Austin loves me.
And I know it’s true. It’s clear in the way he looks at me, with such tenderness and adoration. I don’t know how I missed it before when it’s so obvious now. I’m full to bursting with happiness, and when he smiles, I want to pepper his dimple with kisses.
But we have an audience, and I doubt they’re here for the PDA.
I look around at the smiling faces of our friends—our teammates—and my heart swells with pride. And not just because they have mad skills when it comes to glittery posters (although they do). I never expected to be a real part of this team, but the fact that they’re here is proof I’m one of them. Proof that everything I thought I knew about football players was wrong.
Sure, our comradery is different than what I shared with the women on the soccer team, but it’s no less precious to me. And I’m so grateful I have the opportunity to be part of such a close-knit team. I’ve learned a lot this season, about football, about life, even about myself.
I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
“Put the man out of his misery,” Coop says, giving me a playful wink. “Hasn’t he suffered enough?”
He’s right. Austin’s made himself vulnerable. With his father, the team, and with me. I love him all the more for it, and I owe him the same in return.
My heart thunders in my chest as I turn back to Austin, taking his hands in mine. I can see the tension in his shoulders, but if we’re going to wipe the slate clean, I need to get this off my chest. “I owe you an apology too. I shouldn’t have walked away the other day.” I take a steadying breath. “But it was easier to lash out than admit that all this time, from the first day we met on the soccer field, I’ve been projecting all the hurt and disappointment of my childhood onto you. It was easier to believe that given the chance, you’d hurt me just like my father did.”
Austin flinches, and I squeeze his hand.
“It was unfair of me to lay his mistakes at your feet in an attempt to protect myself. Especially when you’ve been nothing but supportive. You believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have a full scholarship or a place on the team. I wouldn’t have won first place today, because I wouldn’t have had Enzo to help me get Sparky ready in time. And if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have tried to reconnect with my dad.” He starts to protest, but I raise a hand to silence him. I steal a quick glance at my mom. She’s smiling so I can’t be doing too terrible a job with my apology. It’s not exactly sparkly signs, but it’s the best I’ve got. “Just because it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, doesn’t make the lesson any less valuable. You’ve shown me it’s okay to be vulnerable and to take chances. And I love you for it.”
Austin’s breath hitches, and when I look into his eyes, I see myself reflected across a summer sky. I lay a hand over his heart. It beats a steady rhythm under my palm and it centers me.
“I love you for your sense of compassion and your need to protect the people you care about. I love you for your sense of humor and your desire to always do the right thing. I love the way you challenge me when I’m being stubborn, the way you hold me when we’re watching Riverdale, and the way you always kiss me good night. I love you for being you.”
We stare at each other for a beat. I’m not sure which of us moves first, maybe we move at the same time, but then our lips are crashing together, his mouth moving hungrily over mine as I press my body to his, trying to get closer to the man I love. Behind us, I hear the opening chords of “In Your Eyes” and I have a brief moment of validation—it was no coincidence that Austin held his sign over his head like a boom box after all—before I dismiss it and pour myself into the kiss.
The guys cheer and whistle, but Becca’s voice is loudest of them all as I claim my man, and when we finally break apart, I’m breathless.
Austin pulls me to his side, tucking me under his arm as he turns to the rest of the team. “Who knew you all were such romantics?” I tease.
“You ever need help with a completely over-the-top romantic gesture, Vaughn’s your man,” Parker says, slapping Vaughn on the back.
“Dude, I feel like your extensive knowledge of chick flicks is totally wasted. This shit is gold. It should get you laid every weekend,” Coop says with what I think is a touch of awe. “Even with the beard.”
“What’s wrong with his beard?” Becca asks, which sets off a whole new round of razzing.
Vaughn’s cheeks flush a deep shade of scarlet, and I’m pretty sure it’s only the presence of my mom that keeps him from responding.
“Hey, now. Don’t go giving Vaughn all the credit,” Austin says indignantly. “The signs were my idea.”
“Of course they were.” I grab his hand and pull him toward my mom. Might as well get the introductions out of the way now that she’s been subjected to our big sloppy makeup kiss. Speaking of making up…I am so having dirty, loud makeup sex with the man I love tonight. Just the thought has me squeezing my thighs together in anticipation.
I must be making horny eyes, because
