Page 162 of Keep Me Never
“You forget what tomorrow is?”
She tips her head and then her eyes widen, and she jumps up.
“Oh crap!” She stumbles, her limbs still loose, but catches herself, sliding her sports bra back over her breasts as she runs over to the desk, pulling her purse and keys from the drawer. She runs back, literally jumping over me in her hurry to the door. “I’m late to meet the girls!”
“What—”
“See you at home!”
My mouth opens, but then she’s gone and I drop my head back, laughing into the air.
And then I look down, only now realizing my dick is still out.
I shake my head, a smile pulling at my lips.
God, I love that fucking girl.
It’s an unusually quiet afternoon, with only the sound of the waveslapping against the shore and the occasional rustling of the guys around the house. I just got off work a little over an hour ago, and I would have just taken the day off, but it just wasn’t possible. I did rush straight back though, and I jumped right into the shower, determined not to be the reason why we run late if that happens. There is no way that would happen, though. Not today.
Water is still dripping from my hair as I throw on a fresh shirt, and the second I pull the door open, Brady’s feet are stomping down the hall. He peeks his head in with a grin, but he only smacks my shoulder and takes off again.
A little chuckle leaves me, and I shake my head, moving into my room to slip into my shoes, belt in hand as I step into the living room.
The guys are buzzing with energy, rushing around, Noah and Mason especially, frantic looks on their faces, like they can’t remember what they came in here to do, but they know there was a purpose behind it. I smirk to myself, looping the thick leather through the holes, and as I do, I find myself slowing down, absorbing the calm before the storm of the night.
This place, the beach house, has become a refuge for me. Well, it’s always been for all of us, really, but for me, right now, it’s my saving grace, a place to live that gives me peace and doesn’t cost money, allowing me to save what I’m making. I’ve become a bit obsessed with saving, but I mean, there are worse things to be obsessed with.
Things are good. No, better than good. They’re…right.
Mason and Brady were both drafted in April, to different teams, but that’s no matter. They’re officially in the NFL and while I might have gotten emotional when they got the calls that night, it has nothing to do with me. I was simply happy for my friends, my brothers.
My girl is here,home, having graduated alongside my best friends in May, and moved in here with me the moment she did. Like on draft day, I thought I would feel some sense of loss when I sat in the stands to watch them walk the stage that day, that Imight regress into my own mental bullshit, but I found that all I felt was gratitude. It was a nice surprise.
Being the one designated to hang on to little D didn’t hurt either. Nothing can make you smile like that kid can.
The point is, I no longer have a suffocating sense of failure. I understand now that those things weren’t a result of my own shortcomings.
I gave my all and things didn’t pan out, but that’s okay. That’slife. The important thing is to remember what matters, and with Paige at my side, I find it’s a lot easier than I thought it would be: letting go of the past and looking forward to what the future brings, even if it will be a bit different than I thought it would be.
That’s not to say it isn’t hard, some days worse than others, but everything just feels a little calmer now. I’ve learned how to process better and I’ve opened up that part of me to my girl, so when I need to talk, she’s there. Always there.
Besides, nothing is ever truly over unless you stop working toward it, and I have no plans to do that. There are different roads to take that allow me to still be a part of the things I love and I’m taking them.
Mase comes around the corner once again, one arm in his jacket, the other sliding along the back to his neck, and I chuckle. I grip the back, holding it out so he can slide his arm in, patting his back as he turns.
He scoffs but sighs. “Thanks, man. This is wild.” He grins, picking up his keys and tossing them in the air before spinning around.
“It is, but if I don’t get you guys in the car soon, it’s going to be bad.”
Brady comes in then, a smile on his face. “Dude, Noah’s been in the car for like ten minutes.”
The three of us start laughing, Mase tosses me my jacket, and we head out the door, piling into Mason’s SUV.
Sure enough, Noah is already inside, sitting in the back seat with his hands folded, knees bouncing as he stares ahead.
Mason pulls from the drive and we’re on the road, Noah following the path all the way.
“You good?” I tease.
