Page 61 of Pucking Knox
"You hurt me." Her voice cracks. "And I hate you for it."
"I know."
"And now you've probably ruined your combine scores."
"Worth it."
She pulls back to study my face. "It’s not. You need to get back in there."
"I faced him." The words come easier now. "My dad. Told him I'm done being scared of becoming him. Done letting his demons control my future."
"You did?"
"And then I saw you with Harvey."
"Nothing happened."
"I know." I brush away a tear on her cheek. "But watching you with him – someone good and safe and uncomplicated – it made me realize something."
"What?"
"That I'd rather lose the draft than lose you." The truth feels like freedom. "Rather risk everything than watch you be happy with someone else. Rather be real and messy and yours than without you."
Fresh tears spill. "You're such an idiot."
"I know."
"Could have realized this before I cried for a week straight."
"I know."
"You have to earn back my trust."
"I know." I press my forehead to hers. "Give me the chance? Please?"
She's quiet for a long moment. Then: "The combine..."
"Doesn't matter."
"But your future."
"Is standing right here." I cup her face in my hands.
"I can’t let you throw it away."
She kisses me then – soft and sweet and full of promise.
"Knox!" Wilson's voice carries across the parking lot. "Get your ass back in there. Still have three tests left."
Kennedy pulls back, laughing. "Go. Show them what you can do now that you're not carrying all that weight."
"Come with me?"
"Always." She wipes her eyes.
We walk back into the arena hand in hand. Scouts whisper. Cameras flash. My father's latest threat sits unanswered on my phone.
None of it matters.
