Page 42 of The Night We Met

“I’m not saying do that before or during the season. After. I love Kamryn like another daughter and so does your dad, brothers, and your sister. She challenges you and pushes you to be a better man. And I have seen that change in you. But if the love that you two have is real, then I have no doubt that Kamryn will be more than understanding.”

I choke down my emotions. “But what if she doesn’t? What if this breaks her and I so badly that neither of us can recover? What then?”

“Oh honey. I can’t answer that for you. Only you can. Focus on the two of you for now. Love her. Cherish her. And when the time comes, look her in the eye and tell her that it’s for your future and possibly both of y’all’s future. I wish I could be there with you. Just know that I love you and your father and I aren’t going anywhere.”

“I know. I love you too. Bye, Mom.”

“Bye, sweetheart.”

If this isn’t a fantastic end to the summer. I can’t do it. If I have to make good on my threat to quit the team now, then I will. Football is temporary, I know that. But a love like what Kamryn and I have could be forever. I feel it in my bones.

“Hey baby! I’m about ten minutes out,” her voice sounds far away, but I know it’s because she’s talking through Bluetooth.

“Want me to help you move your stuff in?”

“Pretty please with me on top?” she begs.

She gets a chuckle out of me, “Of course. I’ll see you in a bit. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I told the coach this morning that if he wanted me to break up with Kamryn, then it would have to be after the season ended or I quit. He wasn’t pleased at what I said, but when I told him that if I broke up with her before the season started then I’d be uncommitted to the game and unfocused. That his chance of winning the National Championship would be shot. That sobered him up and he agreed. His reputation also wouldn’t survive if word got out that I quit and why.

I still haven’t had time to process everything that he wants from me. Break up with my girlfriend to focus on getting drafted. What draftee has ever made it through this process without a significant other by their side? The support from a significant other is unmatched. The only other option would be marriage, but neither of us is ready for that. I’ll already barely see her once the season starts and her sorority starts with rush week and bids. I can’t add that to her already full plate. This is such a mess that I never foresaw.

The Kappa Beta house isn’t too far from campus. That’s where I am now waiting for her to pull up. Kamryn was lucky to get a room to herself her first year in the house. I think it also had something to do with her being a Rawlins. Her car honking pulls me out of my own head.

The feeling that I get when I see her is indescribable. It’s like I can breathe again. I jog over to her car and she barely puts it in park before jumping out to hug me. I call her my little koala because of how she wraps her arms and legs around me. She pulls her head back to kiss me hard and passionately. How did I ever live without her? We slow down the kiss when we hear the cheering and whooping of other students. Kamryn reluctantly releases her grip on my body and slowly slides down the front of my body. She looks up at me with a devilish grin before placing a kiss in the middle of my chest.

I’m walking out of class when I see Kamryn talking to Liam some little ways down. Her back is to me so it’s the perfect time to scare her. Liam sees me walking up and I put myfinger to my lip to keep him quiet. He continues his conversation with her as if nothing is happening. Liam slightly raises his eyebrows to give me a sign of when to scare her and that’s what I do.

“Ohmygod!!” Kamryn shrieks as she jumps out of her skin and then turns around and smacks me in the chest.

Liam and I are both bent over with laughter trying to catch our breaths.

“This isn’t funny! I could’ve hurt myself…or peed my pants.”

I sober up some to hug her close to me. “I’m sorry babe. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Thanks man,” I say and dap Liam up.

“Yeah. No problem. Any chance to scare Rynny. Anyways, I’ve got to get running or I’m gonna be late for practice,” Liam says with a chuckle still lingering.

“I hate you both.” Kamryn says with a cute little scowl on her face.

Liam wraps his arm around her shoulder. “No you don’t. You never could. Later peeps.”

“Later Liam.” I call out as he waves. Kamryn is still pouting when I take her into my arms. “Come on babe. You can’t be that upset with us.”

She arches an eyebrow at me. “Payback is a dish best served cold.”

“Is that what you’re planning in that mischievous mind of yours?”

“I guess you’ll just have to follow me to find out.” Kamryn says and slips out of my embrace.

I’m too shocked to even process what she’s staying and also a little turned on that she’s planning something to get back at me. My mom’s words ring in my head “Just enjoyyour time with her while you can”. God I love this girl so much. I’d marry her right now if I could. Kamryn turns around when she notices I’m still firmly planted on the spot.

“You coming superstar?”

I smile at the name she’s given me and jog over to where she’s waiting for me. “I love you so much.”

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