Page 135 of Heart of Thorns

Like Thorne being successful as a quarterback in the NFL, and me, a commissioned painter for businesses all over the world.

I’ve been in countless magazines, and my travels are becoming more frequent.

I hate missing Thorne’s games—something I never thought I’d hear myself say—but it’s good for the soul to have something that’s my own.

After rushing off the plane and through the airport, I spot Marley’s car.

Lydia climbs out of the passenger seat and wraps me in a hug.

“Lydia!” I fold my arms around her waist. “What are you doing here?”

She lives three states away and has a baby on the way.

“I came to surprise you! Plus, Jack got front-row tickets thanks to Thorne, so he was very much willing to accompany me.”

I laugh and throw my things in the trunk. I make her sit in the front and slip into the back.

“Hey, babe.” Marley smiles at me in the rearview.

She navigates traffic as I tell my two best friends all about my time in New York to complete my most recent mural.

We get to the stadium with six minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter.

I change into one of Thorne’s jerseys, something that makes him entirely too happy, and we find Larry—the security guard who knows me well enough to let us through without question.

Lydia waddles over to Jack and gives him a kiss. He leans forward and raises his eyebrows at me. “Thorne was good in college, but this is next level.”

He redirects his attention to the field.

Lydia rolls her eyes playfully. “You’ve had too much to drink.”

“Baby, I’m drinking for both of us.”

Marley and I both laugh, but I’m quickly swept up in the excitement of the game.

When Thorne heads off the field to let special teams take over, hopefully getting the field goal to secure their win, I shout his name.

“Cassius!”

Rhys, who scored a hefty contract to play alongside his best friend, hears me and pivots with a ready smile. He waves and then nudges Thorne.

It doesn’t take long for him to find me in my rightful spot. He quickly scans the sideline, gaze landing on his coach, and then takes off toward me.

The crowd is roaring from the field goal when Thorne jumps toward the front row. His hands grip the metal barrier, and he hoists himself closer to me.

“You made it.”

I wink and plop a kiss to his lips. “Go before you get in trouble.”

This is exactly the position we were in when I accepted his proposition. When I showed up to his practice all those years ago… My cheeks heat. If not for that moment,thismoment wouldn’t exist.

He scoffs. “I’ve played a good game, I’m not getting in trouble.”

I flatten my lips. “Remember last time?”

He grins. “That was totally worth it. But fine, meet me on the field after the game.”

“Always.”