Page 5 of Remember Me

“Oh, Iplanto,” he murmured, palm cupping my ass. “But first, we need to get dried off, dressed, and out that door before I say fuck the Super Bowl and take you against the bathroom tiles.”

I tugged at the fabric of the jersey, glaring at the mirror, unsure how to feel. It was custom made to fit me, so I should like it... right? Then why did I feel like the way it stopped mid-thigh only emphasized the point where my stretch marks started?

Devin let out a low grumble from the bed while he rolled his socks on. His gaze trailed over the back of the jersey where ‘Walker’ was embroidered. “I love this,” he said. “Whoever thought custom fitting my jersey to make a dress for my wife deserves a raise.” He bit his bottom lip as he stood and made his way toward me.

His hands wrapped around my waist, and he kissed my temple. “Well, you’ll be thanking Bella McCallister, then.”

The mention of her last name made him freeze. “Bella? As in the wife ofDrewMcCallister? The enemy?”

I rolled my eyes before looking at my playfully disgruntled husband in the mirror. “He wasn’t the enemy last month when we had him and his family over for dinner. The girls really looked up to Ari.”

Devin’s hands slipped up under the hem of my dress, lifting it to the point that you could see my stretch marks and underwear. I thought I’d feel a little self-conscious by the move, but it seemed okay when my husband looked at me like he couldn’t get enough.

“They did, but today he’s the enemy, and you wearing his wife’s creations almost feels like a betrayal, or a bad omen,” he joked.

“Oh, please.” I bumped him with my butt and moved away from the mirror, heading toward the dresser to put my jewelry on. “Bella McCallister makes jersey dresses for everyone. It’s her job. She’s not out here trying to sabotage you with fashion. She’s trying to build a business.”

He shook his head and pointed to me. “Fine, but win or lose, promise me you’ll wear it tonight when we get back?”

“We’ll see. You might be exhausted by then, old man.” I followed him to the bed and sat on his lap, enjoying his company for just a second.

Clearing my throat, I slid my hands up his chest, pressing lightly. “So... are you looking forward to seeing everyone tonight?”

Devin snorted, pulling back just enough to look at me. “The only person I’m likely to see is Tanner since he’ll be on the field with me. Everyone else will be in the box with you.”

I blew out a slow breath at the reminder as his fingers grazed over the smooth fabric of my dress.

His eyes sharpened, reading me too easily. “You nervous?”

I nodded, chewing my lip. “A little. We’re seven years out of college, all on different tracks and I come with an entourage now. It’s never just me anymore. It’s the kids, your mom, your sister, anyone to help with the chaos that follows me.”

Devin’s gaze softened as his fingers brushed the side of my neck. “That’s the beauty of a true friendship. It isn’t about fitting into a single chapter of someone’s life, it’s about walking with them through every season. Watching someone grow, change, and still choosing to be friends. That’s a privilege few friendships are given.”

A smile tugged at my lips as I thought about it. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. We didn’t even know Aster and Tanner in college, and now we hang out with them daily. They’re so good with the kids too. Especially Cole.” I was full-blown smiling now. “He can’t stop talking about Aster like she’s his girlfriend.”

Devin snorted. “Well, Tanner better watch his back. Cole’s gonna be twenty-one before he ever works up the nerve to propose.”

I slapped my husband playfully on the chest. “Stop it. You know they’re it for each other. They don’t need rings to prove it.”

Devin nodded, his lips twitching like he knew something I didn’t. “We’ll see.” Then his expression shifted, his eyes deepening. “You know what else I’m looking forward to?”

I raised a brow, waiting for his response as his fingers tightened on my waist and he smiled. “Seeing this dress on the floor after I’ve won the Super Bowl.”

I rolled my eyes but laughed, shaking my head. “You really don’t let up, do you?”

He leaned in, brushing his lips against my temple. “Not when it comes to you, darlin’. Never have. Never will”

And just like that, some of the tension eased from my shoulders, because no matter how big today was, how overwhelming everything felt, in the end, I hadthis.

Him and the wonderful world we’d built together.

Chapter Two

Adam

Devin:Looking forward to seeing you guys this evening. Reign says to tell Autumn the girls can’t wait to see her.

I took a deep breath as I read the message from my best friend again. It’s only been a few months since I saw him and his ‘legacy project’ as I liked to call his five kids in the span of 3 years. Honestly, it was no wonder he had to buy that farm just outside Charlotte to accommodate them all.

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