Rebound (Soulmates Book 3)

by Dykes, Nicole

  I called Eric an asshole and we all started talking about the upcoming game. I was a little bummed because I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to see Maddy that Friday since I had a game, but I was excited because I heard some college scouts would be at the game. I needed a scholarship if I was going to college, and I wanted to go to college.

  After the game on Friday, a scout from Kansas State University, came over to talk to me. He said they were interested and made an appointment to talk to me and my mom about my future. We had already met with a couple of other schools, but they seemed like long shots. I was elated and called Maddy on my way home to tell her. She was really excited for me. I reluctantly hung up when I pulled up to my house.

  My mom and grandma were even more excited than I was when I told them. They didn't say it, but I knew they were both freaking out about having to pay for college.

  The first semester of my senior year flew by. The meeting with the K-State Scout went really well and they offered me a pretty good scholarship. It didn’t cover everything, but it was something. I would probably have to get a job during college to help out, but that was fine with me. I saw Maddy as much as I could, but not nearly as much as I would have liked.

  Over Christmas Break I finally introduced Maddy to my mom and grandma after weeks of their badgering. Maddy drove to my house and joined us for dinner. She looked very pretty in a long sleeve sweater that wasn’t tight and showed no cleavage. She had her long hair down and was so polite.

  I know she was nervous, but she really didn’t need to be. She was every parent’s dream. I held her hand under the table and we sat across the table from my mom and grandma. My mom took a drink of her water and eyed Maddy. “So you are a junior this year?”

  Maddy nodded, “Yes.”

  Grandma was next and never bothered to be subtle, “Well what are you guys going to do next year? With Ryan going off to college.”

  Maddy looked a little unsure and I spoke so she wouldn’t have to, “We will be fine. It’s only a little over two hours.”

  A small part of me was a little apprehensive, but I didn’t want anyone to know that. I knew we could make it work.

  Maddy agreed, “With technology it won’t be hard to keep in touch.”

  My grandma scoffed, but was smiling. “Don’t get me started on technology.”

  My mom laughed, “Oh yeah please don’t.”

  We kept the conversations light for the rest of the night and I could tell my mom and grandma approved.

  When it was time for Maddy to leave, I walked her out to her car. “Thank you so much for coming and enduring the interrogation.

  She grinned at me, “They weren’t that bad. I had a lot of fun. I really like them.”

  “They really like you too.”

  She gave me a kiss and then got into her car. With the door open a little she looked up at me. It was cold and there were a few inches of snow on the ground leftover from the day before. “It will be okay next year right?”

  I smiled reassuringly, “Of course it will. I’ll do everything I can to make things work.”

  She looked satisfied with that and then we said our goodbyes and she left to go home.

  When I started my last semester in high school, Maddy and I were both really busy and didn’t see each other for two weeks. I sent her a quick text right before lunch ended and asked if she was free that Friday. She told me she didn’t have anything going on and that she couldn’t wait.

  When I picked her up at her house, she immediately started kissing me as soon as she got inside of my car. She pulled back a little. I had missed her like crazy, and I just grinned at her, “Well hi!”

  She gave me a big smile back. “Hi! I missed you!”

  I started the car. “I missed you too. Where do you want to go? Are you hungry?”

  She just shook her head and said, “Let’s go to the lake. It’s quiet there.”

  I couldn’t help but to smile at that. I drove out to the lake and parked my car. We had caught up on the drive out to the lake and I couldn’t wait to kiss her again. As soon as I turned off the car I leaned over and kissed her intensely. I moved my seat back and Maddy got on my lap, straddling me.

  I was already hard as hell and I moved my hands under her shirt. I felt the soft skin of her back. She moved her hips forward pressing into me and I let out a soft gasp. She moaned in my ear and I pulled back and held her face in my hands. The words just fell out of my mouth, “I love you, Maddy.”

  I really didn’t expect her to say it back. I knew she had trust issues, but the next minute was agonizing silence that seemed to go on forever. I let out a breath of relief when she said, “I love you too, Ryan.”

  I smiled. She loved me too. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. I gently nibbled on her ear and she giggled. A beautiful, sweet sound. I was incredibly turned on and every part of me wanted her, but I would never pressure her. I knew she wasn't ready yet so I softly whispered in her ear, "Maybe we should go somewhere less private. I don't want this to get out of hand and I don't know how much longer I can take."

  She agreed and slowly lifted herself off of me and went back to her seat. We drove back into town. I dropped her off at her house an hour later.

  I was completely in love with Maddy and usually found myself thinking about her during my free time and when I should be studying or concentrating on a game. Although my mom really liked Maddy she called it puppy love and begged me to focus.

  Every time I saw Maddy I tried not to push things too far. It could get a little frustrating at times, but I truly cared about her and knew there would be time for sex later. I asked her to go to prom with me and she accepted only if I went with her to her prom. I of course agreed and couldn't wait. She still hadn't met my friends so I was excited to show her off.

  About two weeks before my school's prom I went home after school and my mom greeted me from the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen and saw my mom was making dinner, "Hey mom."

  She was standing at the stove, “I’m glad you are home. I got an interesting call today."

