Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Basha takes two passes out of her fanny pack and hands them to the person at the gate. “When did you do all of this?” I ask her.
“Like I said, it was all Alex. He’s been pretty distraught since you left and asked me to help.”
“Help with what exactly?”
“Nothing too much. The Pioneers just happened to be in town while we are here. Don’t look deep into it. Alex got us tickets.”
“And sent a limo, with gear. There’s more going on here.”
Basha says nothing as we make our way to our seats. As luck would have it, we’re right on the railing, behind the team. I know these seats must’ve cost Alex a fortune because they’re definitely not the seats most of the wives and girlfriends sit in. She pauses when we get to our row and motions for me to go in. My mouth drops open when I see who’s sitting in there.
“Surely, we must have the wrong seats.”
“Nope,” Basha says. “However, I’m under strict orders that I have to sit on the end.”
“Fuck my life,” I mutter under my breath to her. As if my legs are made gelatin, I take one wobbly step after another until a certain set of eyes looks up at me. And then he smiles, and everything in me just turns to mush.
“Hey, Kelsey.”
Holy fuck Liam Page remembers my name.
“Uh . . . h-hi.”
“Hey, Kelsey.” Harrison James taps me on the shoulder. He waves, as does his partner, who’s holding a toddler in her lap. And then next to her, is the rest of their family.
“This can’t be my life right now.”
Next to Liam, his wife leans forward and waves. “Noah told us you work in books.”
I nod because forming a coherent sentence right now is impossible.
“Great, maybe after the game you can give me some recommendations.”
Again, another nod.
Basha pushes me into my seat, but I’m only there for a moment when Alex approaches the wall. He beckons me to him, and I go, showing security my pass when I get to the bottom of the stairs. Alex is there, on the other side of the gate, looking at me with such anticipation and love.
As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, he pulls me to him. The hug is awkward and bulky because of his pads, but I don’t care. It feels good being near him. I should pull away, but I don’t want to. Not anymore. I’m tired of fighting what my heart desires. It’s him. We have a lot of unresolved conflicts, but we’ll figure it out. One way or the other.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m having an out of body experience right now.”
He chuckles and kisses the top of my head.
I step back and look everywhere but at Alex. He tips my chin, forcing me to look at him. I expect him to say something, but instead he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. Over the noise level, I hear Basha cheer us on. I pull away and hide my face in his jersey.
Alex turns his back so the people in the stadium can’t see us. “I love you, Kels. Tell me what I have to do for a second chance?”
“There isn’t anything you need to do except we need to talk. I don’t like that you kept the hook-up from me, But I’m yours, Alex. I’m here.”
He scoops me up and twirls me around. “Thank fuck. I’ve been miserable without you, and I promise to never ever let my stupidity come between us again.”
“Me too,” I tell him honestly. “I’ve hated being away from you and only being able to see you on television. But this situation with Maggie—”
Alex smiles brightly and refuses to let me down. “There’s no situation,” he interrupts me. “The baby isn’t mine. And you’ll never know how sorry I am for not coming clean about her earlier visit. I’m sorry I hurt you in that way.”
I don’t know how to measure relief, but I’m flooded with it. I probably shouldn’t be happy, but I am. So fucking happy.
Alex finally puts me down, even though I’d be content staying in his arms. “I don’t know what to say,” I tell him. “Are you sad?”
“She’s not the one I want to start a family with.”
“No?”
He shakes his head. “You are, when we’re ready.”
“Me?” I ask, dumbfounded.
“Of course,” he says. He steps forward and cups my cheek and then leans down. “This is a conversation for another day, Kels. But I, for one, can’t wait to start practicing again.”
My body shivers, and he kisses my cheek. “Go sit with the band, honey. They’re expecting you. I’ll see you after the game.”
“I love you, Alex. Kick some ass today!”
“Anything for you.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
ALEX
From an outsider’s point of view, Kelsey and I kissed and made up. The truth is relationships are hard work. This is something I’ve learned from dating Kelsey to the situation with Maggie, to getting back together with Kels. I used to take everything with an easy come, easy go attitude. But that attitude is what got me into trouble with Kelsey. My lifestyle isn’t easy to take, and I thrust her into it, thinking she was like Maggie. I forgot Maggie was new to the attention and used to get nervous on dates, just the same as Kelsey is now. It was wrong of me to think I had the ebb and flow mastered.