Page 63 of Savage for You

Rocky’s standing by the door, and I can’t bear to look at him. I don't want to see him angry with me.

“Was this what you wanted to talk to me about? Who you really are…?”

I nod my head. “Yeah.”

“Why, Montana? Why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I would use you?”

When he finishes speaking, I look up into his eyes and see that he’s hurt. Not angry. I think that’s what makes me break down and cry again. I shake my head, because no, I don't think that at all. My heart drops.

Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I need to be open and honest with him. “No, Rocky, I don't think that at all, I promise you that.” I sniff and continue. “Growing up with my dad and uncle being in the spotlight, I hated it. When I was younger, people only wanted to be my friend because of who they are. I'm sure you can understand that with who your dad is. What Autumn went through? I did too. I had one friend who I thought was the best. I thought she didn’t care about fame and shit. I was wrong, oh, was I so wrong. She wasn’t my friend at all. I didn’t know that she felt like she needed to one up me at every turn. Atlas, being a wiz kid, well, he’s a fucking computer genius. He made this software to delete images of me that would out who I am. We’re still close, but even he didn’t know about you and me until that video came out.”

“Are you ashamed of me? Do you even want to be with me?”

I close the distance between us, and look into his eyes when I say, “Baby, yes, I want to be with you. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I’m absolutely not ashamed of you. The reason I didn’t want it to come out is because I was trying to protect you.”

“What do you mean? It’s not making any sense to me.” He shakes his head.

“If it came out that you are dating Romeo Taylor’s daughter, what would that mean for you? I never want to get in the way of your dream. Other teams wouldn’t even look twice if they knew that you and I were dating, because they would assume that you would play for this team. What if you don’t want to stay in Minnesota? I didn’t want you to resent me. I want you to play anywhere you want. I wouldn’t want to be the one to hold you back.”

He’s standing there silently, just looking at me.

I hate his silence. It is literally killing me right now.

“If you’re going to break up with me, can you just do it already? It’s going to hurt, but I won't blame you for not wanting to be with me anymore. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was planning on it. I swear it. Can you please say something?” I look back down and pick at my finger cuticles. It happens a lot when my anxiety kicks in.

“Montana, look at me.” I look up at him and he grabs my hands and continues on. “I’m so fucking hurt that you didn’t tell me, but I understand why. I knew you had a secret, but I was waiting for you to come to me and tell me. I understand your thoughts of not wanting to hurt my career. If a team wants me, they’ll fight for me. I know your uncle Atlas has been sending the scouts to the games. But let me ask you this, if I didn’t want to stay in Minnesota, would you come where I’m drafted?”

I look at Rocky, and into his beautiful gray eyes. It’s the easiest answer. “Of course I would.”

“That’s all I ever need to know. Knowing that you would come with me means more to me than anything. You know when you meet someone who is selfless, down to earth, feisty and beautiful inside and out, it’s rare. You and I are meant to be. We’re endgame, baby.”

He walks to the bed and pulls me onto his lap and holds me.

I know we’ll be okay.

twenty-seven

Rocky

I’m in love with Montana Karissa Taylor. It’s the muscle in her chest that has me possessed. I haven't told her yet, and I will wait for the perfect moment.

This girl was nervous to tell me who she really is because she didn’t want to mess up my chances in the draft. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who was this beautiful and selfless. Holding my girl in my arms and just having her with me is everything I never knew I needed.

There is still one tiny matter I haven't addressed yet. Her middle name. I think her seeing my mom again after all this time will be so great for her and for my mom. They both miss Talia.

“Hey, Killer, there is something else I want to talk to you about.”

“What’s that?” Looking into her gorgeous hazel eyes never gets old.

“Your mom? Her name is Tatiana, right?”

She gasps. “H-how do you know her name?”

“My mom is Karissa, baby. We can check off finding your mom's best friend,” I say, and she sucks in a breath and starts crying again.

“I can’t believe this. I can’t believe it. How did we not know?” She’s chewing her bottom lip trying to work this out in her head.

“I can't either, baby.”

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