Page 67 of Unrivaled Love
“I drove around campus for three hours trying to find you. I was terrified.”
A small ironic laugh chuckles out of me, “I know. I actually sat on your back porch and saw you driving around.”
“And then you cut me out of your life?”
“Yeah, it was my first lesson in not making time for people who don’t believe in you.”
“Jo, fuck!” Bryson yells as he stands. “Are you kidding me?” His hands grip his hair and it’s like he’s using his muscles to restrain himself from exploding. He’s angry.
He’sangry?
I was the one hurt. I was the one left feeling like my best friend had never believed in me. I was the one who had just opened herself up to the only boy she’d ever loved only to hear him trash her to his roommate.
Sleeping with him was such a mistake.
“You’re angry? Fuck that.” I stand and head to the patio door. I’ll walk to town myself. “This was a mistake.”
“Tommy was an idiot.” I slow my steps as he speaks. “I remember that conversation because I was riding such a high from being with you. Josie, that was the best night of my life until it became the worst.” I can’t face him. I stand with my hand on the door handle. In the reflection I can see his body relax as he continues. Years of pain accompany his words and I feel my heart pounding in my ears. I had no idea he was suffering “I was inthe middle of drinking water when he made the nickname comment and I punched him in the stomach. When he stood up again he changed the subject.
“And when he said unbelievable I agreed because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening for you. I knew the scouting reports. I knew where you were headed in your career. And I knew exactly how hard you had worked to get there.
“Yeah it’s taken time because Molly and Madison stayed on longer than people had expected but you’re getting your chance now and you’re fucking brilliant out there.”
“What?” I ask the plate glass window.
“Jo, I watch every game. I have seen every interview, every social media post. I subscribe to three different PSL podcasts for fuck’s sake.” I glance up and don’t see him in the glass anymore. I suck in a surprised breath when I feel him standing behind me. “I have hundreds of unsent texts in my notes app.”
“What?” I whisper.
“You never responded so after a few years I put them there instead of sending them to you.”
“What?” I wish my brain could process this and give me more than one word to say. But each word out of Bryson’s mouth challenges the story I’ve had in my head for years. He’s not touching me but I can feel his presence behind me. Ready to catch me. Finally, I string more than one syllable together, “I thought you moved on.”
“Moved on? Ha. I didn’t save myself for you if that’s what you mean, but no, I’m your biggest fan whether you’re talking to me or not.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” He laughs and then he pulls me to his chest. “You think anyone else compares to you? You’re every dream I could ever fathom. Josie, you’re it for me, you’ve always been my girl.”
He seals his words with a kiss to my neck and my head spins.
This is not how I envisioned this conversation going. Over the years I yelled at my mirror to practice confronting him. It was going to be loud and dirty and a lot of curse words and insults from me. Instead I’ve said “what” three times and he’s staying calm and expressing himself maturely.
The one part of the argument I could never imagine was what Bryson would say. Because he was my best friend. We’d known each other our entire lives. And I could never figure out what he’d say to justify hurting me.
I guess the answer is he didn’t.
I turn in his arms and hug him, nuzzling my head into his neck. “I’m sorry, Bryson.”
“It’s okay Jo, I forgive you.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and then presses his chin there, keeping me close. “I would never hurt you, Jo. Not on purpose. And I hope I never accidentally do it again either. I’m human so I probably will but please don’t shut me out again Jo. You’ve always been mine and you’re in my arms again and I can’t let go.”
I shudder a breath. We stay like that as the sun moves across the sky. We hold each other as the shadows shift and lengthen and eventually he lifts my chin and presses our lips together in a kiss that grounds me to the here and now, with so many promises of what’s to come.
Chapter 21
Bryson
Tent Pitching Time
