Page 58 of Flame After the Fumble

“That’s a shame because it ruined me for a while,” I let out for the first time. We’ve never discussed that night in detail, and itfeels good to get my feelings off my chest. “I’m better now. No thanks to you, but to myself.”

He rolls his eyes, once again not hearing my words fully. “We had it good. I miss you.”

“Sure.”

“We were never anything, me and that girl. She was a random hookup. You, on the other hand, are the love of my life.”

“Funny way to treat the love of your life.” He’s unbelievable and hasn’t changed a bit.

“Don’t you think it’s time to move back to New Orleans? You had your fun and got it out of your system. Move in with me, and when I get called up to the MLB, you can follow me.”

“This isn’t a phase, Layne, this is my life.” Standing straighter than I was before, I walk into him, bumping into his solid chest causing him to back up a few inches. “I love it here, and I couldn’t think of anything more repulsive than being your girlfriend again.”

From my left side, a hand wraps around my shoulder and spins me to face him.Him. That touch sends thousands of magnetic shocks through my system and warms my belly in the best way. “Goldie,” he breathes out, kissing my cheek with his signature goofy smile, but with a hint of tension behind it that only I could notice. “What did I miss?” For a split second, I forget we’re in a muggy college bar with hundreds of random people swirling around us. I forget my toxic ex is standing inches away from my current boyfriend, asking me to move in with him. All of my worries melt away, and it’s just the two of us.

“Absolutely nothing,” I say back with the confidence I’ve grown into here with Hartley and my friends. “Can we go, please?”

“Whatever you want.” His hands move to my hips with a little squeeze. He laces his sweaty fingers in between mine, but before we get too far, Hartley turns around and says, “Oh, Layne, is it?”

Layne’s eyes are filled with fury because he can’t have or control me. Not anymore. “Yeah.”

“Don’t even think about making a move on my girl again. Got it?” Before Layne’s rebuttal, Hartley guides us out the bar to wait outside for the rideshare. Once we’re in the car, I finally have the words to speak on the bizarre night.

“Thank you.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. Let’s not give him another breath, okay?” He squeezes my hand and rubs his rough thumb back and forth across my skin. His jaw is still firmly set in a tense position, indicating that he’s reeling from seeing my ex.

“Hart,” I breathe out, gripping his hand a little tighter, but he doesn’t look my way. He still stares out the window, stuck inside his own head. “Hartley, look at me.”

He jolts from his view of our college town back to me in the dimly lit rideshare. “Are you okay?” He searches my eyes for any indication of pain or worry, but he finds none.

“Yes,” I continue in an attempt to free him from whatever barriers he’s hiding behind. “The real question is, are you?”

“I will be.”

We pull up to his apartment and he guides me out the car on his side. The darkness of night caves in around us and light drizzle of midnight rain hit my charged skin. The random rideshare driver leaves without a word and my feet feel like bricks planted on the damp cement. Hartley clamps his hand over mine and lightly tugs to usher me up the stairs, but my body refuses to move. His head darts back as he takes his hat off and runs his fingers through his long blonde hair.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Snapping you out of your trance.” My hands grip his broad shoulders and gently massages into his tense muscles. The rain drips from the ends of my hair as it mats to my forehead. Myshoes squish with water as I shift my weight back and forth never removing my eyes off of his. “He means nothing.”

“I. . .” His eyes fill with passion and a million emotions swirling around at once. “He hurt you.” He pulls me closer, now flush against his wet chest. “I wasn’t there to protect you. You looked. . .” inhaling a deep breath, he shakes his head and continues, “scared.” His voice breaks in pain all geared to me, standing in front of him.

“He can’t hurt me anymore, Hart,” I whisper. “I handled him.”

“I should have been there to protect you,” he snaps.

My hand moves to his soaked hair. My fingers run through the front of it all the way through the tips by the base of his ear. “You’ve done more for me these past few months thananyonehas ever done.” My fingers trace his lips wiping droplets of water off with each pull. “Itrustyou. I didn’t think I would ever trust another man again.”

His mouth opens to respond, but before he can, I cut in to say what’s been on my heart for weeks, “And I love you so much it hurts.” Before I know it, his lips crash into mine as he grips the base of my neck and runs his hand up to the back of my head. This kiss is unlike any I’ve experienced with him. It’s hungry, passionate, and all encompassing. It’s like he can’t get enough. I can’t, either. I never will.

He pulls away, only inches, and cups my chin tenderly. “I’ve loved you for a long time, Goldie.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whisper.

“You needed time.” He bites gently on my lower lip, his eyes are just slits as he takes in the moment. “I needed you to come to me.”

“I don’t think there was ever a time where I could resist falling into you. Even when I fought it.”

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