Page 99 of When Nothing Else Matters

She blushes a little and smiles shyly up at me. “Thank you. For seeing me.”

“Summer, you’re all that I see. God, I love you.” My mouth descends on hers, and she moans when our lips meet.

When I pull back to look her in the eyes, the most beautiful and genuine smile lights up her face.“Remember that time we—”

I crash my lips back down to hers without letting her finish. As much as I love our game, it’s time we focus on making new memories. Summer wraps her legs around me and pulls my body into her, molding us as one. “I love you,” she whispers against my lips, kissing along my jaw. I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face, because I know this is a moment I’ll be reminding her of for years to come.

Game. Over.

Epilogue

Dylan - Six Months Later

Summer’sliftingasmallbox up into the top of the closet when I enter the room. If I wasn’t carrying four extremely heavy boxes this would be the perfect time to take advantage of her. Her long, toned legs and perfect ass are screaming to be touched, and it’s killing me to know I’m running out of time to do that.

When she turns around, I’m still staring, which isn’t easy because I have to peek around the boxes I’m holding.

“If you stare any more intently, I’m going to actually feel it.”

“I’m trying to commit it all to memory for when you’re gone,” I say, while blatantly scanning her body from head to toe.

She shakes her head and laughs. “I’d like to state for the record that it’syouthat’s moving away.” I groan because she’s right. Maybe it’s not too late to change my mind. Summer smiles warmly as though reading my mind. “And, we have a pact to see each other every couple of weeks. Denver’s not far. It’s going to be okay.”

My shoulders sag, and I want to pout like a child who’s not getting their way, but I can’t. This is all my doing.

Summer walks forward and takes the boxes from me, one at a time, before wrapping her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you too.”

I kiss her hair and pull her tight against me. “Am I crazy? I’m doing exactly what I said I wasn’t going to do. I’m leaving my family for football.”

“You’re not leaving anyone. Plus, I encouraged it, remember?”

I sigh and shake my head. “Practically forced me into it,” I joke. Summer was ready to support me with whatever decision I made and even asked me what she could do to help either way. Not that she accepted any of my ideas, which included moving away with me, moving away with me,ormoving away with me. All valid options in my mind.

“And I’m in safe hands back here. I’m moving into this great house with an awesome deck and yard, and…”

“The best damn roommate anyone could ask for,” Joel says, walking into the room.

“Don’t you ever knock? You better knock when Summer’s here alone,” I say with a stern look on my face, and I’m not kidding. Ever since Summer decided to move in here, Joel’s been making my life hell. He’s lucky I trust him with my life, and yes, I mean Summer—she’s my life.

“Relax, Dyl. I’ll wait for her to invite me in before I jump into her bed.”

I punch him in the arm without letting go of Summer and feel her laugh against my chest.

“I meant, walk into her room, obviously,” Joel says with a smirk.He’s going to be the death of me.

Summer pulls back and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips. “Okay, I’m going back to my apartment for two more boxes and then I’m done. Don’t kill each other while I’m gone,” she says as she moves toward the door.

“Want me to come with you?” The thought of being away from her for even a second kills me now that I’m so close to leaving.

Summer smiles sympathetically, completely understanding my feelings. “I was kind of hoping you’d stay and unpack. The sooner that’s done, the sooner we can do other things.” She winks and heads out to her car.

“Well, that wasn’t subtle at all,” Joel says, walking up beside me and patting me on the shoulder. “Please wait until I’m gone before you start your goodbye love fest.”

I punch him in the arm for a second time before pushing him out of my room. I mean, Summer’s room.

Going pro was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, and though I’ll never give him too much credit, knowing Joel’s here, with Summer, and that she has him close by when she needs someone, has made it slightly easier.

Don’t get me wrong, I know Summer can handle herself. I will never doubt her again after the numerous arguments we’ve had over that very topic, arguments shealwayswins. It’s just nice to know he’s there, just in case. It also doesn’t hurt knowing she’s in my bed every night.Her bed! It’s now her bed.I’ll never tell her this but, in my mind, she’s moving in with me; I’m just not always around to enjoy it.

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