Page 97 of The Night We Met

“Are you okay with it?” Because that is the only thing that worries me.

“Honestly, before I even got traded I told myself that ten years in the league is plenty enough. And after the hits over the years and the one at the last game, I’m realizing that my body isn’t recovering as easily as it once did. After this season ends, I’m done.”

I’m trying my hardest to hold back my tears. But failing miserably.

“Baby don’t cry,” Mason says as he gently wipes the tears from under my eyes.

“But this is everything that you worked for,” I tell him through a sob.

“It’s also what took me away from you. I’m tired of living my life always on the road. I want to settle down in one place.”

He makes a lot of sense.

“I don’t want you to wake up one morning and regret not playing your last years out.”

Mason squats a little so we’re eye level. “Hey. I’d rather stop now when I have full use of my body. I don’t want to live a life half-functioning. I want a full mobile life with you and one day our kids.”

I nod my head through the tears that are still falling.

“Okay. Deep breath.” Mason instructs.

I do as he says. Taking multiple deep breaths to bring me back to normal.

“Good girl. I love you. And I don’t want that kind of life for me. For us.”

“I love you too,” I murmur as he gently wipes the tears from under my eyes.

“Now come on, pretty girl. Let’s go be tourists.” Mason declares as he wraps an arm around my shoulder and directs us towards Big Ben. I melt into him and press a kiss to the side of his chest.

I love this man more than anything. But I’m terrified that he’s gonna wake up missing it more than he loves me. Football tore us apart once. Yes, we found our way back to one another but who’s to say that something better won’t come around for him? Am I being too negative? Things between Mason and I are better now that we’re older. We’re both established in our careers. The love we have is stronger and more solid now.

“Have you ever thought about moving?”

“Where did that come from?”

“I dunno. I guess I like the anonymity that both of us have over here. You know?”

Mason nods his head thoughtfully. “I do. But you and I both know that we could never be too far from our family.”

“You’re right. Oh my god!” I wish I knew other words but those are failing me at the moment.

We’ve finally come into view of Big Ben. I knew the clock tower was iconic, but wow!

“It’s huge.” I say in astonishment and hear Mason snicker beside me. “The clock. Not you.”

“Uh huh. Well, we can’t go in for a tour, but we can take pictures.”

“Are you going to retire to become my Instagram boyfriend?” I joke.

“Absolutely. Although that title will have to change to Instagram husband.”

Giggling and blushing like a schoolgirl, I pull Mason towards an area that’s a little less crowded, but still has Big Ben in its view.

Mason instructs me where to stand, how to pose, how to have my facial expressions; I come to find out that he’s really good at this and I need to thank his sister.

“Excuse me?” I ask someone that’s walking past. “Would you mind taking some pictures of us?”

“Of course not. Are you Kamryn Rawlins?”

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