Page 67 of An Uphill Battle

He crouches down beside me, reaching out to scratch the little pug behind the ears. “No, Little Bit,yougot adog.”

I let his words sink in, and I’m sure I look comical, my eyes wide and my mouth a perfect “O.” “Drake, he’s perfect! But, you know I can’t have pets at myapartment!”

“Well...” Drake drawls, rotating the puppy’s red collar around so that I can see the key dangling from it. “This little guy and I were hoping you’d... move in herewithus?”

My eyes dart from the key, to Drake, and back, my eyes glistening with tears and emotion welling in my throat. “R–really? You meanthat?”

Drake nods, clasping my face in his hands. “Really, I mean that. It would mean the absolute world to me to wake up next to you every morning, and hell, I already have all your shit in myshower.”

I nod, letting my tears fall. “Yes! And this is perfect timing—my lease is up nextmonth!”

Drake smiles at me. “I know. I love you, Azalea, so damnmuch.”

“I love you too, Drake. More than you’ll ever freakingknow.”

He rocks back from his crouched position to sitting flat on his ass before pulling me onto his lap. “Only one thing left to do,” he whispers against myhair.

“What?”

“Name that littleguy.”

“Boudreaux,” I tell him, hoping he’ll likeit.

He thinks on it for a minute. “Boudreaux itis.”

* * *

DRAKE

Azaleaand I have been living together for about a month now, and I fucking love it. There’s nothing better than falling asleep next to her each night and waking to her wrapped around me every morning. It’s a dream come true—one I almostlost.

One I’m more than thankful for. One I won’t ever take forgranted.

Don’t get me wrong, though. We still fight like cats and dogs, only now I know our fights will end in epic make-up sex instead of heartbreak. And lemme tell you what, make-up sex with Azalea Barnes is damn-nearNirvana.

The guys are constantly asking me when I’m gonna “put a ring on it,” but I just shrug them off because we’re in no rush. We’re taking it day by day and loving every minute of it. Plus, we both know that’s where we’ll end up one day. Even got the ring tucked away in the top of the closet, well out of Little Bit’s reach, and shortly after I ask and she says “Yes,” we’ll get to work starting a little family of ourown.

But until then, we’ll enjoy the good thing we’ve got going. Getting here was an uphill battle, but having Azalea’s love is damn sure worth thefight.

THEEND

BONUSCONTENT

DRAKE

“You gettin’ready to do all that sissy-shit?” Simon laughs into thephone.

“By sissy-shit you mean planning Myla Rose’s baby shower? Then, yeah, I’m ready. I’d do anything for that girl. You would too, so quitplayin’.”

“Truth. For real though, you gonna be okay with that little spitfire all byyourself?”

“I know just how to handle Azalea, don’t you worry,” I tellhim.

“That’s exactly why I’m worried, D.” His words say one thing, but his tone says another. He sounds whollyamused.

My next thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my doorbell chiming. “Shit, she’s here. Talklater.”

“If I don’t hear from you in twenty-four hours, I’m calling thecops.”

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