Page 14 of Heal For Me

“I think so. But you will need to properly propose once she is awake. You can’t let her miss out on a proper proposal when she has missed out on so many proper things in her short life.”

Payson’s past upset Mum, like it should most people, but especially Mum who is more empathetic than anyone I know. She is also the best mum, and knowing Payson missed out on the privilege of having a proper mum, hurts her. I’m glad I’m able to not only give Payson myself but also a reliable family to call her own.

Taking the ring between my fingers, I hold it up, and emotions swirl inside. “I don’t know what to say, but I guess I don’t need to say much. You knew this day was coming.” I let a faint smile break through. “I doubt you will even be surprised when you wake up with an engagement ring on your finger.”

Taking her hand in mine, I straighten her ring finger enough that I’m able to slip the ring on with ease. I let Mum know her size, and thankfully, she was able to get it resized before coming here, so it fits like a glove.

“Perfect,” Mum says, her voice shaking.

She is. I cup Payson’s face and ever so gently press my lips to hers. They’re rougher than normal, but I soak them in anyway. I’d give anything to feel her kissing me back though.

When I take her hand again, her fingers twitch, and I freeze.

“Mum.”

“What?” She moves closer, probably hearing the urgency in my voice.

“She . . . she moved. Her fingers, when I grabbed them, they moved inside of my hand.”

I lay her hand in mine, and we watch and wait for it to happen again.

“Come on, Jailbird.”

The moment that nickname spills from my lips, they twitch again, and I know I’m not the only one who saw because Mum gasps.

The biggest, and probably goofiest, grin I’ve ever had pulls on my face. “I’ll never believe you when you say you hate that name again, Jailbird.”

Once again, her first two fingers move. Emotions flood me, and I don’t even care how big of a pussy I look right now. My girl moved. For the first time in weeks. I’ve finally gotten a reaction from her. Even if it was just fingers. Today, it’s fingers, tomorrow, I get to see her eyes.

I lay another rough kiss against her lips and pull away just enough to see her entire face.

“Open your eyes, babygirl. Our story is just beginning.”

Payson

Squeaky shoes fill the gymnasium as the players run from the locker rooms. The crowd roars with cheers, and my stomach flutters. Searching for him, I scan the gym, and a smile stretches across my face as I spot him. I feel thirteen smiling over a boy, but he’s not just any boy, or a boy at all, really, he’s a man. A tall athletic, hot man. Ash Pearson, number two on the Colorado Wildcats male volleyball team. The way his white and red jersey fits his lean body is mouthwatering. The first time I saw him, I got butterflies, and it’s no different to right now, even though it’s been years. There is a difference today—I’m eighteen. Finally legal, and the day I will approach him. It doesn’t matter he is twice my age, I know there is a connection between us. I don’t know how I know since we’ve not spoken, but I felt it that first day.

“He looks good,” Janelle says beside me.

I nod feverishly. “As always.”

“Alright, keep it in your pants.” She shoves me. “At least until after the game. Then go wild.”

I roll my eyes. I have no interest in losing my virginity—today. Might not say no if the meetup goes well, but I can’t think about it because if I do, I’ll panic, and I don’t want to be sweaty when I approach him.

He’s as amazing as I remember. Even better than watching him on TV. He’s up for serve this time. On the edge of my seat, my heart races watching him warm up for his infamous jump serve. No one in the league, hell, no one in the sport, serves like Ash Pearson.

“Let’s go two!” The gym isn’t quiet, but my voice carries enough for him to glance my way. He smiles, and I lose all ability to function. “Did he . . .”

“Shut the fuck up, he just smiled at you!”

I didn’t imagine it if Janelle saw it too. Ash tosses the ball and performs a perfect jump serve as always, but who cares, because Ash Pearson smiled at me!

“You are so losing your virginity tonight.”

I couldn’t focus the rest of the game. He didn’t look back up at me, but the excitement from when he did, never went away.

Even now, the game ended thirty minutes ago and my heart is still racing remembering his perfect smile flash in my direction. It could also be because nearly the entire team has come out of the locker room and I’m anxious there is another door he might have left out of and I missed him, but I’m trying not to think like that.

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