by Eliza Freer
Blake grabs the microphone back from Riley. My cheeks are flaming at this point, hoping people are paying attention to the guys and not where they’re looking. “Hypothetically, me and all my teammates do not take kindly to some stupid motherfuckers stirring up trouble for us and our family. Hypothetically, if we find out who’s spreading this garbage and continuing to verbally assault our friend are, there will be mega consequences. Like, you’ll wish we take it as easy on you as we do those dummies at practice. That we don’t demolish you and make you wish you never heard Easton’s name, or said one negative word about her.”
Riley puts his arm on Blake’s arm and takes the microphone back. “And we’re the calmest two on the team. Forget you heard this vile crap. Forget you know anything about any of us, or Easton, personally, and know if you don’t we will find you and make sure you never speak another word about our girl again.” Riley looks over to the administrators who are getting uncomfortable and moving towards the stage. “Hypothetically. So, have a great night.”
All the guys but Riley jump off the stage and walk towards me. I wait until Blake, Simon and Paul are standing in front of me and I punch each of them a little too hard. “What in the HELL do you think you were accomplishing with that? Is that why you were all ‘Oh, East we want to spend time with you. We love you. You have to come.’ Was it to pull that stunt?”
Blake grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug. “Had to be done. We might have gotten that crazy girl into some serious trouble, but that doesn’t stop everyone else. They needed to be threatened.” He pulls back and looks me in the eyes smiling. “Plus, we spoke in hypotheticals so we can’t really get in trouble.”
I glare at them. “I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works, but being on the football team is the more likely reason you won’t get in trouble.”
I take a step back and look at the floor before looking up at the thirteen men standing in front of me. These men that went to bat for me and put themselves out there to make sure people left me alone. That I start school with them having my back in a public way. I clear my throat and make sure they know I’m speaking to each one of them. “Thank you. Really, thank you.”
Tony speaks up first. “Awwwwww. Group hug!”
I grin. “No, no. No group hugs.”
That's all it takes for the guys to circle up around me and squeeze in cutting off my air supply. Blake kisses the top of my head. “Now, making sure you came might have been a ruse, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t planning on showing you a good time.” He spins me towards the stage. “One more surprise.”
Riley looks at me and I notice he’s put the microphone into a stand and set a stool up behind it. I look at him quizzically before he speaks again. “Moving on, we have a special guest to play you something a very stubborn girl needs to hear. Wilder Sullivan, you’re up. And good luck.”
At that Riley jumps off the stage and comes and puts his arm around me. I look up to him and he smiles innocently and shrugs. I turn back towards the stage and see Wilder walk out and take a seat with his guitar strapped to him. He takes a deep breath and looks at me with an intensity that I haven’t seen before. It’s a mix of sadness, uncertainty and love? No, can’t be love. Let’s go with extreme like.
Blake comes up on my other side and rubs the back of my head. I feel Simon and Paul at my back. I lean into my guys assuming I’ll need the support.
“So. I’m pretty sure you’re going to hate that I’m doing this at first, but hopefully you get over it by the time I’m done. I only ask that you really listen to what I have to say before passing judgement. Also, if you remember this is really scary for me, and the only time I’ve ever played in front of people. Ever.” Wilder pauses, probably for dramatic effect.
I smile and look down. When I look back up I see the emotion Wilder is trying to swallow back so he can get through this. “You’re worth it to me. The fear. But standing up here playing for strangers isn’t what scares me as much as you maybe never forgiving me, and I am sorry. There are words I want to say to your stubborn ass once this is over, and I hope you’ll give me the chance to do that in a less public setting.”
Wilder looks at me waiting for me to respond. I give him a small nod and he smiles at me. “So, here we go.”
It started with a question
Not the one I wanted to ask
Suddenly making you mine
Was my number one task
You can be Grace
And I can be yours
I’ll gladly play your games
Never really cared about the score
I’ll give you two truths
But never lies
I couldn’t hide from you
Or your ocean eyes
Please say you want me
The way I want you
Please hear me say
There’s nothing I won’t do
Please take my heart
And never give it back
Because the moment you rolled your eyes
You stripped away my mask
I take a deep breath fighting back the tears. I know I’m watching who Wilder wants to be as much as that scares him, and he’s putting it on the line for me. He’s putting himself out there so I know when he says he’s sorry and he wants me he really means it. That I’m not some girl like his dad said I was. I feel Riley and Blake move closer. Riley squeezes my shoulder and Blake takes my hand, both knowing I need anchoring so I don’t let my emotions get the best of me.
