Page 123 of Forever Cursed

“Since when?”

“Since that bet we made in my bedroom. Remember?”

“We never made a bet,” I say with a smile.

“It was an implied bet. I told you that you two would end up together. Look at you now.”

Rome pulls me into his chest, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

“Make him pay, he’ll be making the big bucks soon.” I direct Ash toward Rome, who only smiles in response.

“If he’s paying up, he owes me buckets of that damn yogurt!” Max cuts in, and we all laugh.

“Who knew being in this family was so damn expensive,” Rome remarks with an amused expression.

“I’ll chip in as well. Now that I know what I want to do after I graduate.”

“You made a decision?” Rome asks while looking down at me.

“I have, and I have you to thank for it.”

I always wanted to help people, but I didn’t know who or where I would do that. After working with Rome, I know for certain that I don’t want to work with football players. My direction in life is leading me elsewhere.

“I’m going to work with teenagers and young adults. Those with self-image issues. I can relate to them, and I think I can make a positive impact.”

Rome cups my face and rests his forehead against mine. With a loving smile, he says, “No matter where you go, your light will shine. You make a positive impact everywhere you go. Never forget that, Wildflower.”

Without another thought, I kiss him, pouring my love and passion for him into my touch. He picks me up and spins me around. I chuckle, and we both smile against one another’s lips. The confetti stops raining down onto the field, but the snow doesn’t stop.

Rome and I hold each other’s gaze, and as if the universe wanted to prove me wrong again, Rome asks me something that leaves me speechless.

“After we graduate, and if I get drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, will you come with me? You, me, and Korra. Maybe the others will follow. We’ll be closer to our parents, and we’ll be together. What do you think?”

Butterflies swirl in my stomach. If I was trying to play it cool, well, let’s just say there’s a reason I don’t play poker.

“Seriously?” I ask with the biggest smile I’ve ever had spread across my face.

“Yes—”

“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” I kiss him repeatedly, laughing when I feel his own smile against my lips.

I don’t know where the future will take us. The others may not follow, but I know we won’t drift apart. One thing is for sure, though, Rome and I will be together.

In the end, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Zack

One Week After The Game

I tend to find myself in places where there are unique cats. For example, Pickles nearly chewed my finger off in the cat café, and now he lives at the Waylens’ house. We tolerate one another. He no longer barrels toward me when I walk through their front door, which is a plus.

Korra is different; she’s super affectionate. Rome and Ash are playing video games, and I’m patiently waiting to play against the winner. The second I sat down, Rome’s cat jumped next to me and cuddled on my lap. I wouldn’t say I’m a cat person, but she just won my heart.

“Dinner will be ready in five!” Gwen calls from the kitchen.

The aroma of her famous homemade baked ziti wafts through Rome’s apartment, and my stomach growls in response.

“Zack, can you do me a favor?” my sister asks from the kitchen.

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