Page 35 of Retaking the Shot
For a few moments we didn’t say anything, while the radio just played in the background, but then as I said “Ford, look—,” Ford said, “I know?—”
“You go,” I urged.
“No, you.”
What I wanted to say wouldn’t matter if he didn’t feel the same, so he needed to say whatever it was he wanted to say. “No, please go.”
“All right.” He paused. “I know I pushed you away this time, and I let my own demons get the best of me. It wasn’t about you; it was about me not wanting to drag you into my mess.”
I stole a quick glance at him. His eyes were fixed on the dashboard, avoiding my gaze. The vulnerability in his voice echoed the pain I had seen in his eyes back at Chrome.
“But I was already involved. I wanted to help you.”
“I know, but I was embarrassed. I was also scared that if I let you in again, I’d end up hurting you more than I already have. But seeing you tonight, you driving me to Hartford when I had nowhere else to turn, it’s all making me realize how much I need you.”
My heart pounded in my chest as the words sank in slowly. I pulled over to the side of the road, not trusting myself to havethisconversation while driving.
“I never stopped loving you, Ford,” I admitted, my voice raw with honesty, as I turned slightly toward him. “But I understand we both had things to work through.”
He met my stare. “I know. I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching, and I want to do better, for myself and for us.”
“For us?” I whispered.
He nodded slowly. “Maybe we can start over. Take it slow, figure things out together.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “I’d like that. I’ve missed us.”
He reached across the console, his hand finding mine. “Me too. More than you can imagine.”
I leaned further in and cupped his cheek with my free hand. As I ran my thumb across his skin, my gaze flicked to his lips and then his eyes.
“I want to kiss you,” I said. They were the same words he’d said to me in the parking lot of the Thirsty Cow the night we met.
“Okay.” He smiled.
I closed the distance between us, and my lips brushed against his. A rush of warmth flooded my entire being at the initial contact. The heaviness of the past, the pain, and the distance between us melted away in that single moment. I deepened the kiss, while my fingers gently traced the contours of his cheek. When we pulled back, our foreheads rested against each other, and I could feel his warm breath against my skin.
“I missed this,” I whispered.
“Me too.”
As I pulled onto the interstate again, I heard the song on the radio and smiled. Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want from Me” drifted through the speakers and I had to chuckle to myself because it was perfect for us. I was certain neither of us would give up on the other.
As we reached the outskirts of town, Ford got a text from his mom saying they were at the hospital with his grandpa, who was about to have emergency bypass surgery. I drove straight to the hospital and pulled my truck up to the main entrance.
“Do you want me to go in with you?” I asked.
“No. Don’t you need to head back?”
“I don’t need to be back until the afternoon for the game.” After I’d dropped Kaylee off at her place, I’d texted Butcher that I had a family emergency and was heading to Hartford. I told him to let Coach know that I’d miss morning skate, but would be there for the game.
“Okay, but I still think it’s best if I go in alone.”
“I understand. Maybe we can meet for brunch or something before I head back?”
“Maybe. I need to figure out what’s going on with my grandpa.”
“Okay. Just let me know.”