You caught me in your magic
Do you see it in my face
What I wouldn’t give
For you to put me in my place
Hiding in plain sight
Is your biggest mistake
If you’d never let me see you
That’d be the real heartbreak
I’ll give you two truths
But never lies
I couldn’t hide from you
Or your ocean eyes
Please say you need me
The way I need you
Please watch me prove
There’s nothing I won’t do
Please take my heart
And never give it back
Because the moment you rolled your eyes
You stripped away my mask
If you show me yours
I’ll show you mine
I won’t hurt you again
I won’t screw it up this time
The biggest leap I made
Wasn’t into the water
When you finally kissed me
My soul knew I’d found her
I’ll tell you two truths
But never lies
I couldn’t hide from you
Or your ocean eyes
Please say you dream of me
The way I dream of you
Please stay with me
There’s nothing I won’t do
Please take my heart
And never give it back
Because the moment you rolled your eyes
You stripped away my mask
Please say you see me
The way I see you
Please say you feel me
The way I feel you
Please say you miss me
The way I miss you
Here are your two truths
Since my heart never lies
One, I’ll never give up on us
Two, I’ve got three words for you
The crowd whoops and claps once the last refrains of the song ring out. At this point I’ve stopped pretending I’m fighting a lump in my throat and let a tear escape, because holy bananas. The least I can do for Wilder right now is let him know how much his song affected me. That it meant something and I’m not hiding from him. All fourteen of my protectors move away from me and disperse when Wilder walks towards me. Blake and Riley stay close in case this doesn’t go well, but they seem to have faith it will.
“So. You wanna tell me how you got Riley to help you out with
this whole thing?”
Wilder chuckles. “I kept calling you and texting you and Riley answered your phone one of those times to tell me to go to hell, and apparently something I said made him listen to my desperation and we came up with this.” He takes another step towards me and is right in my personal space. “He did threaten me and told me I’d better make it good, so I have a lot on the line here.”
I smile and look up at him, knowing there’s no way he can’t see how much I care about him and how much what he did means to me. “Hey, give me a minute and we can step outside for a few, okay?”
Wilder nods as I move towards Blake and Riley. “While I hate you both for this since you’ve literally made me the center of attention for the last fifteen minutes, I choose to forgive you because your hearts were in the right place. So, thank you. And know, if I don’t like what he has to say, I retract this thank you and go back to I hate you.”
The guys smile at me and Riley winks. “You’re still coming home with us. I’m not dealing with your dad’s wrath, but we’ll give you some alone time. You do have to come back, though.”
I chuckle and give them both a hug. “Promise. Now go, make some girl’s night by giving her a dance. I’ve got your back if they get too handsy. Not like that’s ever gone poorly.”
I hear them both groan something about “too soon” and head back towards Wilder. “Okay, let’s head outside. I’ve had enough eyes on me for awhile.”
Wilder puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me outside. Once we’re out of the range of prying eyes and ears he starts talking. “God, I’ve missed you. What I said…I can’t believe I said those things to you. You didn’t deserve any of that. I should’ve been on your side from the start. I should’ve believed you, should’ve believed my girlfriend. I’m ashamed I was friends with someone who would do that to you, but more so, I’m ashamed of myself for talking to you like that and throwing in your face something so private that you trusted me with.”
He looks down at me with sad eyes. There’s no doubt he’s sincere. He takes a step towards me and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. He whispers the next few words and it makes my heart beat faster. “Can you forgive me? Can we get back to what we started? If you’re not ready to jump back in, tell me, but give me the chance.”
I take a deep breath and lean into his touch. “You’re not the only one who went too far. I said things I shouldn’t have said. I’m not innocent, I know that. I’m sorry too. I’m sorry for what I said.” I point my finger so he knows I’m serious. “I’m not sorry that I hate your friend or that I pushed so hard to get you to believe me. Trust is a huge thing for me, and it killed me you didn’t put your faith in me. I won’t lie to you and say walking away from you wasn’t the right move in that moment, it was. But I shouldn’t have stayed away so long.”
I look down and let another tear escape. Wilder pulls my chin up so I’m looking at him again. “If you can forgive me, I can forgive you. I think we both deserve another chance. And you should know that I missed the hell out of you, and I’m so proud of you for what you did tonight. Not just that it was beautiful and meant more to me than you can ever know. It was the nicest, sweetest, most special thing anyone’s ever done for me. But, I’m proud of you for being who you are, no matter how scary it was.”
Wilder smiles and pulls me close. He leans in and I feel his lips against my ear as he tucks his head into my shoulder. “You’re worth it. And, uh, I, um…I maybe think that I might kinda love you.”
I freeze. Wilder holds me tighter, not letting me run away from the sentiment. “You kinda love me?”
Wilder laughs in my ear. “Yeah, that’s what I said. Why are you ready for me to take away the kinda?”
I look up at him and circle my arms around his neck. I pull him close so our lips are touching. “Um. I’m good with the kinda for now as long as you are. Cause I, just maybe, might kinda love you too.”
Wilder leans in the last fraction of an inch and kisses me so deeply and passionately I wish I didn’t have to go home with the guys. Janitors’ closets seem tacky and cheap for a first time, plus I don’t know where any are.
