Page 90 of Personal Foul
“That’s how it starts.” I smirk.
“Fuck! I shouldn’t have let you come.” Ben starts the engine and we start to head back toward home.
“For real though, good luck with her. I hope you get your words back and get a chance to use them.”
“Thanks, I think.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
Easton
To celebratethe end of the year and the fact that both Waylon and I were drafted, Liv is throwing a huge party at the girls’ house. By the time I get there, it’s already spilling out into the backyard, the music is loud, and the kegs are flowing. Wren’s actually gotten a night off for the evening, and I’m thankful because I need some time with her. Time alone away from this crowd. Because in a week I have to report to my new team in Ohio, and I don’t have much time left to convince her that we can make this work.
She grins at me when she sees me, setting her drink down and throwing her arms around my neck to kiss me. I press my lips to hers, loving every chance I get when her perfect body is pressed up against me like this.
“Now we can really celebrate.” She glances up at me with a look that would melt any wall I had left around my heart.
“Can we go upstairs for a few minutes?” I ask quietly.
She gives me a little wicked grin, assuming it’s because I want a quick fuck before I have to play party host. And here’s to hoping the reality isn’t too disappointing for her.
“Always.” She smiles.
I don’t correct her assumption because if she knew what I was really doing, I don’t know if she’d come up with me. Instead I just follow her up the stairs, and into her room, setting my bag on her bed when we get there.
“What’s in there?” She gives me a curious look.
“Some things we need to discuss.”
“That sounds ominous. I hope fun things…” She looks at me warily.
“Depends.” I give her a half smile. “I hope it’s good.”
“Okay… you’re making me a little nervous, though.” Her eyes flit over my face like she’s trying to find answers there.
I unzip the bag and pull out the large manila envelope inside, my fingers practically shaking as I hand it to her. I don’t get anxious very often. Even at important games I’m usually able to keep the rattling of my nerves to a minimum. But with her, it feels like everything that matters to me is on the line. I’m just hoping I did the right thing.
“What’s this?” She looks at the envelope, her brow furrowing.
“Open it.”
Her fingers fumble at the clasp but she manages to undo it and pulls the paperwork out. She stares at it for a long minute. An interminable amount of time while I wait for her reaction. Her brow furrows and she blinks. She pages through the paperwork. Looking down at the paper and up at me a few times before her eyes turn up slowly to meet mine.
“This is a copy of the deed to the bar. Purchase documents.”
“Yes.”
“How do you have these?”
“I bought the building with my signing bonus. Or part of it anyway. And it’s yours if you want it.”
“You what?” She blinks rapidly and I can see the tears forming in her eyes.
“Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Please don’t be mad at me. I just… I know how much it means to you and your Gramps. I know you were ready to do what had to be done, but I wanted you to have the choice. You can still sell if you want, but this way you have more time to decide what you want to do. How you want to do it.”
“You bought the building for me? Why? Why would you do that?”
“Because I fucking love you, Princess, and it’s something I could do for you. To give you choices. You deserve to make your own choices instead of always being pushed in one direction or the other by what’s happening around you. I want to see you make things happen the wayyouwant them. If I can help with that, then I’m going to.”
