Page 131 of Endgame

His features brighten with relief before he grabs the sides of my face and pulls me in for a deep kiss. The kiss is grounding. It’s our way of soaking in the connection we’ve developed and acknowledging what we mean to each other.

I’m glad I can finally explain the deepest parts of my heart to him.

Slowly pulling our lips apart, Callaway’s forehead finds mine, the stillness balancing us to each other. He feels like the other piece of me, like my piece won't operate properly without his half.

I’m positive that’s how it’s supposed to feel when you meet your match, and your endgame becomes your forever.

“I’m not going anywhere, Dakota.” He would never, and I know that.

“I know.”

“Hell yeah!That’s what I’m talking about, boys! Thirty grand in Leggins’s pockets. Talk about a solid win.”

Mack is doing his best to pump up the team for their efforts today.

The car wash was a success.

The staff and team raised thirty thousand dollars in four hours. That’s unheard of and is primarily a result of the players washing cars shirtless, and more than likely from King working the street corner attempting to sway customers to drive in.

Before we knew it, cars lined the hardware store parking lot past the Smoothie King entrance.

This will help Jack and Taylor immensely. Being a part of something at this level of importance is incredibly rewarding.

Callaway showed zero care for our obvious affection toward one another. It was almost like a switch flipped after last night, leaving him helpless against his need to touch me, be near me, and hold me. I loved every second of it. So much that I found myself searching for idle moments to steal him away and seal my lips over his.

After Callaway left this morning, he called within ten minutes, asking me to meet him for breakfast before the carwash. It was a very late breakfast, but who am I to say no to him?

Pancakes sounded like heaven after the night we had.

It feels so nice to go out in public together like an actual couple. Although we didn’t have much time until we needed to be back here to set up, something as simple as holding hands while walking into the restaurant felt like such a monumental thing for us. We’ve already made plans to spend the day at the beach on the team’s next off weekend.

I realize we will have plenty of chances to see each other, given we work together, but planning little things like beach walks and breakfast dates will give us something outside of the field to look forward to.

I’m excited for all the plans to come.

Spotting Navy cleaning up event materials under the shaded tent, I make my way over to congratulate my best friend on another successful turnout.

“What up, lady? You did incredible today, but no surprise there.”

Her talent continues to impress me. She laughs playfully, organizing the leftover tickets. “So did you, my friend. I can’t wait to see the photos you took.”

I won’t lie; this was such an entertaining event to photograph.

The guys put on quite the show without one complaint. Gus was in charge of the playlist and almost every other song he played was either by Missy Eliot or Gretchen Wilson, two very opposite choices but true female icons.

The customers received their money's worth, and there was no woman objecting to a half-naked Striker rubbing his chest on her windshield. It’s hilarious how Callaway was convinced the women would bring in the attention.

The only eyes on me were from my caveman of aboyfriend.

Just the way I like it.

Every dance and desperate attempt at a donation was documented. I plan to assemble a scrapbook for Jack when we present him with the check.

“Got any plans after this? I could use a girl's night if you’re up for it. I have so much to tell you.” It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed my best friend. Navy never turns down a girl's night.

“Sorry, I can’t.”Until now.That’s strange.

“Oh, that’s okay. Everything alright?”

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