by L A Cotton
“Okay. Love you, big brother,” she said.
“Yeah, yeah.” He brushed her off, but I saw the emotion in his eyes. “Take care of her,” he mouthed at me.
I nodded, my throat thick.
I wouldn’t only take care of her. I’d love her for as long as she’d let me.
“WOW, THIS IS...” SUMMER spun around, arms wide, head thrown back in laughter.
“Hey,” I said stalking toward her. “If I’d have known a fancy hotel room would make you so happy, I would’ve made damn sure we visited one sooner.” Sliding my arms around her waist, I pulled her back into my chest.
“I love it,” she sighed. “And I love you.” Summer turned in my arms, leaning up to kiss me.
“I will never tire of hearing that.” I brushed the loose wisps of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear. Summer leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed, her breath catching in her throat.
“You’re tired,” I said.
“No.” Her eyes snapped open.
“It’s okay, we can sleep.” I didn’t want to sleep, I wanted to lose myself in her. To feel Summer’s skin pressed up against mine. Her little moans as I made her come.
Summer stepped back out of my reach as she began slowly stripping out of her clothes. The silk off-the-shoulder blouse went first, followed by the skintight jeans.
“You’re playing with fire, Angel,” I growled, letting my eyes move down her tight body and back up. Summer smirked, planting a hand on her hip. “Maybe I want to get burned.” She began backing up slowly, her eyes fixed on me as I yanked the polo shirt over my head then unbuttoned my jeans.
“But you’ll have to catch me first.” Summer took off toward the bedroom, her laughter filling the room. I quickly flicked off my jeans and gave chase. She didn’t make it very far before I dived for her, taking us both down on the bed.
“Got you,” I said breathlessly.
“It doesn’t really count if I wanted to be caught.” Her fingers brushed my hair. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you chance to explain.” Her voice was quiet.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about Sasha.” It could have saved us both a lot of heartache, but I couldn’t fix the past, I could only promise to try not to screw up in the future.
“I have something to ask you, and you’re going to think it’s crazy, but just hear me out, okay?”
Summer’s eyes crinkled. “Okay.”
“I know you said you might look at UCLA for college next fall, but what about if you look at San Diego? They have a great Education Department.”
“You want me to move to college with you?”
“Well I’m already there so you wouldn’t be moving with me, but yeah, I want you to consider it.”
“It’s fast, JB. Really fast.”
“And crazy.” I kissed the corner of her mouth. “Totally crazy. But you know what else is crazy? I don’t want to be somewhere you’re not.”
“I... maybe. I’ll about it.”
My lips came down hard on hers, my tongue sliding into her mouth as I rolled us so that she was caged underneath me. We were half off the bed, and it was uncomfortable as fuck, but I didn’t care.
“What was that for?” Summer panted, her cheeks flushed, eyes dancing with lust.
“You’ve made me pretty damn happy is all.”
“JB,” she warned. “I didn’t say yes. I said I’ll think about it.”
Shrugging, I grinned. “I know.”
She was right, she hadn’t said yes.
But it wasn’t a no either.
And that, I could work with.
“SON, THIS IS... UNEXPECTED.” Dad frowned as I stood in the doorway of his office. “Aren’t you supposed to be at college?”
“We need to talk,” I said cutting straight to the point and moving further into the room.
“Well, by all means, do come in,” He grumbled, placing his pen down and folding his arms. “What is this about, JB? I have work to do.”
“I need a favor.”
“A favor?” His brows went up. “Haven’t I done enough favors for you lately?
My fist clenched at his flippant tone. It wasn’t like I’d asked him to intervene, but that was Sheridan Holloway—he did what he wanted, when he wanted.
“So one more shouldn’t be an issue, should it?” I leaned back in the chair. “I need you to talk to the President at SDU about late admissions for someone.”
“Really, Son? That’s not something I can just—”
“Oh, come on, Dad. We both know your pockets are deep enough to make people listen. And besides, I think you’ll definitely want to do this.”
“Oh yes? And why on earth would that be?”
“Because if you don’t, I’m going to redshirt the season.”
Anger flamed his cheeks as he slammed his hand down on the table. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”
“Actually, I have.” I crossed one leg over the other, fighting a smirk. I didn’t want to incense the old man any more than I needed to, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good finally standing my ground against him.
“Let me guess, this is about her,” he almost spat the words.
“She has a name.”
“The wrong name.”
“I take it Mom told you?”
“Your mother mentioned it, yes.”
“I love her.”
“Love her?” He sneered. “You really have lost your mind.”
“Look, I’m asking for your help. It’s pretty simple. Help me and I’ll still be your son, the son taking your name all the way to the NFL; or don’t help me and lose me and the dream, Dad.”