  I grabbed a box of crackers and sat down at the dining room table. “Oh yeah? From who?"

  She stirred something on the stove that smelled amazing and then walked over to me. "A scout from Auburn University.” She looked at the crackers, “Don’t spoil your dinner.”

  I put the crackers down and I looked at her confused. Why would he be calling my mom? We met with him months ago and hadn't heard anything from them. "What did he want?"

  She sat down and couldn't hide her excitement any longer. "Well apparently the young man they had offered a scholarship to decided to go to another school. They want to offer you a full scholarship honey."

  I was shocked. Auburn was my dream. They had a kick ass football team and I always wanted to go out of state for college. I loved Kansas, but it was all I ever knew. I tried to stay calm, "What kind of scholarship?”

  She had a huge grin on her face, "A full scholarship. Everything would be taken care of."

  I sat still in my seat and pondered that. A full scholarship. My dream for so many years.

  And then I saw Maddy's beautiful face. Auburn University was in Alabama. I was worried about going to K-State because it was over two hours away and now I had a fucking scholarship to Auburn. I stood up, "I'll think about it."

  My mom stood up also, "Think about it? Are you crazy?"

  I started walking to my room and she followed, "Ryan William! You have a once in a lifetime chance here. Is this because of Madison?"

  I turned around and looked at her. There was no way she was going to understand. "Mom, I love her. If I go to Alabama we would probably end up apart." I swallowed hard. The thought of giving up being with Maddy was unbearable.

  Her face softened, "I know you care about her. This is your future. Please don't give it up for puppy love."

  That pissed me off. I walked to my room and slammed the door behind me. I flopped down on my bed. I didn't know what to
do. I loved Madison and it wasn't just cute little puppy love. I saw her as a part of my future. On the other hand, it was my dream to go to Auburn, a dream I had deemed impossible.

  I got up and walked into the living room. I grabbed my coat and told my mom I would be back for dinner. Without waiting for a reply I went outside and got into my car.

  I drove over to Cory's house and filled him in on everything. He sat and quietly listened. When I was finished he looked over at me, "don't hate me, but I think you have to go."

  I groaned. "You too?"

  He smiled kindly, "I've known you for a long time and you have been talking about being an Auburn Tiger for years. You haven't even been with Maddy for an entire year. Do you really want to give this up?"

  I sat there, contemplating his words. We didn't say very much after that and eventually I went back to my house. I didn't talk to my mom or grandma and just went straight to my room.

  When I woke up the next morning I had two texts from Maddy. One was a picture of two prom dresses and the other said that she wanted to surprise me, but was too excited.

  I smirked reading her message. She was so cute. I sent her a message to tell I couldn't wait to see her in them and then dragged my ass out of bed.

  I was in a terrible mood all week at school because I had pretty much made up my mind. I was going to Alabama. I just had to figure out how to tell Maddy.

  I barely spoke to her because I was waiting for the right time to tell her and it felt like I was lying to her. Also I was a total coward. I didn't want to break her heart and I spent the week trying to convince myself it would be fine. That we could stay together somehow.

  The next week was just as bad. The Auburn scout called my mom and told her they needed an answer by the end of the week. That Friday I called him and formally accepted. My mom and grandma made me my favorite dinner and even baked me a cake to celebrate. They were both unbelievably happy and I felt like I was dying inside.

  That Saturday I drove to Maddy's house to pick her up to take her to my senior prom. I hadn't seen her since I found out about my last minute scholarship and I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life.

  Her dad answered the door and let me in. Maddy was standing in her living room with her mom. She walked over to me with a huge smile. "You're early!"

  She had her long wavy hair down and was wearing the light blue dress that she had sent a picture of. "You look beautiful.”

  She smiled and looked me over. "You look very handsome."

  We talked to her parents and then went out to my car. When I got in the car and started it up Maddy looked excited. "I can't wait to meet your friends!"

  It was a little unusual that we had been dating for almost a full year and she had never met any of my friends. It was so rare that we saw each other that when we did we usually wanted to be alone. I started driving. "They're gonna love you."

  We went to dinner and then I escorted her in my school's gym. The theme was a night in Paris and it was horribly cheesy, but it was still fun. I introduced Maddy to Eric, Shane and their dates and we hung out with them for most of the night. Cory wasn’t there. School dances were not his thing and I had only managed to get him to go to one the entire time I had known him. He was miserable the whole time so I never pushed it again.

  Eric and Shane gave her a little shit for being from Great Bend, but they were really polite for them. When a soft song came on I asked Maddy to dance with me and we made our way to the crowded dance floor.

  I held her close and she laid her head on my shoulder. She sighed, "I'm going to miss you next year. I know it's only two hours, but it's going to be tough."

  I knew I should tell her then. It was the perfect opportunity, but I couldn't get the words out. I think I was still in denial. Instead I just nodded and told her I was going to miss her too.

  A guy in my class threw a party at his house after the dance ended. He lived out in the country and it was a big camp out complete with tents, a large bon fire and a couple kegs. Maddy's parents gave her a one o'clock curfew so we had a little time together.

