Page 49 of Pucking Forbidden

“She’s waiting for you to message her,” he says quietly. “She wants to talk.”

“What if…?”

“What if what?”

“She hates me,” I whisper.

“She doesn’t hate you. She doesn’t blame you.” He curves his hand around my jaw, tipping my head back against his shoulder. “Trust me, princess.”

I stare up at him for a long moment, too damn scared to breathe. But I do trust him. I trust him more than I trust anyone. No one else has ever put me first the way he does. No one else cares for me the way he does. I’m the center of his world. I wish like hell that I’d known it when I was eighteen. Things would have been so different.

But we can’t go back now. And maybe…well, maybe I don’t want to go back. Maybe we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be right now, loving each other the way we’re supposed to. What Jamison did will never be okay, but Ihaveto believe things worked out the way they did for a reason. I won’t survive it if I don’t.

My hands shake as I tap the screen to power it on. An instant message screen is front and center, with Vanessa’s name at the top.

“What do I say?” I whisper, stressing out.

“I’d start with hi,” he suggests, a teasing smile in his voice.

Me: Hi.

Vanessa: Sutton? Is that you?

Me: Yes.

Me: I’m so sorry, Vanessa. I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t know.

Jordan’s arms tighten around me as if he intends to hold me together while she types her response.

Vanessa: I know.

Vanessa: I’m sorry I cut you off like I did. It was never about you.

Vanessa: I just couldn’t keep lying to you about what was going on. It seemed easier just to shut down completely than to admit what he did.

Me: Are you okay?

Vanessa: I wasn’t for a while, but I’m good now.

Vanessa: I’m getting married! My brothers are pissed, lol.

I smile, just imagining her grin as she types the words. She always loved driving her brothers nuts. They used to annoy the hell out of her. The fact that they also play professional sports is part of what bonded us when we were put together in my freshman year. We both understood what it was like to have famous older brothers.

Me: Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.

Vanessa: Are you and Jordan FINALLY together?

I peek over my shoulder at him when he chuckles.

“She knew how I felt,” I whisper.

“Clearly,” he says.

Me: Yes.

Vanessa: YES! It’s about time.

I giggle, unable to stop the sound. God, I missed her so much. We talk for several more minutes, just catching up, before Jordan murmurs that we need to go.

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