Page 116 of Puck Block

My eyes burn, and I feel a fullness that wasn’t there before. One tear slips over my cheek, and he swipes it away.

“I know that for years I’ve called you Heartbreaker…” he whispers, “but don’t you dare break my heart, Taytum. You got it?”

The tiniest smile slips onto my face. “I can’t make any promises.”

His eyes narrow. “You and your fucking games,” he mutters. “Scoot.”

I make room for him on the bed, and he takes me in his arms.

There’s a lot going on, and I’m hit with guilt knowing there’s going to be even more medical bills my parents will have to face on top of what they’re going to think about Ford and me, but I know, with him by my side, it’ll be fine.

It’s me and him, against everyone else.

“Ford?” I whisper.

“Heartbreaker?” he whispers back.

I settle in closer. “I love you.”

His heart beats faster against my ear. “I love you too.”

I turn, and his mouth is already there, waiting for me. His hand sweeps my hair away from my cheek, and I’m in a world of bliss when he kisses me. I feel right at home with each caressof his lips—so much that when someone clears their throat, I almost don’t pull away.

Ford and I break apart, but he keeps his back to Dr. McCarthy.

“Ford.”

Ford grumbles under his breath.

I meet Dr. McCarthy’s disapproving look. and he sighs exasperatedly. “Will you tell him to go get his CT?”

My jaw drops. “Ford Collins!”

He sighs. “Ugh, fine!”

I watch him drag his feet all the way to the doorway before he turns and reassures me that he’ll be right back. Then he says, “Oh, and by the way, I figured out a plan to afford that pump. That way, this”—he points back and forth between me and my IV— “will never happen again."

He winks and saunters out the door.

EPILOGUE

FORD

I standand stare at the masterpiece I’ve hung above the fireplace like it’s a fine piece of art and smile to myself. I’m all alone in this big ol’ house that I grew up in, and it feels weird to know that the deed is in my name instead of Jay’s and Mary-Ann’s.

All their belongings are still inside, and they’re due back soon after meeting with the realtor and lawyers to finish the selling process.

They refused to accept my offer to get them caught up on bills and to purchase Taytum’s insulin pump as well as future medications. Jay’s exact words were, “You can pay for Taytum’s medical expenses when you’re married and she's on your insurance. For now, it’s not your problem.”

I took that as an excuse to propose, butapparently,running across the living room and kneeling in front of Taytum three seconds after the words left her father’s mouth wasn’t what anyone had in mind.

After I had filled Claire and Theo in on what was going on with Taytum and how I was going to contact my father afternearly fifteen years of not speaking and take the money he had offered me after he learned of my mother dying, Claire came up with a much better plan.

At the time, I wasn’t sure it would work.

But thanks to her close proximity to some high-up people in the pros, I was quickly granted an agent, presented to multiple pro teams that already had their eye on me, and several offers were on the table within days. Each came with a signing bonus that I could choose to receive over time, like most players, or right away.

Naturally, I went with the highest one, and the money was in my account as soon as I signed the papers.

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