Page 100 of When Nothing Else Matters

I finish unpacking the boxes left in my room and make my way out to the kitchen where Joel’s making a sandwich. He notices my miserable expression and sighs. “For what it's worth, you made the right call. You’re meant to be out on that field. Your dad would be so proud. Hell, I'm proud of you. And Summer…she looks at you like you hung the moon. It’s going to be okay. Go do your thing. Let us support you from here and know that everything will be fine.”

I smile in thanks before pulling Joel into a hug. I needed that. He’s right. Everything’s going to be okay. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss everyone like crazy.

Epilogue Two

Summer - Eighteen Months Later

It’sThanksgivingagain—atleast,it was two weeks ago—but since our Friendsgiving is now a yearly tradition, it’s better late than never.

Most of the same crew from the previous two years are smiling and laughing around the table, and a couple of new faces have joined our little gang. One of which is staring at me with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.Thomas. Our relationship is finally back on track and I’m so happy to have him in my life. He kept his promise to distance himself from our parents, even though I never asked him to, and has only been back once, to question Mom about my father, myrealfather. While she maintains that my dad is my dad, Thomas got the impression she was lying. In fact, he was so convinced of it, he said he’d help me find out the truth. I’m just not sure I’m ready for that yet.

I smile at him and shake my head before he turns his attention to the girl he brought as his date. A different girl than the one that came with him to the last Friendsgiving. In fact, she’s a different girl to the one we saw a few weeks ago. While I will say they’ve all been nice enough, I can tell that they’re only stepping stones as he looks for the right girl. Reminds me of the beautiful man sitting beside me. I squeeze Dylan’s hand and meet his smiling eyes as Joel takes his turn in sharing what he’s thankful for.

“I’m thankful that everyone was happy to postpone our Friendsgiving catch-up for two weeks so we could work around notonebuttwohot shot footballer’s schedules,” Joel says and everyone at the table laughs as both Dylan and Thomas shrug in a “what can you do” manner.

Dylan was starting wide receiver in his first game three weeks ago and has started ever since. Though we’ve had our ups and downs and have both struggled with the distance between us, he knows he made the right decision to go pro. He loves his team; he’s found his calling. And despite missing the hell out of me and his family, the people sitting around this table, he’s happy. And I have plans to make him even happier.

Joel’s eyes find mine and I know instantly he’s up to something. I shake my head and silently pray that he’s not going to push Dylan too far today. In the beginning, the fact that I moved in with Joel, and into Dylan’s old room, put Dylan’s mind at ease when he moved away. If anyone was going to protect me as much as Dylan, it was Joel. These days he says he regrets it because Joel doesn’t make things easy on him, as I’m sure we’re about to witness. Deep down I know that he’s grateful his friend is there for me, keeping me safe,his words not mine,even if he does occasionally want to knee him in the balls.

“I’m also thankful for my beautiful hosting partner, Summer. We’ve been through so much, and living together the past year and a half has definitely strengthened our relationship,” Joel adds, staring at me, his eyes alight with mischief.And here it comes.“Summer, I love you, and I’m so thankful that, just today, you promised to never leave me.” He winks and I shake my head. He knows about my plan but poor Dylan has no idea.

“You should also be thankful that I haven’t kicked you in the nuts after that comment,” Dylan says under his breath, pulling a giggle from within me.

He turns his head slightly to look at me with a devilish grin, and I bite my lip to stop myself from attacking his mouth.

“Joel who?” Logan says, in a voice I can only assume is meant to be me, as he also adds, “I didn’t even realize I had a roommate with my mind always on my superstar boyfriend.”

I’ve never been so happy to have him sitting next to me, because it allows me to slap him in the chest before I turn my attention back to Joel. “I’m thankful for you too, Joely boy.”

Dylan rolls his eyes and then it’s his turn to give thanks. He thanks me and his friends—well, mostly me with an “and I guess I should be thankful for all of you too” at the end.

When we’ve finished with the formalities, and have all had way too much food, we make ourselves comfortable for a few games and a lot of alcohol.

After dominating Jenga for the past hour, I decide it’s time to tell Dylan my news. It’s been killing me to keep it a secret, and I can’t wait any longer. Linking my fingers through his, I pull him to his feet and walk him to the porch connected to our room. I sayourroom because in my head I didn’t take over Dylan’s room. I moved in with him and he just works away from home.

He looks so peaceful looking out at the stars. I’m not sure how he’s so relaxed when it’s freaking freezing out here, but he’s comfortable and loves this spot, so I let it be without comment.

“I have an early Christmas present for you,” I say, my eyes pinned in the same direction as Dylan.

He looks my way with a small smirk. “Oh yeah? Is this one of those situations where I should’ve had an early present for you too?”

I shake my head and laugh. “No, definitely not. This isn’t something I bought; it’s actually news.” His face pales slightly, flashing to my stomach, and I have to work hard to bite back my smile.He thinks I’m pregnant?I’d love to see how his mind got to that conclusion.

Dylan swallows and puts on a smile. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

He’s trying hard to act happy and excited rather than nervous and apprehensive, and he’s not quite succeeding. I know he wants kids and he wants them with me, but he wants us to live together first. To get engaged and then married. I’m definitely not ready to be a mom, either, but the order of things doesn’t bother me as much. Either way, I’mnotpregnant, but why not have some fun and mess with him a little.

“You might want to sit down,” I say before sitting down on the outdoor lounge and patting the spot beside me.

Dylan drops to the edge of the seat and stares straight ahead.Oops, I’ve really messed him up. I think he’s broken.

“Dylan, I—”

“Wait! Before you say anything, I need you to know that I love you more than anything, and I know you think I have plans in my head of how I want our future to be, but I would happily do life any way, in any order, as long as it’s with you.”

Gah! I love him so much. Now I feel bad.

“I’m not pregnant,” I state and raise an eyebrow.

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