Page 115 of Bad Crush
I continue on with the story, telling them how the doctor talked me through the entire process, taking extra time to make sure a kid my age understood every single thing. I gloss over some of that this time I tell the story because this audience doesn’t care about how fascinated I was with the process or how it made me want to be a doctor. But the procedure for setting a broken arm wasn’t all I learned that day.
Reagan smiles. Her body language relaxes with every word pushing me to continue.
“It’s just one of many times I was awed by the impact one person could have on my life. There’s a study out there that estimates the average person meets ten thousand people in their lifetime.Ten thousand. Yet, the ones we remember, the ones who change the very core of who we are is a much smaller number.”
“I’ve been lucky. So many people have touched my life. Most of them in a good way. Family who guided me to be a better man, friends who make me crazy but that always have my back.”
There’s a “Hell yeah!” from the back that I think comes from Maverick.
“Professors who have helped prepare me for the future, peers who push me to work harder in school, so they don’t make me look bad, and a girlfriend that reminds me every single day what real bravery looks like. I will be a good doctor not because I want to change the world but because I want to make a positive impact on every single person I meet. I want to take their pain or confusion and ease it, help them get back to what’s important—living life.
“I always thought that nothing could be more important than that—helping other people.” I shake my head. “And I don’t want to trivialize what it means to heal someone. I long held on to the doctor who fixed my arm as my ultimate hero. I thought it was his skills as a medical professional that I admired, but it wasn’t—it was the hope he instilled. He made me feel like everything was still possible. Like the world was at my feet, if I was just brave enough to get back out there and try.
“A scared kid afraid of never playing his favorite sport isn’t high on the list of traumatic events, but it didn’t matter to him. He treated me like nothing was more important. His affection and compassion changed my life. A million other doctors could have healed my arm, but if it had been anyone else, I might not be standing up here.
“I think the way that we impact people, wherever we stumble upon them, is far more profound than whatever we choose to do. Doctor, hockey player, actress, they’re empty titles that come alive with the people who claim them.
“I just started seeing this girl.” I meet Reagan’s eyes. “A talented, beautiful actress. She couldn’t fix a broken arm or do anything that she’d think is heroic, but she is the single bravest person I know. The core of who she is reminds me a lot of that doctor from long ago. She inspires me every day to pay it forward. Ten thousand people, but none of them have made me feel like her.” I lock my gaze on hers. “I love you, Reagan. I have fallen in love with you. Ten thousand people, but I just want you.”
I step away from the microphone. The place booms with applause and cheers. I almost forgot we had an audience. That prick of nerves is back, and I start to sweat at the nape of my neck.
She comes to me, smiling, tears in her eyes. I’m fresh out of words, so I kiss her instead. I don’t know if I believe there’s one right person for everyone, but I believe in her.
“That was a pretty good speech,” she says, pulling back and staring up into my eyes. “Did you mean it?”
“Every word. I’m not going anywhere. No matter what.”
“Even the ones you left out? There was that whole section where you compared love to school. The importance of choosing the right one and working hard. I liked that analogy.”
“How do you…”
“Janine showed me.” She lifts her hand. Her fingers are curled around her phone. “I was just about to text you.”
“Yeah?”
“The speech I had prepared wasn’t nearly as good as yours, though, so I’m glad you went first.”
“Still want to hear it.”
“You stole the show and my line. I love you too, Adam. You’re worth risk.We’reworth it.”
I chuckle and wrap my arms around her waist. Feels so good to be near her again. My lips are millimeters from hers when Rhett comes out of nowhere and hugs us around the neck.
“That was epic,” he says. “So much better than those weak-ass pep talks you give us.”
“Saved the good stuff for her,” I say.
I hold on to Reagan as the rest of our friends join us.
“You’re back together?” Ginny asks, voice about five pitches higher than normal.
“Yes,” Reagan answers for us and leans up on her toes to kiss me.Fucking finally.“I should warn you, though. I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you. You’re not getting rid of me now.”
I swear my heart fucking leaps for joy. Like I’d ever try.
34
Reagan
