Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series

by Amanda Shelley

  By the time we leave the stadium, there’s a group ready to go out and celebrate together. But until I hear from Abby, I don’t feel much like celebrating. Instead, I say hello to my family since they traveled to watch me play, then I head back to the hotel.

  When I pull out my phone, I see one simple text, which gives me hope.

  Abby: Congratulations! I’m so proud of you.

  My fingers quickly tap out a reply.

  Me: Thanks. I still can’t believe we’re playing in back-to-back championship games.

  Abby: You deserve it.

  Before I can type anything else, Grey enters the room.

  “Thought I’d find you here.” Grey plops on his bed and stares at me expectantly. “Spill it. What’s going on with you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say dismissively.

  “Dude. Your head’s been up your ass this entire trip. What is going on?”

  “Why aren’t you out with the team?” I ask to take the focus from me.

  “Because my best friend’s holed up in our hotel room when we should be out celebrating. He’s been quiet as fuck all day, and now… he’s avoiding the subject.”

  Leave it to Grey to tell it like it is.

  I should just tell him. But what the fuck do I say?

  My girlfriend hasn’t talked to me in two days, and I’m afraid I’m losing her?

  Fuck no. I’m not voicing those thoughts aloud. Just thinking them is bad enough.

  Instead, I do the last thing I want to do. I pop off my bed and say, “Let’s go out. I’m ready to get drunk.”

  Grey’s eyes widen as his mouth drops to the floor.

  When I reach the door, I look back over my shoulder. “Are you coming or what? There’s a seat at the bar with my name on it.”

  “Whatever you need, man, I’m here for you.”

  36

  Drew

  Yeah, drinking last night probably wasn’t my smartest idea. Now both my head and heart hurt. I almost feel bad for Grey as I wasn’t the best company. I barely spoke ten words the entire time we sat at the hotel bar. But like the friend he is, he stayed by my side and kept my glass full.

  Thank fuck we found a quiet corner where people didn’t recognize us. Most of the team was celebrating at local bars where students hang out. After slamming down a few shots, I chased them with a few beers. I wasn’t out of control, but for not being a drinker, it was more than my share.

  Our flight was early this morning, and it took everything in me to get up when the alarm went off. But it’s my own fucking fault I feel this way. I refuse to look at my phone, in fear that Abby remains radio silent. Finding my place on the plane, I pop my earbuds in and will myself to fall back to sleep.

  When I wake up as we land, I feel much better. I know better than to drink like I did last night, but at the time, I just couldn’t give two fucks about it. I haven’t done anything like that since high school, and I feel a bit guilty for resorting to it. This is so unlike me.

  It takes forever for the team to get from the airport to our university. I’m dying to see Abby. My only goal is to find her and talk through whatever’s wrong. I just hope I’m not too late.

  Knowing I skipped a shower this morning, stopping by my apartment first, is a must. Sure, I showered after the game but after drinking, sleeping, and traveling all day, I need to wash the grime off me before seeing her.

  As soon as we’re back in the apartment, I quickly rush through a shower and change into a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Of course, it’s raining in Washington, so I grab a hoodie to offset the weather.

  On the way out the door, DeShawn hollers, “Hey, you have some mail!”

  When I turn, he’s holding two large envelopes and some bills. Immediately, my attention is on the larger envelopes. If their logos are any indication, I’m sure what might be in them. But the way my heart hammers out of my chest with my need to settle things with Abby, I know I can’t handle anymore disappointment now, no matter the risk.

  “Thanks, man.” Snagging the envelopes, I rush to my car. Throwing them on the passenger seat, I hightail it to Abby’s.

  God only knows what is going through that brilliant mind of hers. But she’s gonna talk to me one way or another.

  I’ve purposely kept my phone off all day; I can’t handle the possibility of rejection. Her silence is like an axe splitting through my chest and chopping me to pieces bit by bit, as time goes on. I need to see for myself if I’m just imagining things, or if my instincts are right.

  God, I don’t want to be right in this moment.

  Of course, the parking lot’s full when I arrive at Abby’s apartment. I finally find a spot on the street, about a block away. My long strides eat up the pavement quickly as I close the distance between us. Hell, I’m not even sure she’s here, but knowing she doesn’t work today, I doubt there’s any place else she’d be.

  When I knock on her door, I’m forced to impatiently wait for someone to answer. When the door finally cracks open, my heart sinks to find Sydney.

  Sydney’s face fills with excitement as she pulls me in for a hug. “Congratulations, Drew! You played well yesterday.”

  Not really, but that’s beside the point. Taking a step back, I rub my palm against the back of my neck. “Uh, is Abby around?”

  “She’s in her room last I checked.”

  I don’t even wait for a response as I push past Sydney and walk to Abby’s door. It’s open, and she’s lying on her bed listening to music with her earbuds in. Instead of rushing in, I take a moment to study her. She’s dressed in yoga pants and a hoodie I’d left here the other day. Her hair is stacked on top of her head, and she’s staring at the ceiling.

  When I look at her beautiful face, I notice dark circles under her eyes, and they seem a bit puffy.

  Is it from crying?