He sank back in his chair, staring at me as if he no longer recognized me. “She’s a Stone-Prince.”
“And I couldn’t care less. I love her and I intend on starting a life with her. You can either get on board with that or not. It’s your call.”
His anger ebbed away, replaced with disappointment and something I could hardly believe was hurt. “You have the world at your feet, Son. Don’t throw it all away for a girl.”
“She’s worth it,” I said without hesitation.
“What makes you think I’ll do it?”
“Because I’d like to believe there’s a tiny piece of the man you used to be in there.” The man who had taught me to throw my first ball and cheered from the side lines at every game. The man who taught me to go after my dreams and believe in myself.
When he didn’t answer, I added, “And because if you don’t, you’ll lose me. I’ll choose Summer. Every damn time.”
He ran a hand down his face, his eyes fixed right on mine. “You’re more like me than I give you credit for.”
I really wasn’t, but this was different. Dad could help mine and Summer’s situation. And the way I saw it, he owed me. Summer had the grades, but SDU didn’t accept spring admissions, and no way in hell was I waiting another year to get her there.
“So, what’s it going to be?” I asked, drumming my fingers together, waiting.
“Fine.” The word almost choked him. “I’ll make some calls and see what I can do.”
Pushing off the chair, I gave him a tight nod. “Thank you.” I went to walk out, but his voice stopped me at the last second.
“I hope she’s worth it,” he said, an air of threat in his voice.
Meeting his hard glare with my own, I replied, “She’s worth everything.”
With or without his help, Summer was my future. And I was going to do whatever it took to make sure we had a fighting chance.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Holloway’s old man did good.” Kyle breezed into the room, two boxes balanced precariously in his arms. “Where do you want these?”
“Anywhere,” I said, taking in the room again.
My room.
The one JB’s father had managed to secure for me when he coerced the President of SDU into offering me late admission. It was
n’t something I really liked to think about; my boyfriend’s father donating to the college for my place here. But I couldn’t lie, I was relieved to finally be in San Diego.
It had been a long three months. When JB had asked me about considering applying to San Diego, I thought he was crazy.
It was crazy.
Our relationship was so new and I was still healing. But once he had moved back to college, and our time together had to compete with football and classes, I realized there was only one place I wanted to be. Life was too short, and I didn’t want to spend a second longer than I had to apart from the guy who had saved me when I needed it most.
But JB hadn’t only saved me—he’d pulled me from the shadows. Taught me it was okay to go after the things I wanted.
“I love you, Sum,” Rick’s voice filtered into the room and I turned, watching him stalk inside, his arms also laden with boxes. “But did you really have to bring everything?”
“Of course she did.” Laurie slipped around him. “She’s a girl. We like to feel at home. Nice place by the way.” She came over and gave me a hug.
“Thanks” I smiled.
“Are you sure about this?” Kyle said, hands planted on his hips as he scanned the room again.
It was a single dorm room in the most sought after building on campus. I’d already met the other girls on my floor when JB insisted on personally introducing me to each and every one of them. But they seemed nice, with not a catty cheerleader in sight, welcoming me with warm smiles and words of reassurance.
“Where the fuck have you been?” My brother’s gruff voice startled me, but then my eyes landed on JB and everything else disappeared. He moved toward me, completely ignoring Rick and Kyle glaring at him, and pulled me into his arms.
“Sorry,” he said, dropping a kiss on my nose. “I got held up.”
“Held up,” someone mumbled.
“It’s okay, you’re here now.”
“After we hauled all those boxes up here.” That was Kyle.
“It’s not like you don’t need the exercise, Stone.” JB threw back, his eyes never leaving mine. They twinkled with amusement and love. So much love, I felt it all the way down to my toes.
“You’re here,” he breathed, closing the distance between us, his lips hovering over mine. “You’re finally here.”
“I’m here.” My hands slid up his chest resting there.
JB kissed me softly, his lips tracing the shape of mine. But it quickly turned desperate; his hands burying in my hair as he tilted my face, his tongue tangling with mine in the most delicious way.
Someone cleared their throat behind us, and JB smiled against my mouth. “Later,” he whispered.
My tummy clenched at his promise. Because I had no doubt when my brothers had finally left, JB would want to christen the bed. And maybe the shower in my small bathroom.
Absence had definitely made him insatiable, and on the weekend when we visited, we rarely left his bedroom, or the bedroom back at the pool house.
“Okay, break it up.” Kyle’s arm clamped around mine and he started pulling me away. “We still have a few hours with you yet.”
“Kyle!” Me and Laurie cried while Lo came over and slapped him upside the head.
“Behave,” she scolded.
