Page 120 of Play the Last Card
“You love me more than football?” I ask. I hold back my smile, because I know it’s his job, and I am going to work through my issues, and I did decide to call a truce with that world but it’s still nice to hear that I get to win.
“I love you more than football.” He smirks at me, lips hovering inches away.
I lean toward him, closing the gap and falling into him. I kiss him, pouring how much I missed him the last few weeks into the kiss. I sink my hands into his hair and wrap my legs around his waist until he falls back on the bed and I’m straddling him. His tongue fights with mine and his arms circle me, pulling me against him so tightly that there’s no space left between us.
When I pull back for air, I whisper against his lips.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ivy
“So, how’s therapy going?”I almost choke on the soda I’ve just taken a sip of. Katie is staring at me, her serious expression unchanging.
“Oh.” I clear my throat quickly. “It’s good. Great, actually. Early days but she’s really nice.”
Katie just nods, like it’s exactly what she expected to hear from me. I cock my head, a small smile playing on my lips.
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. It also happens to be Scott’s thirtieth birthday. So we’re having our friends over to watch the game. A few players from the team, Flynn of course, and Katie are all here. Grant is not, surprisingly. I haven’t been able to question Katie about his absence because every time I do, she asks me something else to change the subject.
This time, it is my therapy session.
I have been seeing Dr. Karla for a month now and it’s the best decision I ever made.
Well second best.
“I’m working through everything. It’s a slow process and I cry a lot—”
“A given with you,” Katie interrupts, smirking.
“Shut up.” I hit her arm lightly, taking another sip of my soda. I stare at my friend for a moment, questions about Grant on the tip of my tongue but I decide to hold them back. She will tell me when she’s ready.
“But it’s good. I’m feeling … calmer. About everything.” Katie only nods in response and goes back to arranging the crackers along the edge of the cheese board she’s preparing.
My sessions have been overwhelming for the most part. I’m exhausted after every one and my eyes are always red and puffy. But when I get home, I walk straight into Scott’s waiting arms and I remember exactly why it’s a good idea to go. Not just for him, but for me and the future I know that I want.
The point is I’m finally working through the endless pit of grief I haven’t been able to get rid of since I was old enough to know what grief is. Finally working through my parents’ death and coming to terms with Pops’. I miss them the more I talk about them out loud—opposed to keeping them to myself like I used too—but I also don’t.
It’s weird.
Like now that I talk about them more, now that I am starting to accept that they’re gone in a healthy way, I feel more connected to them than I ever have.
Scott is nothing but supportive. With the season over, he spends his days at the gym and doing odd jobs around the house.
He’s moved in. Officially. That happened not long after Pops’ memorial. He didn’t sleep at his place anyway so it made the most sense. I came home after my first day of leaving him home alone after he moved his stuff in to find a to-do list sitting on the kitchen counter.
Fix the back deck.
Hinges on the shed door.
Retile downstairs bathroom.
Paint the office.
Paint the main bedroom and redo the bathroom.
Hang Matty’s jersey.