Page 44 of One Spicy Summer

"Where did my Ry Ry go, huh?" she whispers, her voice the softest thing I’ve ever heard. I grip her waist, grounding myself in her, my jaw unclenching as I stare into her warm, waiting eyes. "There he is," she smiles, standing on her toes to kiss me, her lips barely brushing mine.

A low moan slips from me, helpless, raw.

"I love how your voice can always pull me back," I breathe, pressing my forehead against hers. "When it feels like I’m trapped deep inside myself."

"I’ll always pull you out, Ry," she promises, threading her arms around my neck. "I’m your lifeline. And you're mine."

She leans back a little, studying me. "How are you feeling about life after graduation?"

I sigh, the weight of everything heavy between us.

"Presley, I know I’m supposed to go off to New York for college, but I just don’t think I can leave you."

Her face hardens, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. "No, that wasn’t the plan, Ry!" she snaps, her voice rising. "We agreed you’d go, and I’d meet you there next year."

Every part of her, her posture, her eyes, the tremble in her hands, screams betrayal.

And she’s right.

I’m fucking up the plan.

Truth is, I don’t want to be anywhere she’s not.If it means staying here, attending some community college, and dragging their tragic football team into greatness, I will.

For her.

"I know what we said, but you know how I feel about you," I say carefully.

"I do," she says, her voice breaking, "but that’s no reason to blow up everything we talked about." She drops her arms, her whole body sagging. "I love you more than life itself, Ry. We’re strong enough to make it work. It’s just one year. You need to do what’s best for the future. That’s living your life."

"I don’t want to just 'make it work.'" I pause.

Confusion and hurt flicker across her face as she steps back. "So... what are you saying? You want to break up?" she whispers, barely audible.

I close the space between us, wrapping my arms around her, pressing my head against her stomach.

"No, baby. Breaking up is the last thing I want. I need to be with you, to exist with you. To make that happen, I’ll stay right here."

"But Iwantyou to go," she insists, her voice trembling. "I don’t want to be the reason you regret not doing all the things you should have."

"What aboutyourparents? You think they’re gonna let you stay here with me? They’ve mapped out your whole life." She argues.

"I’m eighteen. They don’t control me anymore."

"Oh yeah? And how do you figure that? You don’t have money. Where would you live if you stayed? Your father would cut you off." She lifts her chin, defiant.

"I could get a job. I could start at the bottom of an architecture firm.” I laugh, the irony is not lost on me. Architecture, my old passion before football swallowed me whole.

"I vaguely remember your love for it," she teases, smiling down at me, even though I know she knows exactly how much it once meant. "You could study architecture in college," she argues, her voice softer but desperate. "We could still go together."

I shake my head. "I don’t want to argue with you, Presley.” She shoves at my shoulders, breaking free from my hold. "Where are you going?" I ask, watching her retreat.

"Away," she mutters. "I need time to think."

"Presley, we’re not done talking!" I shout, chasing after her.I catch the sweet scent of her perfume and follow it downstairs, straight into trouble.

"Baby, " I start, but then a voice cuts through the air like a blade.

"Baby?" Rafe's voice, sharp and disbelieving. “Are you calling my little sister,baby?” He steps into view, his fists clenching at his sides. Presley slips behind me, giving me a clear shot at Rafe. We’re eye-level, but I’ve got a little more muscle. A little more edge. If he wants to throw down, we can.

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