Page 40 of For Puck's Sake

“Fifteen minutes, Miss Brookes,” Travis says as he and Jasper step away from me to give us some privacy. I don’t look back as I close the distance between Ridley and I, jumping eagerly into his strong outstretched arms. He catches me easily, large hands cradle my thighs, as I wrap myself around him.

Holding his face in between my hands, I press my forehead to his and breath him in. “Hi, baby,” is all I manage to say beforeour lips collide in an earth-shattering kiss. It’s messy, sweet, tender, hard and passionate at the same time. The kiss says, I love you, I miss you, I don’t ever want to be apart from you and so much more. It’s hungry, igniting a fire low in my belly that makes me squirm in his arms, but we aren’t in a place to do anything about it. Then I remember, the clock is ticking, and I have so much I need to say.

Pulling away, I get straight to it, but keep my head close to his, keeping my words between the two of us.

“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” he asks before I can utter a word. My control snaps and all the pent-up emotions I’ve been holding back tonight spill down my cheeks.

All I can manage is a tight nod of my head, my throat is tight with the need to sob, rendering me speechless. I drop my head away from his, trying and failing to pull myself together. My shoulders shake as I wrap myself tightly around him.

“It’s okay, Luna. Tell me what’s going on, Angel, please,” he says calmly as his thumbs brush soothingly along the skin of my thighs.

I know I’m wasting time, so I pull myself together after a minute and wiggle in Ridley arms until he puts me back on my feet. I need distance if I’m going to do this.

He reaches for my face and gently brushes away my tears, but I’m a leaky faucet at this point as they continuously fall down my face. “They changed my schedule today. It’s why I missed the scrimmage and my class. I had to pack to leave. I’m on a plane to LA tonight. I have. . . I have to leave you.” I barely managed to get the words out before my throat fails me again.

“What, why? We had three more days, Brea,” he says, his face falling into a confused frown, looking from me to Dean to the bodyguards behind me.

“It’s the label’s decision. With all the press brewing between the two of us and now the breaking news about the baby, theydecided to bring me to LA before I move on to Austin,” I say, wiping tears from eyes. I fortify myself and stand up straighter, I can break later, right now, I need to be strong.

Ridley places his hands on his hips, and he drops his head. “This is my fault, they are doing this because of me. But here’s the thing, Angel, Hazel discovered my fake baby momma is a crazy stalker.”

I step forward, sure I wasn’t hearing him right. “She’s a what?”

He looks up, throwing his hands up in frustration. “A stalker, and I’m not the only athlete she’s done it to. She’s an equal opportunity nut case, with multiple aliases. I just happened to be her next victim. See, Angel, I rushed over here to tell you, it’s over.” He finishes with a growing smile on his face.

I can’t hide my relief as my smile mirrors his and I’m in his arms once more. I would have seen him through it all, accepted whatever outcome if I needed to because walking away from him isn’t an option. He was right, and I believe him. I’m glad it’s over.

With his face buried in my locs, I barely hear his muffled plea. “Please, stay with me, Luna.”

Oh, how I wish I could. “I can’t, baby. I have a flight that leaves from SeaTac tonight. I have to be in LA for a meeting tomorrow.”

After a moment, he sighs, and I can sense his resignation as he pulls back and grips my face with his hands. “So, this is it, Angel. Our time is up,” he says before he lowers his lips to mine and kisses me softly, reverently, pouring everything he wants to say into the joining of our lips. I melt into his arms, wanting more time, but knowing there’s none.

When we break apart, I look up into sorrowful blue eyes and I offer him a watery smile. “This isn’t goodbye, Rid. We keep our promise to one another. We hold on to each other from afar. Wecommunicate and we make time for each other. Remember?” I say reassuringly as I inject a bit of cheery resolve into my voice.

Pressing his forehead to mine again, squeezing me tighter, he says, “I will never forget, Luna.”

“I love you, Ridley Masters,” I say as a sob escapes my throat.

He brushes his lips against mine, then kisses my tears away. “I love you more, Angel.” Remember, there is nowhere you can go, where I can’t follow. I will find you in the dark, baby, you’re my moon?—"

“We just need to look up,” I say, repeating his words from this morning as we lay tangled together in each other’s arms. I can’t believe it was only a few hours ago after everything that’s happened today.

Jasper’s deep voice cuts through our moment, his tone slightly remorseful as he reminds me of the time. “It’s time, Miss Brookes.”

Ridley squeezes me harder, and I let him. I inhale his scent, burying my face in his shirt. Imprinting him on my senses, his touch, his scent, the feel of him in my arms before I finally pull away.

“I love you, Ridley Masters,” I say as I back away from his hold. Each step like a stab to the heart but I know it’s only temporary. I’m not running. No, this is how we both get what we want. The time apart is a sacrifice we are both willing to make for our future forever.

“I love you more, Brea Brookes,” he replies as he steps away reluctantly. He pauses, capturing one last look at me, then with a quick wave, he turns, and I watch him until he fades into the crowd.

Wiping away my tears, I roll my shoulders back and put one foot in front of the other as I’m escorted away from the festival, sandwiched between Jasper and Travis. I don’t look back, because this isn’t goodbye.

No, this is our journey to forever and the road will lead me back to him. No matter the distance, we will find each other, always.

EPILOGUE

BREA

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