“Lily taught me about hard work and determination. About how to let someone in—really in, enough to see the parts that aren’t perfect. Most of all, she’s taught me I can’t hide everything behind a smile.” I winced. “I do that. My frustrations, my insecurities, and the days I just don’t want to deal, I hide it all behind an easy smile. She calls it my QB grin.” I shot her a look, and she shook her head, a small, awestruck smile on her lips. “But the thing is, with her, I don’t need to be the carefree guy at the top of the world. When she looks at me, she doesn’t see football or expectations. She just sees me. Flawed and real, and, according to her anyway, a bit cocky.”
“More than a bit,” she called out, her raised voice playful, and as the crowd laughed, a second spotlight turned on, illuminating her pretty face. Tears were in her eyes, and I took a couple steps until I stood in front of her. Blocking the harsh glare of the lights.
“Red, there’s a million reasons why you deserve someone better than me,” I told her. “But I’m hoping none of them matter more than the fact that I’m in love with you.”
Lily’s mouth tumbled open, and a surge of murmurs and awws rose from the auditorium, along with telltale flashes of cell phones. A tear escaped, gliding down her smooth cheek, and I took her hand in mine.
“I love you,” I repeated, the relief of finally saying it almost leaving me weak. “I love how clumsy you are. I love how weird your outfits are and how you can’t carry a tune to save your life. I love how passionately loyal you are and how hard you make me laugh. You’re driven and focused, and you make me want to reach higher, do better. It kills me I ever made you doubt that.” Sliding my fingers through hers, I squeezed and said, “Lily, you once told me you were looking for where you belonged, but see, I already know where that is. It’s with me. Following me on the dance floor, but inevitably leading me everywhere else.”
Delighted laughter sprang from her lips. Like always, it sent my heart racing, and a sense of invincibility washed over me. Her eyes glided over my face in wonder, and as she released my hand to slide it up my chest, the whispers of witnesses and the creak of seats drifted away.
Her gaze locked on mine, and I saw the truth before she spoke it. “I’m in love with you, too.”
Lily’s soft whisper, amplified by the microphone, carried across the room, and the auditorium exploded in cheers. My hands trembled as I scooped her up and buried my face in her hair, breathing in her sweet, citrus scent.
A deep voice, sounding a hell of a lot like Aidan’s, shouted, “Kiss her, bro!” and Lily laughed, wrapping her arms around me.
The microphone slipped from my hand, and Ma’s amused voice rose above the applause. “Well, it is good they are performing a dance of love, yes?”
I groaned at the attempted segue, but Lily giggled, pulling back to smile at me. A rosy glow lit her cheeks, and with the love and happiness shining in her eyes, my world clicked back into place.
Ma smiled indulgently. “Are you ready now?” she asked, and I glanced at my girl.
A confident grin curved Lily’s lips, and she grabbed hold of the pendant at her throat. “Let’s do this.”
Falling into position across from her was as natural as breathing, and with no secrets between us, I felt like I could slay dragons. What still terrified me, though, was dancing in front of a packed auditorium. It was ridiculous and dumb, worrying about their judgment, but I’d lived most of my life seeking validation. It was hard to flip it off like a switch.
I gazed out at the crowd, imagining their reactions, and Lily squeezed my hand.
“Hey, no one else matters, right? It’s just you and me and the music.” Those were the words I’d told her during our first lesson together, and a smile broke across my face as she repeated them. Blue eyes twinkled as she added, “Just keep your eyes on me, QB.”
The music started…and we danced.
Epilogue
Stone
The heady scent of charred meat made my stomach rumble in time with the heavy salsa rhythm currently floating in the air. Leaning my back against a column on my porch, I popped the top of a Dr Pepper and chugged. After a long day with huge wins, there was only one thing that sounded better than a cold drink, good food, and a chance to breathe easy for the first time in six weeks, and Lily was already on her way.