  Or has she been sick?

  God, I hope I haven’t been in this funk because she’s been sick.

  Wait… Sydney would’ve said something, right?

  When I take a step into the room, I startle her.

  She jumps, pulling her earbuds out as she goes. “Oh, you scared me. Have you been standing there long?”

  “Long enough to notice there’s something wrong. Have you been sick?”

  Abby shakes her head. “No.”

  Shit. She has been crying.

  “So… What’s going on, Angel?” I draw out on a long breath, bracing myself for the worst.

  Abby sighs and looks everywhere but at me. There’s tension in the room I’ve never felt before, and I’m certain I’m not going to like what she has to say.

  I give her a few moments before I can’t handle it any longer. I walk into her room to sit next to her on the bed. When she still doesn’t look at me, my chest clenches.

  Shit. This is bad.

  Knowing I must get this over with one way or another, I reach out and guide her chin, so that she looks me in the eye. The crackle of electricity that’s always present when we touch is back in full force.

  When her golden-brown eyes find mine, I encourage her to speak her mind. “Abby. You’re killing me. Please, just tell me what’s going on.”

  Her beautiful thick lashes blink a few times, and her eyes well up with tears. “I’ve missed you,” she whispers.

  Okay… that’s not what I expected. Her words don’t match the bleak expression on her face.

  “I’ve missed you, too,” I say in return, but somehow, I sincerely doubt that’s all that’s bothering her. “But what’s going on? Have I done something to upset you?” Clearly, she’s upset. But I have no fucking clue why.

  My palms sweat, and my heart races as I prepare for the worst to come.

  “When you left the other day, I realized just how much I love you,” she says in a small and shaky voice.

  Those words bring a smile to my face. “I love you, too, Angel.”

  Abby shakes her head, and I’ve clearly misread her message. Her face morphs into
an expression that tells me she’s on the verge of crying. “No. I really love you. Like I don’t think I can possibly love you anymore than I do right now.”

  “This is a good thing, right?” I ask, not understanding what the fuck is going on. Why is it a problem for her to love me?

  “Drew, with that love… You have the power to wreck me. I’ve missed you so much this week, I physically haven’t been able to eat or sleep.” Tears pool at her lashes but somehow manage to defy gravity.

  What? This makes no sense. “Abby, we’ve been apart before, and I’m back now. What’s wrong?”

  Her voice breaks as she explains. “Because I realized that I don’t think I can do this anymore. If I can’t handle being apart from you for one weekend… How will I handle being all the way across the country from you?”

  Fuck.

  My worst fear is coming to life.

  Her words cut through me like a knife, and it’s all I can do to get my next words out. “W… what… are you… saying?”

  She looks to the ceiling and pulls in a ragged breath. “Hell, for all I know you’re going to resent me on top of all this, too.”

  What the fuck is she talking about?

  “Resent you? Why on earth would I resent you?”

  Her voice is small when she whispers, “I got in.”

  “Got in?” I ask, clearly not connecting the dots. “Got in, where?”

  She stands and slowly walks to her desk. There she picks up an envelope I recognize. “I got into Johns Hopkins.”

  Holy Fuck!

  37

  Abby

  Drew immediately bolts up from the bed as he yells, “Hold that thought!”

  Before I can process anything, Drew sprints out of my bedroom. I can’t even get to the hall to follow him before I hear the front door to my apartment slam open and hit the adjacent wall.

  Drew’s nowhere to be found when I make it to the door. I’ve never seen anyone run as fast as him. If I hadn’t heard his words giving me a sense of hope he’d return, I’d be panicking right now.

  Wondering where in the hell he’s going, I stand at my front porch to wait.

  And wait.

  Finally, I see him in the distance, running like he’s making a fast break with only seconds left to go in the game. He bounds up my stairs two at a time. He stops abruptly in front of me, panting with the most beautiful smile written across his face.

  Bending down to catch his breath, he places his hands on his knees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so breathless. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what the hell he just bolted off for. When he stands, he holds out a big white envelope.

  “Did it…” He takes a deep breath to steady his voice before continuing, “Did it look like this?”

  Did what look like this? What the hell is he talking about?

  Then I see the logo… and my heart races out of my chest.

  No way. It couldn’t be.

  Have I been worrying for days over nothing?

  Please God, let that be the case. I nod frantically, but my voice is stuck in my chest.

  Drew rips into the envelope and quickly pulls out his letter. His eyes are laser focused on the message inside, and I’ve never seen him so unreadable. Eventually, the corners of his lips twitch, but his features remain stoic. Giving me no clue as to what it says.

  My heart starts to crumble, and I suddenly can’t breathe.

  Holy shit, did he not get in?

  Drew stares at me for a long moment before words come out of his mouth. “So… if I told you I was accepted into Johns Hopkins, would it change your mind about being with me?”

  Oh, God. What’s he saying?

  I feel my body going weak, and I reach for him to steady myself.

  Drew closes the distance between us in an instant, concern written all over his beautiful features. “Abby, are you okay?”

  “Did you…” I ask weakly, so I clear my throat to say what needs to be said. “Did you get in?”

