Page 119 of Play the Last Card
Where was he playing next year?
What happens if it’s not here?
Do I have to just follow him around as a football girlfriend? Do I want that?
Yes. Maybe. Who knows.
What about the paparazzi? What do we do about them following me home?
Even if I get the help and work through my issues with football, and my dad, and my past, what if I still can’t stand being a part of his world? What happens to us then?
I am so far in love with this man that I want so badly to move past the anxiety and the fear and make a plan—a new plan—with him but what if it’s too hard? What if he decides it’s all too much to be with me?
“Ivy.” His voice jolts me from my thoughts. I feel like I want to cry again.
“I have … there are things we need to talk about. To go through.” I take a deep breath.
“What kind of things?”
“Well … where are you playing next year?” I ask. Anxiety turns over and over inside me and my eyes itch and I blink a few times, desperately trying to get rid of the feeling.
“Here.” Scott sounds so certain but surprisefloods me.
“You signed a new contract?”
“No.” He shakes his head, lifting a hand to tuck the stray piece of hair behind my ear. “But I will. If you want to be here, then I’ll play here.”
“And if Uncle Jeff can’t offer you anything?”
“Ivy.” He invades my space, coming so close that I think he might kiss me. I won’t be mad if he does. I miss kissing him. Touching him. Being with him. His green eyes darken, swirling with the gold flecks that give them so much depth it’s as if I’m starting straight into his soul.
“I love football, but I love you more.”
Relief. Pure and utter relief floods me. Like a river breaking a damn, my eyes well with tears, and my body hums, and the waves crash over me. It runs through my veins, warming me and raising goosebumps all over my body.
Scott doesn’t look away. He doesn’t back up. He just stares at me as I stare at him.
“You love me?” I whisper.
“More than anything.”
“Even when I’m being unreasonable, and stubborn, and letting my fears get the better of me.”
“I can handle it. I want to handle it.” He drops his lips to mine in a gentle kiss. “You have changed it all for me. You’reitfor me. If Coach can’t find me a deal, although I'm pretty sure he will, then I’ll take a break until I get one. Or I’ll go play for a team nearby. Or we can talk about what happens if I do get offered something else further away. But the point is that whatever happens now I want to make the plan with you. Only with you.Alwayswith you.”
Hot, wet tears run down my cheeks so fast I don’t bother trying to catch them.
“Please don’t cry, baby.”
“I’m overwhelmed,” I sob and it’s so ridiculous that I begin to laugh. I choke out a laugh through the never-ending tears that just keep coming.Weeks and weeks’ worth of tears. “I haven’t been able to cry since they called me about Pops.”
“You haven’t?” He swipes his thumb across my cheek and I sniff. Shutting my eyes, I take a steadying breath. “But you love crying.”
I laugh again. God, this man.
“I know.” I breathe deeply through my nose and exhale, opening my eyes. The endless green is waiting and I sink into it. Sink into him. “You love me?”
“I love you,” he confirms, his hands cupping my head. His fingers curl into my hair and I relax into his touch.