Page 135 of The Hearts We Fumble
“How did you manage to pull all this off without me catching on?” I ask, my gaze shifting to Zane as I try to process the effort it must’ve taken.
He lifts a shoulder in a casual shrug, but there’s pride in his eyes. “Took some planning. But seeing that smile on your face? Worth every second.”
Before I can say more, Colter and Ava step forward. My brother wraps me in a hug, his embrace warm, steady, and for the briefest moment, it feels like we’re kids again—before everything changed.
“Happy birthday, sis,” he murmurs.
When he steps back, Ava takes his place, and as she moves in to hug me, I catch the glint of the ring on her finger. A promise ring. I swallow against the unexpected emotion tightening my throat. Colter gave it to her before they spent the year apart—his way of showing her that he wasn't going anywhere, no matter the distance.
It hits me all at once.
This could be the last time we’re all together like this. The guys will soon be scattered across the country, drafted to different teams, starting new lives. I’ll be going with Zane, wherever he ends up, but the rest of us will be left figuring out how to navigate what comes next—how to hold on to the friendships we built in the place that shaped us.
Ava hugs me tighter. “Happy birthday, Wy,” she says softly.
I close my eyes briefly, breathing it all in. Today isn’t just a birthday—it’s a moment in time I’ll never get back. A reminder of how much has changed and how fleeting it all is before everything shifts again.
After rounds of hugs from Everly, Tatum, and Hallyn, I slip inside to change into my swimsuit.
Zane is sitting at the edge of his bed when I step out of the bathroom. He doesn’t notice me at first, his head tipped down. But when the door clicks shut, his eyes jerk up, locking onto me like I just knocked the wind out of him.
“Jesus.” His voice is reverent, his gaze trailing over my body like he’s committing every inch to memory.
Heat sparks in my stomach. I’ll never get tired of the way he looks at me.
I don’t move as he pushes himself to his feet, closing the space between us in slow, deliberate steps like he’s savoring the anticipation.
“How long do you think we could get away before they come looking for us?” His voice is barely a whisper, rough with desire.
I glance past him, across the bed, and out the sliding glass doors leading to the patio. The windows reflect like mirrors at this time of day—no one outside can see in. But as Zane’s arm snakes around my waist, pulling me flush against him, the heat pooling low in my stomach almost has me believing they could.
“Not long,” I murmur. “Tatum and Everly will come for me if we take too long.”
Zane chuckles, his breath warm against my skin. “True.” His lips graze my neck. “Guess I’ll have to be quick.”
His fingers link with mine, and just as I open my mouth to ask what exactly he means, he nudges my legs apart with his knee.
“Zane?” I start, but then his palm presses against my lower back, guiding me forward until my hands meet the mattress.
My breath catches.
One second, he’s behind me, his body flush against mine. The next, he’s kneeling, and I feel the slow drag of his breath against the bare skin between my thighs.
“Have I told you how much I love these curves?” His voice is a mix of teasing and worship, his fingers skimming the fabric of my sarong.
I moan in response, unable to form words, let alone a coherent thought.
“Wyatt?” he prompts when I don’t answer.
“Yes,” I whisper, breathless.
Zane’s fingers trace up my thighs, untying the knot at my hip. The material flutters to the floor. Then, with a slow, torturous slide, he tugs the bottom of my swimsuit aside. The first flick of his tongue against my heated skin nearly has my knees buckling.
His grip tightens, keeping me steady.
“We’re gonna have to make this quick, baby,” he murmurs against me, his voice dark with need. “I don’t want anyone interrupting us. But after seeing you in this thing you try calling a swimsuit?” He groans, his fingers digging into my hips. “I can’t wait another second.”
And then, my thoughts scatter completely.
