Page 37 of Her Second Chance

He chuckles. “Doll, I’m going to do anything you want tonight.”

I bite my lip and grin. “I’m going to hold you to that.” Tonight’s the night I give him everything.

The ease I always feel around Brock settles over me as we walk to the athletic dorm. Despite our dramatic goodbye the last time we were together, he acts like nothing happened. Instead, he asks me about my art and tells me about his last football practice.

“I’m nervous about Saturday,” he admits. “What if last week was a fluke, and I can’t live up to the hype? I’m worried my dream will end before it truly begins.”

I reach over and squeeze his forearm. “Don’t be. You’re one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.”

He scoffs. “You say that like it’s true.”

I frown. “It is true. Brock, the entire world is taking notice of you. Pretty soon, it will be your number on all the jerseys the kids wear on Saturdays. You’re freaking Brock Martin.”

He closes his eyes, resting his forehead on mine. “No one has ever believed in me the way you do.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I keep silent. Believing in him is the easiest thing I’ve done since waking up in my past.

Luckily, Zeke jogs up from behind us, stopping me from having to find the words to articulate what Brock means to me. “Hannah, my girl. Are you coming to eat dinner with me?”

I laugh when Brock pulls away from me and gut punches him.

“Hands off my girl, Washington.” Although I know Brock’s teasing, there’s an underlying warning in his tone. I’m his, and it’s something I relish. His claim on me feels safe, unlike when Jason did it. I wish I could be Brock’s forever.

Zeke holds up his hands in surrender. “My bad.” He winks at me. “Looks like you’ve got our boy tied in knots. Little Brockie’s in love.”

My cheeks heat. I know that’s probably not true, but Brock didn’t deny it, so maybe. . . I shake my head. I can’t let my thoughts go there. I may be willing to give into my feelings for Brock, but I’m not about to let him break my heart when he leaves me in the dust for his supermodel and professional football career. And I’m damn sure not holding him back the way Hunter did me.

Like last time, Brock shows me to a table and then goes to get our food. Only this time, it’s a table for two. I look around, noting there aren’t many other girls around. The insinuation of what that means warms my chest. At the very least, I’m important to him.

I can’t keep the grin off my face when I see Brock exit the line, balancing a tray in each hand. He moves with a fluid grace only athletes possess as he dodges tables and other players. Brock Martin is beautiful.

“Madam.” He places my tray in front of me and his across the table.

“Thank you, kind sir.” I grin, winking.

He smiles back, then turns serious. “I’m glad you came tonight. I hated the way we left things last time.”

“I was afraid you hated me,” I admit. “I didn’t know you still wanted me to come until I saw you outside the dorm.”

“Hannah, I want you forever. I’ve tried, but I can only be so patient. I know you think that other guy is special, but you and I are soulmates. There is no me without you.”

“How do you know?” How can he be so certain?

“I’ve always known.” He acts like we’ve been together forever instead of just meeting a few weeks ago.

“But why me?” I bite my lip, trying to keep from blurting something stupid that’ll stop him from wanting me.

He reaches across the table and pulls my lip from between my teeth with a gentle tug. “We’re written in the stars, you and me.”

“I’m scared.”

“That’s how you know I’m right.” He picks up his fork, popping a huge bite of salad into his mouth as if he didn’t just completely upend my world.

I watch as he shoves a big bite of steak into his mouth next. He catches me watching him and winks. My cheeks heat, so I look down at my plate. Every fiber of my being knows he’s right, but in the corner of my mind, there’s a nagging thought. One that tells me I’m missing something important.

But what could that be?

Chapter 17

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