  We sat outside with my friends around the bon fire. The sky was perfectly clear and the stars were bright and standing out against the black, country sky. I thought about our second date, looking out at the sky with Maddy.

  Maddy had cuddled up next to me and my chest tightened. I knew I should tell her about going to Auburn, but this night was too perfect. I thought about telling her at her prom, but then quickly decided against that also. I didn't want her prom to be tainted by the news that I was leaving.

  This was fucking impossible. She moved her head slightly and looked up at me, "You're being awfully quiet. Are you okay?"

  I smiled down at her. Just tell her. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just admiring the sky."

  She looked up at the sky also, "Yeah it is really pretty tonight. I don't know how some people go their whole lives without seeing the country sky."

  I agreed. We hung out for a while longer and watched as everyone else got completely wasted. All using the excuse that it was their last high school dance, as if they needed a reason to get drunk.

  I dropped Maddy off at her house, a little before one. I walked her up to her door and kissed her. As I was about to walk to my car she grabbed my hand, "I had so much fun tonight. I can't wait for next Saturday! "

  I squeezed her hand slightly, "I can't either. Have a great week. I love you, Maddy."

  She let go of my hand and grabbed the knob of her front door. "Love you too! Be careful and let me know when you get home."

  I told her I would and after a quick kiss I went out to my car and drove home.

  The next week I stayed as busy I could. It wasn't too hard since I only had two weeks left in school and every teacher I had was trying like crazy to jam every bit of information they could into our minds before sending us out into the real world.

  I got my official acceptance letter and scholarship package in the mail that Tuesday. I would be living in a special dorm with the other guys from the team and have a strict curfew. I wanted to be excited, but every time I felt a hint of excitement, I saw Maddy's face.

  When Saturday rolled around I woke early and went with Shane and Eric to run at the track. It was something we had done for years, but I pushed myself twice as hard that day. I just wanted to get some frustration out before I saw Maddy.

  I wasn't going to tell her and ruin her prom so I knew it was going to be hard to spend another night basically lying to her.

  After several laps around the track I finally stopped running and started a slow walk to cool down. Shane and Eric caught up.

  "Damn man. What are you running from?" Eric said trying to catch his breath.

  I lifted the hem of my short to wipe the sweat from my brow. "Nothing. I'm going to have to step it up for Auburn. Just getting ready."

  Shane laughed, "I still can't believe you got a scholarship to fucking Auburn and I'm stuck at a community college."

  Eric shook his head at Shane, "Well at least you get to play football at college. I just get to go and learn."

  We all laughed. Eric was good, but he never really excelled at football and his parents were probably going to have to take out some student loans to go to school at the local community college Shane was going to. I couldn't do that to my mom and grandma. They already worked so hard to make ends meet.

  After my run I went home and showered. I laid around most of the day and did nothing until it was almost time to meet Maddy.

  I threw on my rented tux and grabbed a bag I had packed with clothes for after the prom and for the next day. I had permission from my mom to stay the night at the lake house. It took some doing, but she reluctantly agreed stating that I was eighteen and she trusted me. I told my mom goodbye and then made the drive to Maddy's house.

  Her mom answered this time and when I walked in I saw Maddy. She was wearing the dark purple dress, which I assumed was her favorite because it was her favorite color. She had her hair piled
up high on her head in a fancy bun. Even with minimal make-up she was stunningly gorgeous.

  She hurried over to me and hugged me. Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me over and introduced me to her friends, Michelle and Jackie. They were fixing each other's makeup while their dates were sitting on the couch waiting patiently.

  After all of the introductions Maddy's parents took several pictures and then we all headed out to a nice restaurant to eat before going to prom

  I sat directly across from Michelle at dinner and I could feel her eyes on me. No doubt trying to decide if I was good enough for Maddy. Even though I had been dating Maddy for months and I was sure she knew plenty about me.

  She looked like she was going to ask me something, but instead turned to Jackie and started a conversation about the party. "Are you going to get completely wasted tonight or just a little tipsy? Because drunk Jackie is hilarious. "

  Jackie just shrugged, “We will see."

  Maddy giggled next to me and I just laughed and shook my head. Relieved Michelle didn't grill me. Maddy had warned me several times before tonight that Michelle could be a little scary.

  After dinner we went to Maddy's prom that was as equally cheesy as mine was. We had a good time though. The two assholes from the movie theater were there, but luckily didn't confront Maddy.

  Maddy seemed a little anxious and I wasn't sure why. Maybe she had sensed something was off with me.

  We left before the dance was over and went to Maddy's house to change. After we were all in casual clothes we drove out to the lake. I hadn't been there since the night we met.

  There weren't many people there when we arrived, but the party quickly grew over the next couple of hours. I really enjoyed hanging out with Maddy's friends and was enjoying myself. I wanted to make the best of the night.

  Around one in the morning Maddy leaned over and quietly said, "Let's go find somewhere quiet."

  Her tone was sexy and I couldn't wait to be alone with her. I helped her up and she led me downstairs to a simple room. I walked to the center of the room observing the small room. It only had a bed and a dresser in it. Maddy locked the door and walked over to me.