Page 53 of The Sky Between Us

I opened my mouth to say something, but he placed a finger on my lips and shook his head.

“I don’t need you to say anything… I just wanted you to know. This… us… means everything to me.”

Tears pooled in the corner of my eye, blurring my vision. I couldn’t believe I was going to be some stupid girl crying after sex. Burying my face in his neck, I only nodded, unable to form words as my emotions ran sky high. From my confession to our sex and now his declaration of love. My heart was full and all I wanted to do was stay wrapped around him, with him still inside me and engrave every single touch and feeling into my heart to remember it for the rest of my life, because I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in the past four years.

Chapter 12

“Get your head in the game!” Coach shouted at me as the game passed me and I blankly watched the other team’s attacker pass me and score a goal. Blinking, I glanced at Elliot who only shrugged as we caught up to get the ball back.

Waking up with Hazel wrapped around me was quickly becoming one of my favorite things and after everything that happened between us, I was excited to take her home tonight. Scared as hell, but excited. Hence why I had other things on my mind, than the last ten minutes of practice when we were playing against each other. We were supposed to practice the strategy that we were working on against Harvard to see which parts worked and what needed fine tuning. Plus, Harvard was playing tomorrow night, and I still needed a way to convince Hazel to watch it with me as we were going to be with my parents and sister over the weekend. And on top of all of that, I was a bit hungover from last night. I’m sure Hazel was too and still mad at me that I didn’t let her go down on me while tipsy, but I promised myself I’ll never allow her to do anything to me with alcohol in her system. Not even when she pouted like her upset little brother… son.Sky.

Thinking it was true was a completely different feeling than knowing it. Not because it bothered me, but because there were days, I imagined my life five-ten years from now and I knew if I wanted her, he was going to be a part of it too. And it didn’t scare me. It actually excited me, I was looking forward to teaching him all the tricks on and off the field.

The identity of his father did bother me, especially knowing he was a soccer player and in college. My mind raced, trying to recall every face I played against and comparing it with Sky. But it got me nowhere. And since I couldn’t and didn’t want to betray her trust and share this with Elliot, I had to rely on my rusty memory. Somehow, I was more focused on the ball than on their face, which was clearly a big mistake from my side.

The painful sound of the whistle woke me up from my daydreaming. “Practice is over. This was worse than horrible! Get your act together by Monday morning and use the weekend to rest and not to party!” Coach shouted, his face red from anger.

“So moody, this guy,” Benin muttered as he took off his shirt to wipe off the sweat. “He needs to let loose and party.”

“He’s too old for that,” Howard laughed. “He is lucky if he is getting off, but based on his mood, he isn’t.”

Elliot barked out a laugh, but his eyes remained fixated on me, looking for my reaction. With a simple shrug, I patted his back.

“You seemed lost,” he told me quietly as we put some distance between us and the team. “You good?”

“Yes, just family issues and taking Hazel there this weekend. I’m nervous.”

He laughed. “I can imagine. This thing between you guys is looking more and more serious.”

“It is,” I nodded, as it was. Hazel wasn’t like any other girl, she made you work hard for it, but now I knew why. I’m kind of surprised she didn’t make me work even harder. But now that she’s let me in, she was a completely different person. Someone who made me laugh, who listened to me and encouraged me to be my best self. Someone I could see a future with. And sometimes, it scared the shit out of me. Three months ago, I didn’t even know who this girl was and I had my sights set firmly on my future. Now, I may have had to reconsider a few things.

“Good for you man, I’m happy as long as you’re happy. She does seem like she cares for you,” he said with a genuine smile on his lips.

Disappearing in the locker room, I took a quick shower, while I listened to the usual locker room talk about last night and weekend plans. I never usually showered here, but as we were hitting the road right away, I had no choice. Hazel must have been already waiting, I concluded when my gaze fell on my Apple Watch, before quickly dressing in a pair of blue jeans and hoodie.

Elliot, still unchanged and quiet, sat on the bench, waiting for me as he scrolled through his phone.

“Any plans for the weekend?” I asked him curiously, as he didn’t mention anything.

“Just with Sarah,” he shrugged, uninterested. Arching a questioning brow, he shook his head. “It’s nothing, I just don’t like relationships and she makes it seem like we are in one. She is a bit too possessive.”

“Have you tried talking to her?” I asked, swallowing my laughter.

“I don’t like serious talks,” he mocked me. “I tried stuffing her mouth with my cock, but it didn’t work out.”

Laughing, I shook my head. He was incorrigible, but I was glad Sarah was pushing him. He needed someone like that.

“Let’s go, your girl must be waiting,” he winked as I grabbed my duffle bag, and quickly shook the water out of my hair. “You look perfect, come on.”

With an eye roll, I exited the locker room and I almost bumped into him when he stopped right in front of the door.

Following his gaze, my eyes landed on the most beautiful girl standing close to the parking lot chatting with Claire. I watched the easy smile stretch across her face, her loose hair framing it like a picture. But my eyes were drawn to the endless skin. Her long, bare legs were casually crossed and my gaze roamed their length up until the hem of the hoodie. My hoodie.

A groan formed in the back of my throat and stepping around my friend, I captured my girl. Hugging her waist with one hand, I let the other one fall to her knee before my fingers traced her smooth skin up all the way until I reached her booty shorts way under my hoodie.

“Hi baby,” I muttered into her ear, before I nibbled at her earlobe.

Hazel squealed and sank back into my embrace. “You are late.”

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