Page 68 of Forever

It twinkled again.

Miller had always been so understanding. So caring. He’d want all my scars to heal. He’d want me to be happy. I took a deep breath.

I don’t think my heart would ever heal from losing him. But I knew he wanted me to keep living. I pressed the tips of my fingers against the rings hanging against my chest.

It was always easier to take deep breaths when I touched those rings.

When Miller had proposed to me, I’d hesitated. But I’d said yes because it didn’t feel like a betrayal. I hadn’t broken any promises to Matt when I’d said yes. I’d promised Matt all my firsts. And Matt had technically still been my first fiancé.

But when I’d gotten pregnant with Jacob? That’s when I’d known it was time to make it official. And breaking one promise cascaded into breaking a whole lot more. Like a dam breaking. I’d married Miller right away. It was like Jacob had given us permission to embrace life. I felt guilty and hopeful at the same time. So freaking hopeful.

I let my hand slowly fall to my stomach.

The star twinkled again.

I inhaled sharply and looked down at my stomach.

I had felt this way before.

Protective.

Wanting to stay home.

Emotional.

Hopeful. Exactly what I was just recalling.Really freaking hopeful.

I spread my fingers out on my stomach. When was my last period?

Chapter 17

Saturday

Matt

I looked back up at Brooklyn in the stands. She was on her feet cheering like everyone around her. There were just a few seconds left on the clock and we’d demolished the other team. Normally, that would be enough to make me happy. But I was a hell of a lot happier now that I could look up in the stands and see the real Brooklyn instead of a ghost of the past.

Tanner had Jacob on his shoulders and they both looked almost as happy as Brooklyn did.Almost.It felt like a lifetime since I’d seen Brooklyn so…present in the moment.

“Nice game, Coach,” Kennedy said. And then she waved up to the stands at Felix. He was standing up there with Brooklyn too, and I was relieved that I didn’t feel jealous at all. The four of us really could be just friends. Finally.

“You too,” I said.

She laughed. “I don’t really do much now that Jefferson can kick. And I’m especially not helpful when I have a hangover.” She rubbed her forehead.

I hadn’t had much to drink at all at the party last night. And I wasn’t sure Brooklyn had anything to drink. Maybe that’s why she looked the happiest in the crowd.

“I’m glad you were able to get Brooklyn out of the house again,” said Kennedy. “I’ve been so worried.”

I thought about what she’d said to her father last night. “She just needed some time.”

“But everything’s okay now?”

I stared at her smiling. “Yeah, everything’s okay now.” Telling Jacob the news last night hadn’t exactly been smooth. I knew Brooklyn was still grieving. She’d gone outside for a bit after we’d told Jacob, but when she came back in, she was all smiles. We were ready to move forward. And I was okay with waiting to get married. As long as she was wearing my ring, we were good. And my old varsity jacket. I smiled up at her again. The jacket was way too big for her. But I’d never seen her look sexier.

The ref blew the whistle, signaling the end of the game.

“Victory is ours!” Nigel yelled. “We slayed the beasts!” He sprinted out onto the field.

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