Page 52 of Accidentally Joining His Cult

Goldie

ZERO MORE DAYS!

Goldie

Good morning!

Goldie

SO EXCITED!

Salem

Good morning, can’t wait to see you. About to board the plane now.

Ituck my phone away as I grab my carry-on bag to board this flight. It’s the smallest commercial plane I’ve ever been on. My family might be able to afford private, but it seems like such a waste of resources if it isn’t necessary.

And I kinda hate that my first thought when I saw this tiny plane was that I should have just taken the jet.

Might make me an entitled asshole, but I wish I had.

The flight lasts a little over three and a half hours, and I try to get ahead on some work, but the business class seats that were the best option for this tiny aircraft are just slightly bigger seats at the front. The person next to me is chewing loudly, and I’m too distracted thinking about seeing Cody to get anything done anyway.

It’s been a really long, annoying, frustrating month since I last saw him. We’ve talked every day; constantly texting, talking on the phone, or video calling whenever we could. Cody and I have shared countless orgasms over video calls, and have even sent dirty pictures and videos, teasing the other person when they’re busy, but talking over the phone could never compare to actually being with him in person. I want to fall asleep with him in my arms, not on a video call propped up on the pillow next to me.

The Werewolves had a great run, but we were eliminated in game six of the semifinals. I was devastated we made it so close to the Cup, and just like that, the season was over. The players were pissed, the fans were a mix of angry and heartbroken, and the office felt like a funeral.

Obviously, I was also very, very sad.

But there was a tiny part of me—maybe it’s Cody’s glass-half-full attitude rubbing off—that felt a flicker of relief. I could finally shift my focus to planning this trip.

Sure, I wasn’t able to visit until after the draft, regardless of our loss, but there was still a ton of work I had to wrap up before I went on this trip. If we’d won, it would have significantly delayed my departure, not only with more games but with the press, parades, merch, and all the chaos that comes with winning.

I’ve decided next year is the year the Werewolves will take it all, and for now, I can focus on what the fuck to do about Cody.

Not that I’ve been able to think of anything yet. I’ve been doing some research into Kyla, but other than their marketing campaigns for their programs and their required public tax filings and business statements, there isn’t much about them online.

I even asked Jordan if he’d heard anything unofficial about them, and he said he vaguely remembered someone from Kyla giving a seminar at his company, but nothing beyond that.

I was hoping to find an easy solution, maybe a way that Cody could relocate to Chicago, but it isn’t that simple. Their only offices are located in Montana, and I know how much Cody loves working for Kyla. I could never ask him to quit.And what the fuck would I do in Montana?Working for the Werewolves has been my dream for as long as I can remember. My friends are in Chicago, and my family. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I’ve finally admitted to myself that I want a future with him. I know that I should have accepted it sooner, given how much I think about him and how amazing he makes me feel when we’re talking or spending time together. Even just thinking about him makes me happy.

My relief at losing our shot at the cup this year made one thing very clear.

I love him.

I don’t know why I kept trying to convince myself that it was just a fling that would fizzle out when we got bored with each other.

There’s no moving on from Cody. He’s it for me.

I want the wedding, the dogs, and the whole damn happily ever after—whatever he wants, I want it too. But I also want us to be happy. It might make me a selfish asshole that I’m not willing to pack up and join him in Montana permanently, but I want both of us to have fulfilling lives as individuals so we can make each other stronger by being together. I want to find a way for that future to exist, where one of us doesn’t have to sacrifice everything to make the other happy. Even I know that can only lead to resentment and problems.

I can’t settle for anything less than the kind of future Cody deserves. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen, but leaving Chicago and everything I love there doesn’t feel like the right decision.

Every morning since I finalized a date, I’ve woken up to a countdown text, followed by a “good morning” from Cody. Each message feels like it’s piecing my bitter, untrusting heart back together. I know in my bones that Cody doesn’t give a fuck about my family’s money or influence and is excited to spend time with mefor me.

I’m still not sure what makes me so special, but I’m trying to ignore those doubts and embrace how lucky I am to have met him. I never thought I could meet someone I’m able to trust so completely.

---