To call today a success would be severely underselling it. The buzzing crowd had barely dispersed from the auditorium—leaving behind a mile-long list of interested new students—when Ma had called for a celebratory barbecue. That had been before I’d even introduced her to the phys ed teachers, too. As expected, they’d loved every minute of the showcase, in particular the youthful energy Ma had infused in her routines, and they’d been eager to discuss introducing dance to their schools. Surprise had filled Ma’s wide eyes when she turned to me, followed quickly by gratitude, and I’d had to tamp down the overwhelming rush of pride.
Turned out, I’d found a way to help my parents after all.
After twenty minutes of trying to drag her away, we’d ended up leaving her at the auditorium gushing with the teachers over ideas, so we could get home and start the grill. After a quick change, I’d helped Dad prep the meat while Angéla took over decorations and Chase made a run to the store. An hour later, the music was on, the place was set, and the grill was fired up. Now I just needed my girl.
Damn, it felt good knowing she was mine again. Just thinking it had my knees going weak with relief, and my T-shirt snagged on the brick at my back. Two days without Lily had been two days too long, and I was determined never to go through that again. If I did screw up in the future—and let’s face it, I probably would—I definitely wouldn’t make such a mess of it.
This experience taught me I needed her. Lily centered me. When those big blue eyes were locked on mine, my rough edges smoothed away. Lily made me feel like I was more than football, that I could do anything. She got me. Plain and simple.
Across the backyard, Angéla caught my eye, and I lifted my soda in gratitude. The days of teasing my sister about her Hollywood obsession were over. Today proved epic gestures were legit. I owed my relationship to her…well, and to Patrick Swayze.
A beep beep had me turning around, hoping to see my favorite redhead walking through the back door. Instead, I saw my favorite pint-sized Hungarian whirlwind. That worked, too.
“My handsome boy!” Ma beamed a megawatt smile as she cut a line toward me, navigating patio furniture. Throwing her arms wide, she slung them around my waist and declared, “You take such good care of me.”
She squeezed me tight and glanced up with green eyes liquid with love and hope. The hope was a nice change of pace.
“You happy, Ma?” I asked, hugging her back.
“Yes, my darling. So happy. The teachers and I made plans for the programs, wait till you hear! And then Marcus suggested a teen class at the studio for all the fresh new faces.” Her excitement was palpable as she bounced on her toes. “A whole new generation is going to fall in love with dance!”
My throat squeezed with emotion. “That’s awesome, Ma,” I told her, hugging her a little tighter. Seeing the worry erased from her eyes and knowing I’d made it happen? Right then, I wondered if it was possible to be too happy.
Then, she ruined it by smacking me upside the head.
“Sh— Crap! What the hell was that for?”
“That, my darling, is for not listening,” she replied with a knowing twist of her lips. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you butted in. I didn’t want you worried. This was our problem. You are the child, and I want you focused on school.”
Rubbing my head—don’t let her size fool you; the woman packs a serious wallop—I considered stating the obvious. We were in the position we were now, Ilusiòn saved, because I didn’t listen. But, before I could stick my foot in even further, she continued with a determined lift to her chin. “Just because you ended up right doesn’t mean I was wrong.”
I bit back a laugh at her logic. My
mom was a lot of things: vivacious, loving, passionate, and most of all, stubborn as hell. When she believed she was right, there was no arguing with her. That was fine by me. I’d take slightly annoyed but hopeful over lost and depressed any day.
Besides, Ma also had a gooey center.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I tugged her close and pressed a kiss against her hair. “Love you, Ma.” I waited until she slumped against me with a happy, forgiving sigh, then whispered, “Even when you’re wrong.”
At her gasp of mock-outrage I laughed and jostled her against me. “Listen, you do everything for us, and I know how much the studio means to you. This was my turn to step up. I wasn’t about to sit back and let it go without helping.” Her eyes went soft again, and I had to add, “After all, I inherited my stubbornness from you.”
