Page 48 of Savage Truth

“I realized that through all the miniwars we waged between us, I developed feelings for you.”

I held still, drowning in her warm brown eyes, afraid to hope that she returned even a fraction of how I felt about her.

“I love you, Cole.”

My vision tunneled. All I saw was her. “When we first met, you barreled into my life.”

She laughed. “Literally, both times.”

I grinned, happier than I’d ever been. “And every step of the way, you challenged me. I think I fell for you from the moment we collided. I love you, too, Riley.” Then I kissed her.

EPILOGUE

RILEY

Istood on the beach, back where it all began. Water lapped at my toes. I dug them into the sand, enjoying the kiss of frothy waves against my skin as they rearranged the shore in subtle ways.

A little over a year ago, last summer, I’d crashed a party down the beach, wanting to do something fun without an agenda. I laughed under my breath. Everything had changed once we moved into that house.

Cole had left an indelible impression on me that night. His over-the-top alpha attitude goaded me to push his buttons, and I’d never had more fun. Mom had been right. This town was different. We’d agreed that it was the first place that had felt like home to us.

Uncle Ronan came around every so often and got along with Lucas, which was unexpected. And Mom’s relationship with Lucas was solid. They planned to get married in the summer. It was late March, and Lucas had pushed for an immediate wedding, but Mom wanted to wait. She’d said it was enough that they lived together. In private, she told me that waiting was torture, but a lot had happened, and summer would come soon enough. She wanted the boys to be comfortable with the idea rather than rushing ahead.

By that point, I didn’t think they would care. Well, Damon might have. He hadn’t let go of hating his father. Cole was good, though. They’d had some big discussion when I was running for my life, and it had settled things enough for him to put their differences behind them.

I pulled the blue-and-purple beach towel out of my bag, careful not to launch the letter I had in there into the water. I spread the towel on the sand then sat, extending my legs and crossing them at the ankle. The bag was beside me, and a giddy excitement raced through me.

I’d texted Cole to meet me on the beach behind his house. I wanted to open the letter from Thane together. I glanced at my phone for the hundredth time. He’d texted that he was on his way ten minutes ago. I couldn’t wait.

“Hey.” He dropped onto the beach towel next to me, having moved as silently as he always did. He leaned in for a kiss and lingered.

When he pulled back and grinned, I couldn’t help from touching my lips with my fingertips. “That never gets old.”

Cole’s deep, throaty laughter sent a jolt of longing through me. I started to lean into him but then remembered why I’d wanted to meet. I twisted around and grabbed the envelope from my bag. “I have news.” I sank my teeth into my bottom lip, tapping my foot rapidly, nervous about what the envelope contained.

“From Thane?” Cole’s dark brows rose. “You know there’s nothing to be nervous about. You have straight As, and the coach already spilled about your scholarship.”

“Pending acceptance.” I frowned. “You never know… I’ve gone to a lot of schools… and I mean alot.”

He smirked, and I couldn’t help but think my uncle was rubbing off on him. “But they don’t know that. Your uncle fixed it so it looked like you only went to two high schools, finishing here at Hidden Valley.”

Everything he said made sense, but it was still huge. “I never thought I would go away to school. It’s always been me and Mom.”

“Why? Raelyn’s been talking about putting down roots and you going to college since you moved here last summer.”

He had a point. “Right. But I didn’t believe it. Not until a little while ago.” I slid my finger beneath the flap and eased the envelope open. When I withdrew the letter, the first thing I saw was the bold “Congratulations.” “I got in!” I didn’t bother to read the rest and launched myself into Cole’s arms.

He caught me like I knew he would.

When he released me so I could shift around and sit with my back to his chest, I held the letter, and we both read it. Academic and sports scholarships had combined to get me a full ride, including living in the dorm. I would have to pay for books, but that was the only added cost. Toward the bottom, there was a note saying that the athletic department would be contacting me soon with details about the preseason start and move-in dates.

“Have you spoken to your coach?” Thane had recruited Cole hard. He’d mentioned a few conversations and emails. I’d glanced at one he’d left open on his phone one day when he left his room—and me in his bed—to get us something to eat. We’d been hanging out after sex, talking, when an email came through. The coach had guaranteed him a starting position.

“After signing day?”

I laced my fingers with his. That had been an event too. Reporters had been there, along with the university coaches. Lucas was in the pictures, and there had been a small write-up in the paper about his stats and time at Thane. I had no idea it was such a big deal, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. Cole was treated like a god by both the community and his peers. When he went onto the field, the fans thundered in excitement. It was an experience.

“Once, but only to give me move-in details.”

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