I lean into the kiss letting his tongue meet mine and nip at his lip as I pull away. I ghost another kiss and lean back looking directly into his eyes. “Well, this night took an unexpected turn.”
Wilder chuckles and kisses me again sweetly. “So, can we get out of here or what?”
I sigh. “No. The guys promised my dad they’d all be taking me home. All four of them. See, when we had our fight and I ended up at Tony’s I kinda got a lot drunk and Dad’s not super excited about that, so he made the guys promise they’d all bring me home in one sober piece.” I stroke my hands through his hair. “But, tomorrow is the family cookout for the team. It’s the last hoorah before everyone gets so busy they don’t see their family anymore, and if you’re into it, I’d like you to come with me.”
Wilder breaks into a beautiful smile that takes my breath away. “Yeah? Like as your date?”
I smile back. “I don’t know, is that what you want it to be?”
Wilder rubs his nose against mine. “No, not really. I’d like to go as your boyfriend, but if you’re not ready to hop back into titles, I get it.”
I grab him by the collar and pull him in for a kiss that I hope speaks to all the things I haven’t yet said. “We Collinses love titles. Just ask my dad. He’s obsessed with them.” I smile up at him. "I can get behind that idea. Pick me up at noon?”
Wilder grins and tucks his arm around my waist and leads me back into the dance. “Well then, as your boyfriend, I accept and can’t wait for you to show me off.”
I laugh. “You say that now…”
Wilder kisses my temple. “I say that always.”
Chapter 28
I stand on the sidelines watching the team play a pickup game with some of the family members out for the cookout today. Wilder is out there, proving his manhood of course, taking all the hits the guys dish out. I smile knowing they’re hitting a little harder for me.
Dad glances my way, watching me smile at all my boys playing together. He tilts his head to the side, and raises an eyebrow. He knows the boys are dishing it out on purpose. I roll my eyes and shake my head. Can’t slip anything past that man.
Paul jogs to me. “Your boy had enough or should we keep letting him know who’s boss?”
I grab Paul’s bicep and lean into him. “One more hit, then he’s had enough.” I give him a kiss on the cheek. “But I appreciate all of your hard work.”
Paul smiles, winks at me, and heads back onto the field. He leans over to Blake, Riley and Simon whispering. They all give me the nod after my instructions have been imparted. I glance over at Wilder and see him watching me, knowing that he knows the guys are acting on my behalf. I give him a little wave and he shakes his head.
He takes a big hit from Blake and is laid out, breathing hard. Riley walks over and lends him a hand, helping him stand, and smacking him on the butt. I smile at Blake and Riley and they give me a thumbs up, showing they know it’s back to business as usual. The guys play for another who knows how long before Wilder jogs off the field and runs straight for me. He picks me up throwing me over his shoulder. I squeal super girly.
“Easton Collins if I didn’t know better I’d say you arranged for me to be physically accosted by your very large surrogate brothers.”
I laugh so hard I tear up. “Put me down!”
Once he does he kisses me deeply and leans me back into a dip. I hear catcalls knowing we’re being watched. What else is new.
“They may have asked if they could give you a couple hits, and I may have said yes.”
“Yankee!” I see Tassie walking briskly up to the pair of us. She runs into my arms and gives me a huge hug. “I’ve missed you!”
I laugh. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours.” I pull back and notice the sadness swirling in her eyes. I’m sure mine look pretty similar. S
he leaves for Boston tomorrow.
Tassie shakes her head. “No. We won’t do this now. Let’s get soggy and emotional later when we’re actually saying goodbye.”
I feel Wilder rub his hands in circles on my spine to soothe the rising emotion. I nod at Tassie. “Okay, deal.” I sniff to get past the tears I won’t let fall quite yet. “But, we also shouldn’t lie to ourselves and pretend like we’re going to be emotion free all afternoon. We’re not very good actors.”
Tassie tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Speak for yourself, bitch. I could’ve been the next Marilyn Monroe if I wanted to be.”
I scoff. “In so much as you having an affair with a president, maybe.”
Tassie smacks my arm. “Gross. Thanks for that.”
“Ouch! I said A president, not THIS president. Take your pick. I heard Taft was a real looker.”
I hear Wilder laugh behind me and circle his arms around my shoulders. “Only you, East, would pick an obscure president for your best friend to bang. You couldn’t have even gone the super easy route and given her Kennedy.”
I shrug. “He’s from Ohio. I had to do a report in elementary school on famous people from Ohio. The teacher picked for us. I wanted Neal Armstrong but stupid Stephanie Clark got him instead.”
Wilder whistles and grabs my shoulders a little tighter. “Man, when you hold a grudge, you really hold a grudge.”
I spin around and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yeah, and don’t you forget it.”
Wilder kisses me gently. “Oh, I won’t.” He leans down and whispers in my ear. “But it’s not something you need to worry about. I’ve only just gotten my hooks back into you. I’m not letting you go again.”