With that, I pushed off the brick column and danced away with a grin, turning back at the door to send her a wink. The humor in her eyes said we were good, and more than that, we were set. My gut told me Ilusiòn would be just fine after today, and my gut was never wrong.
Inside the kitchen, I headed straight for the basket of apples on the counter, needing a snack to hold me over until that meat was ready, only to freeze when the chime of the doorbell echoed off the tile.
Twenty steps had me at the front door. “Mr. Bailey,” I greeted with a polite head bob, my eyes locked on his daughter. “Glad you could join us.”
Lily smiled shyly, love radiating from her eyes. I was tempted to take the covered tray in her hands, give it to her dad, and drag her to my room. Instead I took it from her and lifted it to my nose. “Mmm. Brownies.”
She huffed. “How on earth did you guess that?”
“Red, I don’t have time to explain the intricacies of the male stomach to you,” I replied, earning a snort from her dad. I widened the door and waved them through. “But rest assured, when it comes to food, I know my stuff. Especially if it involves chocolate.”
Lily rolled her eyes but gave me the smile I was looking for, then wrapped her hand around my arm. Mr. Bailey glanced at our connection for a full beat before bringing his eyes to mine and giving me an approving nod. Another piece clicked into place.
I led them through the house and back outside where Dad immediately handed Mr. Bailey a beer and Ma started reminiscing about his days at the studio. I wished Lily could have had both her parents here, and a part of me wondered if Mrs. Bailey would’ve approved of me, too. I had to hope she would if she knew how much I loved her daughter.
After setting the brownies on the table, I threaded my fingers through Lily’s and tugged her over to our love seat. As we sat down, the memories of our stolen night on these cushions washed over me, urging me to make new, fresh memories—and soon.
“Dad and I had a good talk on the way over here,” she murmured, turning to face me while sliding a leg under her. “During Thanksgiving break, we’re gonna take a long-overdue family vacation. Go tour a few Texas colleges before applications are due.”
“Oh yeah?” I was so busy watching the way the slight breeze lifted her cinnamon hair that it took a few heartbeats for her words to sink in. Once they did, my spine snapped straight. “Wait. Do you mean…?”
Lily nodded and tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear. “Harvard is an amazing school,” she told me, “but I recently realized it’s not where my heart is anymore.”
“It’s not?” I asked, scooting across the cushion until our thighs were flush and my hand was curved around her blushing cheek. She bit the corner of her lip and shook her head.
“There’s no way Boston can duplicate a Cypress Lake churro,” she replied seriously. I shot her a look, and she grinned. “Plus, Texas schools have a lot to offer. The commute will be easy, and I’ll be close to Dad, which will be good. We have a lot of repairing to do.”
I nodded sagely, then brushed my thumb across her jaw. “Are those the only reasons?”
“N-no,” she whispered, goose bumps prickling across her skin. “You, uh, might have something to do with it, too.”
Our gazes locked, and that same sense of peace and connection I felt the night of our first kiss rushed over me.
What did I do to get this lucky? “You know, maybe my family should take a college trip, too,” I said, sliding my hand down to the soft skin of her throat. I followed the movement with my gaze, realizing it was my turn to feel shy. “I, uh, think I finally figured out what I want to do.”
“You mean like in college?” she asked, and I looked into her eyes as I nodded. “Stone, that’s great! But what did I miss in the last two days? Did something happen?”
“Liam happened,” I admitted, remembering how it had felt out on the field. As heartbroken as I’d been missing Lily, seeing the love of the game in his eyes had woken something up inside me. “That kid…I know you know this, but damn is he awesome. He’s fearless and strong, and all he wants to do is play football. It got me thinking about other kids, kids who love sports but for some reason find they can’t play.”
I raised my eyes to hers, nervous as to what she’d think of my idea. “I want to be a physical therapist and help children like that. Help kids like Liam accomplish their goals. Or get as close as humanly possible.”
Admiration lit her expressive blue eyes, washing over me like a balm. “Stone, you’d be incredible at that.”
