Page 107 of Fault Line

He leans back, grinning wide. “Knew you could never resist me.”

“Beck . . .”

“Yes?” he prompts, his voice soft and tender.

“You have anything else you want to say to me?”

“I love you, too, baby,” he says, pulling at a strand of my hair. “And I really fucking like you, just as much as I love you. Always have, and always will.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Oh, and Karras?”

“Yeah?”

“You think you’d want to be my girlfriend now?”

As I pull away from him, shocked laughter spills free. After all this time together—all the hours we’ve spent confessing our feelings, our fears, and our hopes for the future—we’re well past the stage of defining the relationship.

“You know what, Becker? Ask me again when it’s not an afterthought.”

EPILOGUE

HOLDEN

I’m backon campus today, walking through Navy Square, eager and ready to attend my girlfriend’s guest lecture. I didn’t imagine that I’d be back at Coastal so soon after graduation, but Kaia was invited here by her favorite professor, and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Thankfully, it aligned with a break in the hockey season because there’s not a chance in hell that I’d miss this.

The campus is bustling with students, and it feels surreal to be walking amongst them as an alum. So much has changed, yet being here today feels a lot like coming home.

I stroll through the courtyard, lost in thought, reminiscing about the days when Kaia and I were just starting to navigate our relationship, wondering what the future held for us.

The past two years have been a whirlwind, filled with ups and downs, but through it all, our love has only grown stronger. We’ve both been pursuing our passions relentlessly, with me continuing my professional hockey career and Kaia excelling in her studies.

The distance between us has been challenging at times, especially when I’m on the road, but we’ve remained committed to making our relationship work, no matter what obstacles we face.

As I enter Weyerhaeuser and make my way into the lecture hall, I take a seat near the front, wanting to have the best possible view of the podium.

The minutes tick by, and anticipation builds inside of me. It feels like the first day of freshman year all over again, and I’m about to lay eyes on the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.

When Kaia finally walks to the front of the room, I’m brimming with pride. She appears poised and confident, her hazel eyes shining with excitement. I can tell she’s eager to share her knowledge and insights with the class, and I know she’ll captivate them all.

She begins her lecture, her voice clear and steady as she dives in. She’s discussing her research on brain signals associated with OCD, a topic she’s become increasingly passionate about over the years.

As I watch her speak, I’m reminded of the countless late-night conversations we’ve had—hours spent discussing her aspirations, her dreams, her unwavering determination to make a difference in the world. It’s inspiring to see her standing up there now, bringing her vision to life, and I couldn’t be happier for her.

Throughout her lecture, Kaia remains articulate and self-assured, her passion for the subject shining through in every word she speaks. The students seem interested, listening intently, and I’m in awe of her ability to command the room.

It’s sexy, empowering, and it makes me even more excited about my plans for tonight.

As she reaches the conclusion of her talk, she receives a short and sweet round of applause. I’m so fucking proud of her that I give a standing ovation, clapping enthusiastically as she beams at the crowd.

After the lecture officially ends, Kaia cozies up with Dr. Khatri and a select group of students, eager to discuss her work further and ask questions. I watch from a distance, allowing her to bask in the well-deserved attention.

When the crowd finally disperses, I make my way over to her, wrapping her up in a warm embrace. “You were incredible, baby,” I say. “I knew you’d be amazing, but you surpassed my expectations a hundredfold.”

She smiles, her eyes shining with happiness. “Thanks for being here, Beck.”

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