turned away from him, knowing I’d been as honest as I could, and my snarky-ness was bound to rear its ugly head if I didn’t walk away.

I hurried upstairs and entered my empty room. I sat on my bed with my phone in my hand and my heartbeat racing.

“Did you read it yet?” Crew asked as he entered my room.

I kept a straight face and nodded.

“What’d it say?”

I called up the pdf and tossed him my phone.

He caught it and stared down at the screen. I fought to conceal my smile as he read the news I already knew. When his eyes lifted to mine, a huge smile spread across his face. I stood up, and he wrapped me in his arms, squeezing me like I’d disappear if he didn’t. “Thank God,” he said, pressing kisses all over my head. “Thank God,” he kept repeating.

“It’s real,” I said.

He pulled back so he could see my face. “It’s always been real.”

Stupid tears pricked my eyes again.

“I love you so damn much,” he said before his lips crashed to mine, kissing me the way I needed to be kissed—with so much love and relief. We had a future. Crew picked me up and carried me to my bed, lowering me to it without stopping kissing me.

I eventually needed to catch my breath, so I pulled back leaving us both gasping for air. “I never thought we’d get to do that again,” I said.

“Careful. I might start thinking you only want me for one thing,” he said.

“Oh, that’s one of the things I want you for,” I said.

He pressed a trail of kisses down my neck.

“What do you want me for?” I asked.

“Well, more poetry for starters.”

I arched my neck, giving him better access.

“And, I want you at my games in a pink wig so I can see you at all times.”

I laughed.

“And, I want you beside me when I find out if I make it to the big leagues next summer,” he said, nibbling my ear.

“When you make it,” I said. “Not if.”

“You’re my lucky charm,” he said. “And I don’t think I can be without you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a liar.”

He pulled back and met my eyes. “I won’t lie to you, Peyton. Not ever. You never have to worry about that.”

A tear slipped down my cheek, the emotional day definitely catching up with me.

“And, I’ll never hurt you.” He patted his hand to his heart. “You worked your way in here the second you threw that chair off the balcony, and there’s no going back from that.”

My heart was a jackhammer in my chest.

“I’ve been on the receiving end of your hate, indifference, and love,” he continued. “I’ll take love any day of the week.”

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