Page 54 of Savage for You

After we eat, we’re snuggled up on the couch. Her head is in my lap and Fast Five is playing on the TV. It's Monti’s favorite one out of all of the Furious series. I tried to convince her that the first one is the most superior, but she just rolled her eyes at me in true Montana fashion.

“Montana.”

She sits up and looks at me like I'm about to pull the rug from under her. Doesn’t she already know I’m not going anywhere? I know that she feels like the other shoe will drop eventually. I want her to be so secure in us that one simple “We need to talk” won’t have her stomach drop to her ass.

“No, baby, it's just I have something serious to talk to you about. I haven’t even told anyone this. I need to open up to you because everyone has something they haven't told other people, right? But I don’t want secrets between us. I'm not saying that to for you open up with your deepest darkest secrets right this second, but this is me opening up to you. So, when you are ready to share yours—if there is anything you need to share—I’m here. I need to tell you why I’m so upset.” I blow out a breath.

“Baby, I'm here for whatever you want to tell me.” She caresses my face and I lean into her hand.

“About two years ago, I found out that my dad, Chris, isn’t my biological father.” I look up to see her eyes wide with shock and her hands over her mouth as she gasps.

“I came home early from practice, and I guess my parents didn’t realize. My mom was crying, and my dad was hugging her. She was saying that ‘he has some fucking nerve, and my dad said to her ‘Rocky won't ever find out about Johnny and that he will always be my dad. He also said that he didn’t give a fuck about what Johnny wanted, when he didn’t give a fuck about the two of you. Meaning, my mom and me.”

I swipe at my face. I didn’t even realize I’m crying again. Monti climbs into my lap, and I hold onto her tight because she's, my lifeline.

I continue. “I understand that they never wanted me to find out, but it sucks realizing that I didn’t get football from just loving the game. I always felt bad that I never got the hang of hockey because I wanted to be just like my dad. I almost quit playing; I didn’t want anything to do with it anymore. I called my mom’s best friend because she would have known the situation, and she had promised to never lie to me. She’s the only one who knows that I knew about Johnny. She talked me out of quitting football. She told me ‘Don't you dare give up on something you love for someone who doesn’t matter.’ She also explained to me that when I was little and loved football, my mom called her freaking out. She explained to my mom that it's okay for me to love something, even if I got it from my sperm donor. She told me that Chris will always be my father, no matter what I found out. I begged her to tell me about the relationship between my parents and Johnny. She told me that my parents were best friends, but they were both too chicken shit to tell one another how they really felt. I asked her how my sperm donor took it, and she said that he left for the draft and never looked back. When my mom told my dad Chris that she was pregnant, he said that no matter what he’d be there for me and her. Now, Johnny shows up to my game unannounced and unwanted. Asshole.” I shake my head, and Monti hugs me. I nuzzle my head into her neck and smell her sweet cotton candy scent that I love so much.

“Rocky, you are the most amazing man I have ever met. You are more than who your sperm donor is. Fuck that guy. Christopher Savage is your dad. He raised you and he did a damn good job. I think you should talk to your parents when they get back from their trip,” she says thoughtfully.

“Yeah, maybe it's time I talk to them.”

I pull my phone out to text my parents that I love them and can’t wait to see them.

Between the game and this conversation, I’m emotionally and physically drained, so we end up going to bed.

My girl in my arms. Where she always will be.

twenty-two

Montana

The last couple weeks have been great. The football team has been on a winning streak. Rocky still hasn’t talked to his parents about what he overheard about Johnny…and Johnny has been around, but he has been keeping his distance. I don't know if it’s a good or bad thing.

Classes started a few weeks back and I’m loving them. Having Dallas from the hockey team in my graphic arts class isn’t so bad. He seems like a good guy from what I can tell. And when he talks to me, he asks about Autumn but doesn’t bother me. Thankfully, I don't have any of the bitch brigade in my classes either.

The weather is getting cooler, and I’m loving it because fall and winter are my favorite times of the year. Tights and flannels or sweatshirts are my favorite along with my black rose combat boots.

Autumn and I are meeting up for lunch today since the guys have weight training. We grab our food and find a table outside to sit at.

“How is your bucket list coming along?” she asks me.

“Great, I have a few more things to check off, but I’ve checked off three already. I don't think you want to know which ones though,” I say, wiggling my brows and she chokes a little on her drink.

“Warn a girl next time, won't you?” she says while laughing.

“Sorry,” I reply, choking out a laugh.

“I want to find my mom's best friend, but I don't even know where to start, if she is even in the state or not.” I sigh and continue, “I’d also like to do karaoke soon, we should go out this weekend and do it.”

“This weekend is the guys’ bye week, so it's the perfect time to go out and have some fun.”

“It will be! Let’s do it.”

“So, my birthday is coming up and I want us to do the candlelight trolley ghost tour. We can check it off your list. I’ve always wanted to do it, and now this gives me a reason to do it. I’ve never really done things on my birthday with friends, so if you don't want to, that’s okay,” Autumn says.

“Oh my god, no way! Of course, I want to spend your birthday with you. Okay, we will make it a whole to-do. I’ll plan it and it’ll be so much fun! Don't worry your pretty little head about a thing. I’ve got this,” I say and bop her nose with my index finger. We’re nearing the end of September so I have a few weeks to plan a birthday gathering for her and I couldn’t be more excited to do it.

“Do you still want to work out together later?”

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