One More Chance at Forever (The Chance Series Book 5)
Page 15
He grins, and my panties fall to the ground, not really, but they would if I wasn’t in a yard full of people.
“Yeah, I’m ready. I got a scholarship actually.”
I smile widely. “That’s great. Where to?”
“Notre Dame, for football.”
It’s like everything goes silent. He’s coming to my college? I’ll get to see him every day? “That’s awesome, Levi. I’m so proud of you.” I lean in and give him a hug, inhaling him deeply. Every muscle in my body tightens with a yearning I’m not sure about. I’ve always liked Levi. I just knew it couldn’t work before… but now, it can.
But I don’t want to be that kind of girl. You know, the kind that turns a guy down for years on end and doesn’t give him a second look until he’s turned from ugly duckling to sexy god — not that he was ever ugly.
I’m so confused. I shake my head slightly, hoping to regain my composure.
He looks behind us, and we see everyone looking in our direction. He lets out a laugh. “You want to take a walk?”
“Sure,” I agree.
He leads me off toward the pond, and we begin walking around it for some privacy. “Em, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way things happened between us before.”
When I glance at him, I see tiny lines etched around his eyes. “What do you mean?”
He lets out a long breath. “I know I sort of tricked you into that date and the kiss. It wasn’t exactly wanted by the both of us. I was just hoping if you saw how things could be between us, it would change your mind.”
I stop walking and turn to face him. “Levi, I…” Fuck it, just tell him. “I enjoyed our date. And the kiss. But I stopped anything from happening because I knew we couldn’t work. I was leaving for college. You still had two more years of high school. And I knew that if we started something then, I’d leave, and we’d break up. I didn’t want to hurt you or do anything that would jeopardize our friendship. I’m sorry if I hurt you. That wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to protect you. I didn’t want to leave you hurting.”
I look at my feet because I’m not sure if what I said even made any sense at all. Did I just say that I liked him? Did I say that I want to try this with him now that we’re both going to be in the same place at the same time?
“Em, I know I’m younger than you, and I always will be, but I’ve been in love with you since I was six-years-old. You’re the only girl I’ve ever wanted.” Slowly, he reaches for me. His hand lands on my hip, and he pulls me toward him. My chest is flush with his, and his sweet breath blows down on my face. “I love you, Em.”
I open my mouth to say something — I don’t know what, but before any words can come out his lips are against mine.
At first, I’m a little timid. I haven’t even kissed a guy since Tony two years ago. But this kiss, I can’t ignore it. I can’t do anything but feel it. I can feel his love and devotion for me. I can feel years of friendship taking a turn for something bigger and better. And I can see a whole future that gets painted before my eyes. And he’s right next to me the whole way.
Hours pass, and the sky grows dark. A big bonfire is lit, and we all gather around it in groups. My mom and dad are sitting on a log, wrapped in a blanket together. They look happy to have everyone all in one place. This is their world.
It’s funny how things turn out. My mom has been around the world. She’s lived in the spotlight and performed for millions of people. She could’ve had any man she chose, but she chose my dad, a country boy with charm who showed her she could have everything she ever wanted.
My dad now has two running shops, one in my name and one in Preston’s. After college, I plan on coming back here and working with my family. I know my dad and Uncle Dane were basically forced into this life, but I want to join the family business. It’s a legacy after all. Looking at my parents and how happy they are, I know that’s all I’ll ever want in my life: a place to call home, a husband who loves me with every breath he takes, family, and friends so close, they’re like family.
Jax’s laugh pulls my eyes away from my parents. I find him sitting in the grass with his cell phone in hand — talking to his girlfriend, I’m sure. I’m pleasantly surprised by him. He was always such a player, burning through different girls every weekend. But here he is happy, and based on that look on his face, he’s completely wrapped up in this girl. I can’t wait to meet the woman who brought Jax to his knees.
Sarah and Trent are across the fire from my parents. Trent sits on a log with Sarah on his lap. They’re whispering something quietly to one another before they get up and run into the dark, out of sight. I laugh and roll my eyes. They’re still just as bad as teenagers.
My uncle Dane and Alissa are laughing at Sarah and Trent. When Alissa says something to my mom, they laugh together and shake their heads.
Preston and Macy are sitting next to one another, quietly talking. And Levi has his arms wrapped around me, pulling me to his chest. I can feel his heart pounding against my back, and it grounds me. It makes me realize that this right here is all I’ll ever need to make me happy — my family and friends, being in his arms where he can protect and love me for the rest of our lives. I don’t know what will happen in the future with us, but I do know I’ll never make the mistake of letting him go again. He’s waited all this time for me to realize what I need in life, and I need him.
Acknowledgments
Wow! Is it finally over? Hahah, I doubt it. Already my head is twisting with more stories from this family!
To everyone that loves this series, I never pictured it going on as long as it has, but I’m so glad you’ve stuck next to Mason and Lennox! Thanks for reading and loving these characters as much as I do!
To my beta team, Dusty, Amanda, both Jennifer’s, and Katie, thanks for everything you guys do for me. Reading, reviewing, pimping, all of it! I couldn’t do this without you guys! You guys push me every day to get to work. Having you guys as my team makes all the hard work worth it!
To KG, guess what? It’s still Wednesday, bitch! Love ya!
To my everyone in KB’s Crazy Readers, thanks for being a part of the group! I love talking with you all! Hope you all love this book as much as the others.
And last but not least, to my family! Your love and support is all I need to keep going in writing and in life! I love you all!
Also by K.B. Andrews
The Chance Series
A Chance at Forever
A Second Chance at Forever
Our Last Chance at Forever
Giving Up My Chance at Forever
One More Chance at Forever
The Chance Series Box Set with bonus book! (Coming Soon!!)
The Brooklyn Series with Kelly Moore
Taking Down Brooklyn
Taking Back Brooklyn
Taking Jake
The Hope Series
Wrapped in Hope
Bound to Hope
Lost in Hope
Standalone Novels
Finding You in the Darkness
Losing a Piece of Me (Coming soon to Audible!)
F*cking Shattered (Now available at Audible!)
Dirty Chicago
Season One Available Now
Season Two Coming Soon
New PNR Series written with K.G. Reuss
The Dreamweaver Series
Wicked Dreams
Sweet Nightmares
(Coming 2018!)