Page 77 of The Forever Game

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you sooner. I’m sorry I let that shitty job own me for way too long,” I whisper.

“Hey.” He nudges my chin up, so I perch my arms on his chest and start drawing patterns across his collarbone. “I should have been there for you. Been a better husband. And I’m sorry that I spent too long yelling at you and not enough time trying to support you.”

My expression crumples, and he swipes his thumb beneath my eyes, but there aren’t any tears to catch right now.

“It’s over, Mick. It’s done. We’re gonna move forward from here.”

“Yeah.” My voice shakes and I nod. I’ve obviously still got more processing to do. I’m still feeling so weak and vulnerable. I really hate it.

“I feel like I’ve lost myself somehow.” I frown. “Do you think I’ll ever get me back?”

“You’re still in there.” Ethan cups my cheek, resting his thumb on the end of my chin. “And whether you believe it or not, right this second, you’re a stronger version than you were before.”

My laughter is a soft scoff. “I so don’t feel like that right now.”

“Yeah, I know. But you will.” His eyes are so beautiful, and I drink in his gaze when he smiles. “We’re gonna be stronger too.”

“Yeah.” I nod, my smile growing to match his.

“I’m with you every step of the way. Whatever you decide to do.”

“Ditto.” I sniff. “I know I’m not quite ready to start up my own agency yet, but that’s the long-term goal, you know? I just need to find a different way of getting there.”

“You could always contact some of your favorite agents and ask their advice. And if you need to move to have one of them as your mentor, I’ll move with you, baby. It can’t just be about my career.”

I perch my chin on my hands and grin at him. “Wow. You really do love me.”

“I adore you. And I know I don’t always have a say on who I’ll play for, and I have binding contracts I have to stick to, but never forget that you’re more important to me than anything. If I have to move for you, I will. I’d find a way so that we can always be together.”

I swallow, the sweet sentiment making me smile. “Ditto.”

He kisses me again, then rolls me over when I start to shiver. Wrapping his arms around me, he tucks me against his side, then grabs the throw blanket off the bottom of the bed. We snuggle beneath it, and I finally drift off to sleep, wrapped in Ethan’s arms and feeling at peace for the first time in months.

CHAPTER29

CAROLINE

I have no idea what wakes me, but my eyes pop open and I gaze into the dimly lit room, immediately wondering where Casey is. Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I check my texts and smile at the sweet message from my mom. It’s a picture of Billy and Troy, blissfully snuggled up in the same bed together. They’re sound asleep, their little mouths hanging open, Billy’s reckless curls and Troy’s sweet cherub face making my heart squeeze with affection.

I send a quick text back, filled with love-heart emojis, and Mom replies with the same. I smile at the screen, so incredibly grateful to have such wonderful parents. They have been serious lifesavers over the past few years, and I love how much they adore my children.

My mind instantly goes to my sweet girl, so tiny and vulnerable. I cried when Casey led me away from the NICU and made me get back into bed. I wanted to stay with her. It didn’t matter that I could barely keep my eyes open. It didn’t matter that my body was still aching and tender from pushing her out of me. I’m her mother, and she needed me.

Casey’s soft coo and sweet words calmed me down, and he tucked me into bed, kissing my lips and promising me that our Lyla was in safe hands. I’d get to hold her again after another session in the incubator. At least she was strong enough that I was allowed to breastfeed her. My swollen, aching boobs are warning me that the time is coming up again soon. The nurse promised to come get me when little Lyla was ready for a feed.

I wonder where Casey is.

Slipping out of the hospital bed, I pad across the floor and grab his big hoodie, which he left over the back of the chair. It engulfs me, and I wrap the soft fabric around myself. I love the way it smells of his cologne and musky scent. He still turns me on with only a whiff, still makes me smile with just one look, and can still make my heart melt at the drop of a hat.

I never thought it was possible to score a guy like Casey Pierce. I never thought I would be with someone who gets me so hot and drives me so crazy. Someone who can infuriate me and then make me laugh all in the same heartbeat. Someone who I pine for when he’s away and want to kick out of the house when he forgets to take out the trash or clean up the huge mess he and the boys made when they were playing. The house is always messier when he’s home, but it’s so bright and filled with energy when he’s around too.

I love him.

I can’t help myself.

I’ll adore him for the rest of my life.

And I pine for him now, which is why I’m padding down the hospital corridor in my socks.

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