Page 130 of You Found Me
“That’s good to know. Come on, let’s go grab a pint of ice cream from the freezer and eat it in bed while we watch trashy TV.”
“You know how to treat a girl, huh?” she says, smiling.
I look down at this brave woman, her bright eyes and watery smile, and all I can think is: she’s my whole future.
Cougar Callout
We couldn’t let our holiday break begin before bringing you the latest bit of dirt on our boys.
As of this morning, December 22, 2025, Chance Collins has been released from the Charleston Cougars. If you’re like us, you probably want to know why the team owners gave the boot to their newest player. And we’ve got the answers for you.
Over the weekend, sources sent video footage of a ratheralarmingaltercation between Chance and ex-fiancée, Emmaline Jones. While we’ve been known to show photos of arguments, wewill notnor will we evershare videos of physical violence.
All we will say is that Chance Collins was arrested for assault, as well as possession of cocaine. We were able to obtain police reports stating he had traces of cocaine and anabolic steroids in his system. Both of which are highly illegal within the NFL.
Apparently, Collins wanted to make sure he had his very own White Christmas.
While we’re sad to see such a big gossip topic go, we can’t help but wonder—who will they get to replace him?
Personally, our hopes are set on a certain six-foot four, smooth talking, silver-eyed, bronze skinned hunk, who’s currently in his second year with the Tennessee Titans, instead of the poor third-rate tight end they have as their backup.
But what do we know?
Until next time.
xoxo
Chapter 41
Emmaline
Not allowing Chance to ruin any more of my life, I refused to let Spencer cancel our joint Christmas.
Our moms have been having weekly calls since we planned this to discuss everything. Mom has kept it all pretty hush-hush, which is silly since I know our traditions and Spencer said they don’t really have any.
When our families arrived last night, Mom gave us each a gift bag and told us not to open it until bedtime. I already know what’s in it: matching Christmas pajamas, fuzzy socks, PEZ dispensers, and candy canes. It’s a fun part of my family’s holiday tradition and I love that she included the four of them in this. After getting settled, we prepped the homemade lasagna for tomorrow.
I’m sure lasagna isn’t a typical Christmas lunch, but it’s something my mom started doing when she and Dad got together. It explains where I get my love of pasta from, it just brings out all my happy memories. Beckett seemed to enjoy watching someone else’s technique on making homemade noodles and sauce. He even offered to make homemade cheesy garlic bread and none of us objected to that.
We all watched The Santa Clause after cleaning up. And by all, I mean both of our dads passed out within the first half hour. Mom and June laughed at how similar their husbands are—even with the age difference. They’ve been getting along so well, and I think because June is used to having a younger sister, she’s treating my mom as though she’s her sister as well.
Heading back into the kitchen as the end credits roll, I start to grab everything I need from the pantry. Since I was old enough to use the oven, I’ve been the one to make our homemade cinnamon rolls. Mom said Edie taught her when she worked at the diner and then she taught me.
“I guess we shouldn’t have a food fight, huh?” Spencer asks with a smile.
Shaking my head, I tell him, “It’d probably be best if we didn’t. This is serious business. Before living with C—before moving away, I’d always make a tray for us, then one for the Callahans, and the Holts. Since I’m back in town, I thought I’d start that tradition again.”
He chuckles. “Definitely serious business then. Are we baking them tonight? It’s kinda late?”
“Nope. I need to let them proof overnight before baking them in the morning.”
“Then let’s get these in the fridge so I can take you upstairs and have my way with you inyourchildhood bedroom.”
I feel my eyes widen. “We can’t do that here!”
Spencer smirks. “I believe we did exactly that inmychildhood bedroom.”
“But that was different.”
