Page 102 of Sack

“I assume for the reason you gave me at the time.”

“That’s only partly true. I was starting to develop feelings for you.” She shook her head. “No that’s a lie. I wasn’t starting, somewhere along the line I fell in love with you. But with you so absent, being with you was breaking my heart one day at a time.”

She watched as his jaw clenched and his hands tightened on the wheel. “And how do you feel about me now?”

“My feelings for you haven’t changed, but that doesn’t alter the fact I still need more from you.”

“And I’m willing to give it.”

She shook her head again. “You say that now, but what about when next season starts? Will I get a few months of devoted Colt only to get distant Colt again?”

“That won’t happen.”

“You can’t possibly know that.”

He turned to her then, looking her in the eyes. “I know.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not strong enough to go through that again. I’m not willing to take that chance.”

“Give me until we get home to prove it.”

“Unless you can show me six months into the future, there’s no way you can.”

“Just promise me you won’t make any final decisions until we get home.” He turned to her. “Please. That’s all I’m asking.”

She knew it was impossible, but what the heck, she’d didn’t have anything to lose at that point. “Okay.”

“Thank you.” He reached for her hand again and this time she let him take it.

Leaning back in her seat, she closed her eyes and savored the feel of his thumb as it skimmed back and forth along her knuckles.

She had missed his touch, but she told herself not to get used to it, knowing it would probably be the last time she felt it.

Chapter Twenty-three

Colt

“Where are we going?” Ivy asked as Colt took the exit ramp off the freeway.

“There’s something I want to show you.”

Cruising the streets of his old neighborhood, it didn’t take long for him to reach Pasadena High School. He pulled into the parking lot closest to the football field and parked.

“Is this where you went to school?”

“Yeah.” With a heavy heart, he got out of the car.

It had grown dark in the five hours they’d been driving, but a full moon shone, giving off enough light that he could see not much had changed over the years.

Ivy got out of the car. “What are we doing here?”

Colt went around to her side and took her hand. “Come on.”

He led her to a low spot in the gate, jumped it, then helped her over. They walked to the center of the field.

“Are you going to tell me why we’re here?” she asked after several minutes of his continued silence.

Colt tipped his head toward the sky and closed his eyes. “I’ve never told anyone this.” He took a deep breath while collecting his thoughts. “This is where it all started.”

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