Page 140 of Doesn't Count

I pull back to find his eyes and that’s when I see him; Oliver, my best friend. The realization hits me dead center in the chest, forcing a small gasp to escape my lips. I’m in love with Oliver, the kid down the street from me, the boy that I did everything with growing up. The boy that I overlooked for a fantasy I would never live.

“I love you, Oliver Matthews. I wish I had seen it that day in the woods and I’m so sorry I didn’t, but I see it now. I see it in the man you’ve become, I see it in whoever you will be. I love you so damn much.”

Khoas

Oliver...

Oliver Matthews...

That name has never sounded so sweet coming from her lips. I thought I would never want to hear that name again, but then she said it and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s like fucking kerosene to the flame burning deep inside of me, scorching every nerve inside my body, and it feels so damn good.

The fear of seeing her again disappears instantly, replaced with an antidote to a fatal poison. She’s everything; my breath, my life, my future and I tell her just that while our mouths fuse against one another.

“They’re still watching.” I finally whisper to her, slowly letting her slide down my body.

She dips her head to the ground, allowing her golden curls to hide her blushing face. There’s an overwhelming euphoria inside of me that elicits an involuntary chuckle. That’s when I catch her gaze again, her eyes glued to mine.

Inside those orbs of blue, I find us old and happy. Our past long forgotten. Our trauma non-existent. I find an everlasting love that never waivers, proof in the clones we make of ourselves.

In her eyes, I find a life that we make count.

Epilogue

Ashton

“What are we doing here?” I ask, swatting a bug away.

The air is muggy and hot for late September, but it doesn’t keep Oliver from pulling me along.

My feet trip over a protruding root that cuts across the path we’re on. This trail all too familiar, only this time, I’m not afraid of what lurks deeper in these woods. It helps that the early morning sun casts a shaded glow through the thick forest leaves.

It’s not the first time we’ve returned to our spot, but on a hot day like this, I’d much rather be getting ice cream or slipping under the cool water of the neighborhood pool, not hiking.

Oliver chuckles, looking back as I right myself after nearly face planting.

“Come on.”

I groan but pick the pace back up.

By the time we’re pushing through the telltale bushes, I’m taken aback. Set out by the river is a blanket with a bottleof Champagne on ice and a picnic basket. My eyes narrow on Oliver, questioning him even further.

“What is all this?” I laugh.

“Well, you said the first time I ever kissed you it didn’t count. So, here we are redoing our first kiss. Only, this one will count.” He smirks, leading me over to the blanket.

I slip off my sandals, ready to finally sit, but he stops me, yanking me back up by the hand.

My brows dip in confusion as he clears his throat, dropping to a knee before me. Suddenly, my overly worked heart stops beating. Even the light sheen of sweat coating my forehead from our walk turns cold.

“What are y-”

“Ashton Bliss Crawford, from the moment I met you, I knew you were it. You had the entire school begging for your attention, yet you still wanted mine. The day you smiled at me from across the playground, you caught it. You hooked me on your sunshine and all that darkness inside my heart slowly faded away. With you, I always felt free. I felt heard. I felt like I belonged. You were my best friend, Ash. Still are. Only, now I want you to be my wife. I loved you then and I love you now.” With shaking fingers, he pulls out a black velvet box. “Will you marry me?”

Tears fall freely down my cheek, only this time they’re tears of relief and joy, something I’m slowly starting to get used to again.

My eyes peel away from his to look down at the diamond glittering back at me. Simple, elegant, modest. The opposite of our very lives. The thought causes me to giggle, but I couldn’t love it more.

I nod, the words catching in my throat, but for Oliver’s sake I force it out. “Yes.”

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