Gavin pulled me in for a kiss. Although the wound of my parents was once again fresh, in a way, I felt free of the memories that haunted me. This kiss was refreshing. I had been drowning for so long I didn’t realize what it was like to take a breath of fresh air. Gavin did that. He was my fresh air. He steadied and calmed me. He made all the decisions that led us to this point not hurt.
“I know, Gav. I’ve always had you…and you have me.”
At that, he gave me a sad smile.
“I kind of ruined your victory party,” I attempted to joke to take my mind off things.
“Baby, you could never ruin anything. Besides, everyone went home to get some rest, but I’m sure they’ll be back later. Everyone is worried about you.”
“And you. Your friends care about you,” I told him.
He didn’t deny it. He just kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Scar.”
I was about to answer him, but he cut me off.
“The draft is in the future for me. I know it’s fucking selfish, but I need to know we’re solid. I need to know that no matter all the changes, I still have you in my life.”
I closed my eyes. I was still in shock, and I felt so heartbroken, but if one thing was clear, it was that I wasn’t drowning when Gavin was near. My therapist still wanted me to keep seeing her, and I agreed. Weirdly, I felt…closure. I’d been depressed, on my own, and when I got help the first time it had worked, but then I wasn’t sure what I was getting support for—now I did. Gavin was right. I couldn’t let Gigi win. Three tears fell when I opened my eyes and blinked.
One was for my dad, who’d died on impact.
The second was for my mom, who’d begged for me to be saved.
The third was for the life I was determined to live no matter how much pain it brought me. No matter how much pain it brought me to think of all the moments that impacted my life to get me to the point I was today.
“One kiss,” I started to say, and Gavin tensed. “And you’ve ruined me for everyone else.”
Epilogue
Three Years Later
The plane landed on time, and like the rest of my teammates, I was ready to get the fuck out and get home to my wife. It’d barely been a year, but it still made me smile when I called her my wife.
After homecoming and all the crazy shit that went down, I was scared I was going to have to be away from my girl for a little while, but as painful as the truth was, it helped her get closure. God, was I proud of my wife for working so hard and getting up again. On draft day, she was right there with my parents, and I was a nervous wreck because she hadn’t mentioned anything about moving with me. I knew she loved me, that we were solid, but that didn’t translate to her moving with me. I didn’t push her; as much as I wanted to, I just let her make up her mind. I got third pick in the draft to Colorado. She didn’t mention anything then, just that she was proud of me. I was patient and enjoyed our celebrations.
On graduation day, we both graduated with business degrees, and amidst all that chaos of people hooting and shouting, she informed me she was moving in with me. Since then, it was mostly happy days.
Except when she came back home with me for Christmas. It was hard for her, but like everything else she did, she took it in stride. A few months later, when Jordan’s family was on vacation, I took her to the lake and asked her to marry me.
Once I was in my car, I took a calming breath and drove home, glad we didn’t get delayed by any press. Things with my team were going phenomenally. I didn’t want to jinx it, but it looked like we were heading to playoffs. The change to Denver was good for us. A change of scenery in a new city brought us closer. Word got out about what went down at the homecoming party, and it made us somewhat famous. People had love for not only me but for Scarlett. My girl was loved.
When I made it to our gated community, I grew anxious. I wanted to see my wife already. One thing that Scarlett had not gotten used to was the money. At first, we fought a lot on all the things I paid for, and, well, fighting led to a lot of pissed-off sex until she saw she could keep losing or do something with it—which she did. She helped fund a wellness center that catered to teens battling depression and addiction.
I was so damn proud of her. She told me she was going to make her parents proud, and I told her she already had.
When I opened the door to my house, Chuck, our Rottweiler, came running at me.
“Hey, boy.” I scratched behind his ear. “How’s Mama? Is she still sick?”
The dog barked at me, and I took that as a yes. I left my stuff in the living room, which would drive Scar crazy. When I made it to our bedroom, I heard ESPN playing in the background. My wife rarely missed my games. She was my biggest cheerleader, my number one fan. She kept me grounded in this crazy world. I walked up to the door and leaned against the doorframe and looked at my wife, who was lying in bed wearing my jersey and sucking on an ice pop.
“You had outstanding stats, babe; I still think that last play was bullshit.” She turned, offering me a smile.
Her knowledge of football was sexy. Having her brother as head coach to our alma mater and her husband a pro player did her good.
“Yeah?” I pulled away from the door, walked up to the bed, and sat next to her. “Were you yelling at the referees again?”
She glared at me.
I reached my hand out to cup her cheek. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she looked tired.
“How are you holding up?”
“Better, I think. According to Google, I should be over it.”
I snickered at her. “Google lies. We been over this.”
“Shut up.” She swatted my chest. “Give me a hug.”
I didn’t need to be told twice to be embraced by her.
“You missed me?” I asked, reaching for her lips.
“Mmmhmm,” she replied, leaning up to kiss me.
I opened up to her, my lips moving against hers in a synchronized rhythm we had developed over the years. Her lips were cold from the ice, and she tasted like cherry. When she was fully under me, I let my hand roam up her shapely thighs.
“No panties?” I pulled away from her lips and smirked at her.
“You looked really hot playing,” she whispered, and fuck me, my dick jumped up at the lust in her voice.
“Oh yeah?” I said, my voice coming hoarse. “Did it turn you on?”
“Why don’t you find out?” she challenged.
I groaned when my fingers met the wetness between her legs.
“You drive me, crazy, baby.” I kissed her neck.
“You are my safe place. I love you, Gav.” She leaned in to kiss my cheek.
I removed my fingers from her wet pussy, letting my hand roam up her body before it froze. Scarlett bit her lip and smiled at me. I sat up, bringing her with me, and then I removed my shirt from her body.
My mouth parted open at the sight in front of me. Every time I thought I’d never seen Scarlett looking more beautiful than ever, she proved me wrong. She sat in kneeling position, her naked body gloriously displayed, but now there was a bump in her midsection.
“When did this happen?” I asked with awe in my voice as my hand came to her pregnant belly.
Scar shrugged. “I woke up, and then it was just there.”