Page 189 of Cruel Steps

“Mer, we haven’t checked the mail in a few days. Do you mind walking down to the box with me?”

“Oh, do you think your admission letter might be there?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. I’d actually gotten two already. One had a partial scholarship, and the other had a full. It was further away from Hayward, though, so I didn’t know if I wanted to take it. I still had two more schools to hear from. In a best-case scenario, I got into a school close to Mer, and Holden got drafted to a team close as well. Somehow, I didn’t think we were that lucky.

Mer walked with me to the next building, where the postbox for our two buildings was located. I pulled out my key and unlocked our box, tugging out the envelopes. Mer took them out of my hands before I could see, her face lighting up when she spotted them.

“It’s a big envelope. That’s a good sign.”

I glanced at the label. “And it’s only two hours from here.” I tore into it as we walked, my eyes eagerly scanning the pages. I’d been offered a decent scholarship and fellowship opportunity. I’d still have to pay some out of pocket, but it might be worth it to not be so far away from the love of my life.

“Is it good?”

“Yeah. It’s good.” I smiled, and she clapped in excitement. We hurried up the steps, and I paused at the door, knocking so Holden knew we were entering. Mer gave me an odd look, but didn’t comment.

The apartment was dark when we entered, only the glow of the LED candles we’d set up earlier. They had a remote control, making it easier for Holden to light them all simultaneously.

“What?” Mer gasped as she took in the scene.

I placed the mail on the table and dropped to one knee next to Holden.

“Will you marry me, Wildcat?”

“Will you marry me, Merbear?”

Mer dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around us and pulling us into a hug. Tears fell down her face, and she clutched us both tight. I’d never felt so happy, but then I realized she hadn’t answered.

“Is that a yes?” I asked nervously.

“A hundred yeses.”

“Fucking right,” Holden said, his shoulders relaxing. “I’d planned to do it after Homecoming, but fuckface had to mess that up. So Colter and I decided to wait until it was right. Tonight felt like that night.”

“Our lives are moving, some in different directions, but it’s not going to change how we feel about you. Whether it takes four years before we all walk down the aisle or we do it next week, we don’t care. We want you to know that you’re ours, and we’re yours. Always.”

“I love you, Wildcat.”

“I love you, Mer.”

“I love you both. I didn’t think this day could get better, but you do this.” She sucked in a breath. “You really mean it? Us together, forever?”

“Forever, Wildcat.”

“What he said.”

Mer laughed, and Holden slipped the ring on her finger. Then, we reminded Mer why having two men love you was the way to go.

We didn’t know what the future held for us as I headed to veterinary school, Holden the NFL, and Mer with her choreography, but it didn’t matter. Because we would be together.

Forever.

EPILOGUE

EMERSON

Over the past four years, there had been several moments I would never forget. Of course, there were the big ones. Those were easy and replayed in a constant loop.

The night Holden and Colter proposed.

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