Page 96 of Drew
Drew’s nowhere to be found when I make it to the door. I’ve never seen anyone run as fast as him. If I hadn’t heard his words giving me a sense of hope he’d return, I’d be panicking right now.
Wondering where in the hell he’s going, I stand at my front porch to wait.
And wait.
Finally, I see him in the distance, running like he’s making a fast break with only seconds left to go in the game. He bounds up my stairs two at a time. He stops abruptly in front of me, panting with the most beautiful smile written across his face.
Bending down to catch his breath, he places his hands on his knees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so breathless. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what the hell he just bolted off for. When he stands, he holds out a big white envelope.
“Did it…” He takes a deep breath to steady his voice before continuing, “Did it look like this?”
Did what look like this? What the hell is he talking about?
Then I see the logo… and my heart races out of my chest.
No way. It couldn’t be.
Have I been worrying for days over nothing?
Please God, let that be the case. I nod frantically, but my voice is stuck in my chest.
Drew rips into the envelope and quickly pulls out his letter. His eyes are laser focused on the message inside, and I’ve never seen him so unreadable. Eventually, the corners of his lips twitch, but his features remain stoic. Giving me no clue as to what it says.
My heart starts to crumble, and I suddenly can’t breathe.
Holy shit, did he not get in?
Drew stares at me for a long moment before words come out of his mouth. “So… if I told you I was accepted into Johns Hopkins, would it change your mind about being with me?”
Oh, God. What’s he saying?
I feel my body going weak, and I reach for him to steady myself.
Drew closes the distance between us in an instant, concern written all over his beautiful features. “Abby, are you okay?”
“Did you…” I ask weakly, so I clear my throat to say what needs to be said. “Did you get in?”
Instead of saying anything, Drew reaches to me and pulls me into the tightest hug imaginable and whispers, “Yes.”
“Yes?” I ask, needing reassurance. “You got in?”
“Yes!” he shouts loud enough for all my neighbors to hear. “I’m going to Johns Hopkins.”
His lips crash down on mine, and it’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever felt.
The weight of this entire week lifts in an instant, and all my self-doubt instantly disappears.
“Are you fucking with me?” I ask in disbelief. The odds of us both being accepted into this school were so slim.
Drew’s beautiful face shakes, but his infectious smile spreads. “I got in, Angel.”
“Ohmigod, Drew, I’ve been so stressed. For some reason when you left, it hit me like a ton of bricks how much I love you. I couldn’t handle being apart. Then when I got my acceptance letter, I had a whole new worry. I didn’t want you to resent me for going to the school of your dreams.”
Drew lifts a finger to my lips to stop me from saying more. When he has my full attention, his dark-blue eyes lock onto mine and study me. I’m not sure what he sees, but he still feels the need to ask, “So, this isn’t about you not loving me?”
“No… if anything, I love you too much,” I whisper in return.
Drew’s grin splits his face in half as he picks me up and spins me around on my small porch. “Angel, there’s no such thing as loving someone too much. If you’ll let me, I’d be glad to prove this to you.”