I kissed her nose. “You’re incredible,” I tossed back, hearing even as I did how cheesy it was. Ask me if I gave a damn. Lily’s lips twisted like she didn’t believe me, and I leaned my forehead against hers. “Red, I don’t think you realize how much you’ve changed me. For the first time in my life, I have a sense of direction. A plan for the future instead of a giant question mark. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be, and it’s because of you.”
The self-deprecating smirk transformed into a happy grin, and when I returned it, Lily’s gaze fell to my lips. Desire tightened my stomach as her warm breath coasted across my chin, and I leaned in, brushing my mouth across hers.
…And got slapped on the back of my head.
“Shit!” Turning around, I glared at my twin and asked, “What is with the women in this family knocking me around today?”
“There are parents afoot,” Angéla shot back happily, setting down a loaded tray of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other fixins for burgers. “Keep it PG, Romeo.”
She winked at Lily, who blushed an even prettier shade of pink than before and pushed to her feet. “Here, let me help you get things ready.”
The heated look she sent my way said we’d definitely be picking this back up later—when annoying sisters and parental figures weren’t around—and then she took off for the overflowing table. One minute she was on the move…stepping over my feet and the coffee table to get across me…and the next, she was falling through the air.
It was like déjà vu from the stairwell.
Without thought I stood and clenched my hands around her waist, tugging her back against my chest and saving her from face-planting onto the deck.
Angéla gasped, Lily groaned, and before I could stop it, a chuckle escaped my throat.
“Someone order a white knight?” I teased against her ear, enjoying the excuse to hold her close, even as the previous heat in her eyes was doused with embarrassed annoyance.
“One of these days, QB, I’m gonna be the one saving you,” she huffed, letting me guide her back to her feet. Once she was firmly planted, I set my hands on either side of her pretty face and looked square in the eyes I loved so much.
“You already did, Red. You already did.”
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Acknowledgments
In the entirety of this roller-coaster author life, there are two things that fill me with equal parts joy and terror: the slow, constant blink of the cursor at the s
tart of a new novel…and the bittersweet request from my editor for Acknowledgments. The first symbolizes endless possibilities, countless stories to tell and twists to explore, and the impossible task of choosing one. The second represents all the incredible people who helped a particular story come to life—and the truly scary prospect of accidentally leaving someone out. If I do that now, please know that it is simply my homeschooling mama brain at fault, and that I appreciate each and every person who speaks encouragement, assistance, and love into my life. I’m so very blessed!
Eyes on Me is my eleventh published novel to date. That’s mindboggling to write. What makes it even more incredible is that I’m still working with the same editor who kicked off my dream. Stacy Abrams, I adore you. Completely, wholeheartedly, and with so much gratitude and joy that I can barely stand it. Thank you for putting up with my tome-length comments during editing and my overthinking ways, and for being my calm in this business. Also, a huge shout out to Judi Lauren. Thank you so much for your hard work and eagle eye, and for loving Stone as much as I do!
Entangled Publishing is an incredible family and that supportive, dynamic energy is 100 percent because of our fearless leader, Liz Pelletier. Liz, you’ve always been in my corner, cheering me on, but you took it beyond with this book. Thank you for helping me find Lily and Stone’s story, and for your sweet patience with all my questions. So much love and gratitude to Hannah Lindsey, who is such a pleasure to work with that I’ve officially requested her for life! All my thanks to the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes, helping me shine: Heather Ricco, Jessica Turner, Katie Clapsadl, Curtis Svehlak, Meredith Johnson, Debbie Suzuki, and Melanie Smith. I don’t know what I did to deserve working with such an amazing company, but I’ll never stop being grateful.
A huge shout-out to my foreign rights agent, Rebecca Mancini at Rights Mix, for being so gracious and awesome. You’ll never know how much it means to see my words written in different languages and being able to show my daughters that dreams come true and this world is smaller than we think. The written word binds us together. What a beautiful thing for them to learn!
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