Page 82 of Afterglow
Coach Morgan and I accept the trophy first before Austin comes over for his turn to parade it around. Not that I mind.
The only person I want to truly celebrate with has curly blonde hair, green eyes and owns my heart.
Chapter 38
Jazmine Allen
Snow cascades from the sky, the weather signalling Christmas is on the horizon.
The window in Theo's bedroom has the best view—looking out to Lakewood’s picturesque campus with walkways, massive palm trees while the rugged mountains are scattered across the horizon.
Although the December weather limits my ability to fully appreciate the beautiful campus, I can still embrace thefall of snow.
Meadow Beach rarely has true winter weather, which is nice if you like harsh sun rays and an endless summer.
At first glance, snow deceives the brain with a reputation for being cold and heartbreaking. Yet, for me, it brings comfort as it may be cruel on the outside but with the right touch, it will melt.
It’s how I would describe my relationship with Theo when we first met: he was the sunshine and I was the snow. But that isn’t how a partnership should run.
Healing has provided a different outlook on my relationship. One day Theo will be the snow and it’s my turn to be the sun, with the goal to melt his fears and walls.
It’s hard to believe we have only been together for two months. But when I look back on the past three years, every moment Theo and I shared was building up to this time of our lives.
Speaking of time, it has slipped through my fingertips. The semester ended a week ago, leaving Theo and I to relax. And by that, I mean days lounging around in his bed after being exhausted from sex.
Now, I know what Willow was talking about when she said sex was meant to be fun and carefree.
Theo also wanted to have time for us after celebrating the Lakewood Devils championship win.
Everyone was excited, the boys were campus celebrities for a good three weeks. Although, if anyone deserved it, it was the Lakewood Devils. Not many college teams can win championships back-to-back.
I flick my gaze from the window to Theo, who is spread across his bed. I’ve never known someone who could make bed hair look as sexy as him, while the rest of his body is hidden under the covers.
How did I get so lucky?
He and his dad have been working on their relationship after everything that went down during the season. Theo is happy his dad is making the effort to know him as a person, not a football player. Plus, he is seeing a therapist to heal.
This past week I’ve been trying to find the courage to ask Theo to come home for Christmas.
A groan pulls my attention across the room, Theo is patting the bed sheets to find where I am. I can’t help but laugh.
“Princess, why are you out of bed?”
His tone is low and husky, another thing that is unbelievably sexy about Theodore Knight in the morning—his voice.
“Just thinking,” I say with a sigh.
More like overthinking but it’s basically my default setting.
“Come think closer to me,”
I shake my head and a small chuckle escapes my throat. We’ve had many discussions about what our love languages are and physical touch is definitely Theo’s.
I slip under the covers, Theo’s body heat radiating onto me as he tugs me closer.
“What’s going on in that pretty brain of yours?”
I blush at the compliment. What? I like that he thinks I’m smart. And the fact Theo knows whenever my brain goes on overdrive is one reason why I’m falling in love with him. I had this revelation before the football game but in the moment Theo came running to me, I knew I was done for.