  Instead of saying anything, Drew reaches to me and pulls me into the tightest hug imaginable and whispers, “Yes.”

  “Yes?” I ask, needing reassurance. “You got in?”

  “Yes!” he shouts loud enough for all my neighbors to hear. “I’m going to Johns Hopkins.”

  His lips crash down on mine, and it’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever felt.

  The weight of this entire week lifts in an instant, and all my self-doubt instantly disappears.

  “Are you fucking with me?” I ask in disbelief. The odds of us both being accepted into this school were so slim.

  Drew’s beautiful face shakes, but his infectious smile spreads. “I got in, Angel.”

  “Ohmigod, Drew, I’ve been so stressed. For some reason when you left, it hit me like a ton of bricks how much I love you. I couldn’t handle being apart. Then when I got my acceptance letter, I had a whole new worry. I didn’t want you to resent me for going to the school of your dreams.”

  Drew lifts a finger to my lips to stop me from saying more. When he has my full attention, his dark-blue eyes lock onto mine and study me. I’m not sure what he sees, but he still feels the need to ask, “So, this isn’t about you not loving me?”

  “No… if anything, I love you too much,” I whisper in return.

  Drew’s grin splits his face in half as he picks me up and spins me around on my small porch. “Angel, there’s no such thing as loving someone too much. If you’ll let me, I’d be glad to prove this to you.”

  Rolling my eyes, my head tips back and laughs. “God. You’re such a Neanderthal… Put me down so we can go inside and talk about this some more.”

  As soon as my feet hit the floor, Drew steadies me to make sure I’m settled before grasping my hand and pulling me to my room.

  When we get inside, he takes his time closing the door.

  When he turns, his expression isn’t what I expect.

  The light, fun-loving man from a moment before is gone.

  In his place is a man whose hunger and need are evident. His eyes have darkened as his stance transitions into a predator waiting to pounce.

  He stalks toward me like a man on a mission. My heart beats wildly in anticipation. He eats up the distance between us in a matter of one breath. When he stops before me, he stalls for a moment to look me in the eye.

  Electricity zings between us, and it’s all I can do to keep myself rooted in place.

  When Drew speaks, his voice is rough to the point of being raw. “So we’re clear…” He pauses for a moment as he places his hand on my hip. With his other hand, he motions between us. “This thing between us isn’t going anywhere. If you ever have doubts… You come to me. We talk about it. You don’t retreat into your head, and you don’t keep your worries to yourself. We. Are. A. Team. Got that?”

  Drew stares at me until I nod in agreement, but no words come out.

  Then he shocks me again when he reveals what he’s been going through. “I’ve been a fucking wreck since I left, and I have no desire to repeat that ever again. You obviously have no idea what you mean to me, so my new mission is to make sure you never doubt my feelings again.”

  Holy shit. He’s dead serious.

  I couldn’t love Drew Jacobs more than in this moment. My heart’s bursting with emotion as happy tears fill my eyes. “I love you, Drew,” I whisper. If I spoke any louder, the words would get stuck in my thick throat.

  “Let me love you, Angel,” he practically growls as his lips crash onto mine.

  Electric pulses sizzle up my spine as Drew deepens our kiss. When his tongue sweeps across my lips, mine part with ease. Needing him closer, my hands roam under his shirt and skim up his back.

  Drew breaks our kiss in all too short of time, leaving me disappointed.

  However, it’s only to step back and rip his shirt over his head in the sexiest of ways. Not wanting to be any further apart from him, I fling off my shirt and push at my leggings and underwear, as if I’m trying for the world re
cord for unclothing myself.

  Drew growls appreciatively when he notices my efforts, shucking off his jeans and boxers in one fluid motion. When his cock springs to life, liquid heat flows through me, making me want him more than ever.

  Then he closes the distance between us to assist with the removal of my bra. He peppers me with kisses.

  How in the hell can he have me on the brink of ecstasy with a few simple kisses?

  “I…” kiss. “Love…” followed by another kiss to my neck. “You, Angel,” he breathes out on a sigh as he makes his way to my mouth.

  “Need you, Drew,” is the last coherent thought I have as Drew takes his time loving me, cherishing me, and making sure I know he’s mine.

  Epilogue

  Drew

  Ten Years Later…

  Today marks another big day for Abby and me. We’ve been working like crazy, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. We’ve prepped, planned, and checked over every detail with care. After all, it’s no longer just us we must worry about.

  Over the years, we’ve been through many trials and tribulations. I’d never say med school was easy, but with her by my side, it was bearable. She was my rock through it all, and I can honestly say I love her more each day.

  I’m pleased to say she kept her promise to never shut me out. There’s been several times, I’m sure she wanted to run for the hills because things were too stressful, but somehow, we’d talk through things and work them out. I know I’m not the easiest guy to live with, but she continues to love me, in spite of myself.

  Today’s the ten-year anniversary of the CRU championship game. Yes, helping my team earn back-to-back national championship titles was out of this world. It was truly a spectacular moment in my life, and I’ll never forget the high that came with it. But if I’m being honest, that’s not even close to my highlight of that day for me.