Page 100 of Forever Yours

“Already am.”

“Damn you and the pornographic images I now have lodged in my brain.”

Julien chuckled as I collapsed to the soft grass and threw an arm over my hot face.

“Switch to video,” I wheezed.

Seconds later, I was looking at the most handsome man in the world.

“Morning, Angel.”

I held up a finger for him to wait. I had never run so fast in my life, and though I was in better shape than I’d ever been, making it to the hilltop in time to watch the sunrise with him almost killed me.

“I miss you,” he said, and I uncovered my eyes to look at him.

Julien and his team left yesterday afternoon to go to Virginia ahead of today’s game. I’d be flying out after my last class for Charleston.

“I miss you more. Hated waking up this morning without you.”

He sighed and sat back in bed, looking rumpled and mouth-watering.

“That Elijah?” someone in the background asked.

Griffin’s red head popped into view next to Julien’s. He was the goalie for the team and a really nice guy.

“Hey, man. Why are you all sweaty?”

I held up my middle finger. “I just ran five miles.”

“Heard you were heading off to South Carolina for fall break. You and Julien need to hit up Myrtle Beach. Better than Daytona.”

“I wish. Going for my mom’s wedding. I’d rather be in Myrtle.”

Every time I thought about her upcoming nuptials, I second-guessed my decision to go. I had called and texted her a few times, and it was only the other day that she finally called back. Our conversation was stilted and awkward as hell and mostly about how wonderful Brad was and how beautiful the wedding was going to be. And the money. Brad’s money. How much the wedding dress cost. How big her diamond engagement ring was. The grandeur of his stupid historic house. The freaking yacht they were having the reception on. I hadn’t met the man, and I already couldn’t stand him.

Griffin waved bye, and I heard him say to Julien, “Going to take a shower. Coach wants us downstairs for breakfast in thirty.”

An arc of light broke the skyline.

“Hey, it’s starting.”

I sat up and flipped my camera view so Julien could see it. It was our thing now to watch the sunrise together.

“That never gets old,” Julien said when the bright yellow ball peeked out from its hiding place, beginning the new day in a big and spectacular way.

No, it wouldn’t.

The first rays hit me, warming my cheeks, and I closed my eyes for a moment, soaking them in.

“Just think. Someday, we’ll be sitting on our porch at our house watching that every morning.”

I loved that. I loved the future we were planning together.

Julien and I were in a really good place now. Our relationship more cohesive. He romanced the fuck out of me every day. Love notes, flowers, dances, dates. He even made me a playlist to listen to on the plane. But most importantly, Julien showed me every day that I came first.

Jayson hadn’t picked up a drink in weeks and was acting like himself—the Jay he used to be. Ryder seemed more contented, not as depressed, and spent a lot of time with Fallon or out at the racetrack.

Me? I was happier than I’d been in a long time. Things were clicking into place. After working with athletes, I’d discussed the idea with Mr. Winters about majoring in sports medicine and getting my Bachelor of Science in that field. CU had an excellent program, and Mr. Winters said he would help me with the required research study I had to do to fulfill three of the graduation credits.

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