Page 101 of Keep Me Never
I nod and he nods back, his hand finding my back as he presses a kiss to my head.
“Bye, sweetheart,” he says softly, his voice carrying a hint of something unknown.
Together, Chase and I walk back to his truck. He opens the door for me, and I slide in, my gaze out the window as I look over the course once more. The manicured greens, the shining cars, the life I could easily step into.
His hand grabs mine and my eyes fall to where we’re touching, my chest expanding at the warmth behind it. I look over at Chase and his smile is…wow.
Can a man’s smile be blinding?
“Ready?” he asks.
My throat grows thick with unexpected emotions, but I nod. Somehow, his lips tip up even higher.
Chase kisses my knuckles and then off we go.
Tomorrow, Chase is going to show those scouts how hard he’s worked and his future is going to be set.
Please let there be room for me in it, too…
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Chase
I’ve been riding on a natural high all week—hell, for the last few weeks—ever since the much-needed R & R over Halloween weekend. I woke up with nothing but this overwhelming sense of determination and excitement, and it carried all through the afternoon.
Me and the boys went for a jog and stopped for lunch on the way home. Our walk-through with the team went flawlessly. I went and picked up Paige, and we met Payton at her place so she could head to work, and we loaded little D up for a trip to the park so Mase could drive Ari somewhere in town.
The day ended with everyone going over to Mason’s. He made chicken and veggies and these green smoothies to set us up right for tomorrow’s game.
But it’s a little after eight now. The girls ran back to their dorms to get their bags, having decided to stay here tonight and get ready for tomorrow’s game together, and I’m starting to lose it.
Every time I look at the clock, which happens to be every three and half minutes even though it feels like thirty, a little more panic sets in.
Doubt clouds my mind, but I force it away.
I can’t let those thoughts in or they’ll drown me.
I can fucking do this.
I will do this.
But what if I can’t?
Shit!
I push to my feet and start pacing.
The guys are in the kitchen, and I make a split-second decision to leave.
I can’t be where they’ll see the mess I really am.
I need… I don’t know what I need.
I sneak outside, wincing when I close the door a little harder than necessary, and spin, my legs carrying me away as fast as they can.
Down the narrow cement path, across the parking lot, and onto the grass.
This is too fucking much.
