Page 53 of Replay

“You knew who she was before you checked her didn’t you, Emmarys.” His voice softens.

“I did. I planned it. But not just because of her boyfriend.” I step closer to him, my hands resting on his sides, needing to feel him. “I protect you too. You were hurt Hawke and it made me scared, but it also made me angry. No one gets to hurt you either.”

His hand reaches out, grabbing my chin and bringing his body closer to mine. “Why, Emmarys. Tell me why.”

“Because you’re mine.”

His eyes flash and his lips take mine fiercely, his tongue slipping between my lips and stroking along them. My hands grip his sides, holding on while he kisses me thoroughly. I feel his heartbeat against mine, feel like we’re tangled together, and I know for sure deep down inside that the last piece of my heart is stitched back together. Hawke put it back together with his words and actions and this time he tattooed his name all over it.

emma

. . .

We’re creeping closerto winter break and the end of the fall semester. Things are settling down and Hawke has been an unstoppable force on the field. Somehow news of my hit on the girl from Weston made it around and there was a level of respect that I received from football players and more girls from my hockey team than I expected. It was nice to know they didn’t think I was ruining Hawke’s football career anymore, and it felt good just to have them know that no one could mess with him and get away with it. I had his back just like he had mine. I was his and I owned him back just as much.

I don’t even hesitate this week when I grab his jersey from my closet and settle it over my tight, long-sleeve bodysuit. The weather has turned cold here and winter is coming early. Layers are my best friend for today's game, and a very large, very warm jacket that was gifted to me early courtesy of my thoughtful boyfriend. With my fleece leggings on and my feet shoved into my boots, I tuck some hand warmers in my pockets for later. I’m willing to freeze to see this man play; he better know how much I care about him.

My nerves are slightly on edge as I get closer to the stadium but that has more to do with who is coming to Hawke’s game today and less to do with my being worried about him out there. Hawke’s momma and his brother Falcon confirmed yesterday that despite the chilly temps and the possible snow flurries, they plan to attend the game today. Their flight arrived last night, but they didn’t drop by the apartment; they are just meeting me at the stadium instead. Hawke planned ahead and asked for the family box today since he’ll have guests. Of course the administration bent over backwards to accommodate their star player. The perks of dating the number one quarterback in college football.

I show the security guard my ticket and I’m let into the stadium. Another usher helps me find the staircase to the box seats and I start my climb up. Once I’m out of the tunnel, I can feel the chill again and huddle deeper inside my coat. The box itself provides some shelter and cover thankfully. The box is full by the time I step down, and to my relief Sam, Riley, Reign, Leif, Carter, Isla and another guy I’ve never met before are all seated there. Before I can even worry about it being awkward, there’s a squeal of delight and a very southern-accented woman shouting.

“There's our girl!”

Hawke’s momma wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a giant hug, rocking my body back and forth. I’m blinded for a second due to the faux fur hood she has on her jacket, but then she’s pulling back. Her smile and the tears in her eyes instantly defeat the worry I had over seeing her again. Things have changed over the years and with Hawke’s drastic move after he turned twenty-one, I didn’t want her to resent me. In high school my relationship with Hawke’s momma was good; she was sweet, we laughed and talked whenever I was around, so I was nervous it wouldn’t be that way now.

“It's so good to see you,” I tell her, squeezing her arm affectionately.

“Oh, honey.” She hugs me again. “It's so good to see you. I’m so happy for you two.”

Tears sting my eyes and we smile at each other before another arm is thrown around my shoulders.

“Oh my god, Falcon,” I laugh, now having to look up at the man who used to be my height when he was a teenager.

“I’m all grown up now, Emma,” he laughs and hugs me.

“You are so tall,” I giggle and return his hug. He follows it up with a selfie, so he can torment his brother with it later.

“In all seriousness, though, Emma, thank you. Thank you for being here for my brother and for giving him another chance. Watching him spiral when he had to be away from you was one of the hardest things I’ve ever seen. He wasn’t the same, but since being here he’s coming back to the man I knew.”

A tear escapes and I wipe it away quickly. “I couldn’t let go of him either, Fal.”

He laughs gently and gives me a little smirk. “Well, that's good, since I’m pretty sure we’ll be family someday.”

I scoff and push him playfully. “We’ll see if your brother can hang with me for a year first.”

“Oh, Emma, you have no idea how long my brother has been holding onto you for.”

His tone is light, but his words pack a punch. Of course I know it; Hawke has mentioned it before, but there is something different about it when it comes from someone else he’s close to. Eventually we all settle down and watch the game. I laugh more than I have in years at Falcon’s antics and the way he taunts his brother from up in the box. I spend time catching up with Hawke’s momma and she learns all about how my life has been since they left Crimson Bay. I don’t miss the way her eyes mist over when I start talking about my life with Hawke now.

By the end of the fourth quarter, we all swap numbers and plan to grab dinner after the game. Falcon and his momma leave in the morning with only one more night in the hotel. I offer to let them have some family time, but I’m firmly told that I am family and that I have to join them. After saying goodbye to my friends, I stand with Hawke’s family while we wait for him. The steps into the hallway after hitting the locker room his eyes connect with mine. No one even questions it when he hustles over, his hands cupping my jaw and kissing me before he greets his family.

They start talking about food and I’m lost in my mind, running over the events of tonight and feeling overwhelmingly happy. Hawke places a kiss on my cheek, pulling me back to reality in the next second.

“What do you think, sweetheart? That Italian place we tried the other week?”

I blink at him and watch his knowing smile form on his lips. He knows I was too blissed out and barely paying attention. But I do remember the place we went to.

“Yes, Vita Rosa. If you like Italian food, it was very good.”

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