“What the hell, Cous?” Kyle rubbed his head while hooking his arm around my neck and pulling me into his side. “She might be with Holloway now, but she’s still my baby sister.”
“Noted,” JB said around an amused smile, and I mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
He was used to Kyle’s behavior by now, but it didn’t stop embarrassment flaming my cheeks. Even now—moving to college, being with my boyfriend—my brothers found it hard to accept I was no longer little Summer Stone-Prince. I hadn’t taken the path everyone expected of me. I hadn’t rolled over and forgiven Nick. I hadn’t gone off to USC. And despite what everyone thought, their opinions and judgments, I hadn’t denied my heart when I knew I was falling in love with JB.
“I love you,” he mouthed back.
“I love you too,” Kyle said drolly, and my new dorm room filled with laughter.
And my heart filled with love.
Because no matter what I decided or the choices I made, I realized I would always have the support of my brothers.
Even if they did drive me insane sometimes.
WE SPENT THE DAY WANDERING around campus. I’d been here enough that I knew my way around it now, but I enjoyed letting JB give us all the tour. Then we drove across the city to the SDCCU stadium, where in less than two weeks, Kyle and the USC Trojans would play in the Holiday Bowl. Then we made our way downtown to take in the Christmas lights.
“We should probably get off,” Rick announced. “We have a thing tonight.”
“Thing?” Lo asked, glancing up at my brother.
“Yeah.” He rubbed a hand down the back of his head, cupping his neck.
“Ooh, hot date?” Kyle grinned.
“Fuck off,” Rick snapped at the same time as Laurie elbowed Kyle in his ribs.
“Ow, babe.”
“Stop teasing him.”
“You didn’t mention a thing,” Lo said, brows pinched.
“Forget I ever said anything. Come on. It’s getting late and I’m sure Holloway and my sister have more important things to be doing.”
Silence fell over the six of us and then Rick growled. “Fuck, I didn’t mean...”
“We know what you meant,” I said, going to him. He pulled me into a hug and whispered, “I’m proud of you, Sum. I’ll see you at home for Christmas, okay?”
I gave him a little nod before being wrangled into Kyle’s arms. “Be safe. I know Holloway will keep an eye on you, but I’d prefer it if you check in with me at least once a day.”
“Kyle,” I sighed, fighting a smile.
“Okay, every other day.”
“Kyle!” Laurie shrieked.
“Twice a week?” His eyes twinkled.
“I’ll call, I promise.”
He hugged me tighter, finally handing me off to JB. In another time, I would’ve resented the action. But now I saw it for what it was—two brothers looking out for their sister.
“We’ll see you soon, okay?” Lo gave me a little wave.
“You can always call or text me daily. I promise not to pry or bark at you.” Laurie smiled.
“Holloway, you’d better not fuck this up.” Kyle pulled Laurie into his side. “Because I’d hate to have to ruin your other arm.”
“Didn’t stop me,” JB shot back, and my brother chuckled.
“I still can’t believe you made the play-offs. You should have been out for the season.”
JB shrugged as if it was nothing. But it wasn’t nothing, and the Sabres hadn’t only made the play-offs, they’d made the final game, losing by only a single touchdown.
“Babe, come on,” Laurie said. “You can shoot the shit next week.”
When we all headed to my parents’ house for the holidays. Macey and Devon, Kiera and Trey would be joining us too. I still hadn’t seen my sister since everything went down with Nick, but we’d spoken. And I was excited to be in San Diego for more reason than one. Kiera and Trey lived here too, both attending UC San Diego. They couldn’t make it today, but we’d already made plans to hang out once I was settled. I was glad it was finally all out in the open because I didn’t want to keep reliving it. I wanted to move on.
We all said goodbye and JB wrapped me into his arms. “I thought we could hang out for a little bit before we go back?”
“Okay.” I smiled up at him. A chance to catch my breath after my brothers’ visit sounded like a good idea. Not to mention, the nervous energy vibrating in my stomach.
“Come on,” he said, pulling me down the sidewalk. It looked so pretty, the lights twinkling, illuminating storefronts and the night sky. Wreathes adorned doors and garlands decorated windows. I’d always liked Christmas, but this year felt even more special. Because although my world had to
crash down around me first, I didn’t doubt I was right where I was supposed to be.
JB got us two hot chocolates from a nearby food truck and we sat on the bench, watching people on the skating rink. He slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close.
“Is it wrong I’m relieved they’re gone?” he said quietly.
“I know exactly what you mean. I love them both so much but they’re... intense.”
“It’s only because they care.” He squeezed me tighter.
“I know.” I exhaled a small breath just as a family caught my eye over by the rink. The man was holding the baby while the mom tucked her soft ringlets into her knitted hat.
“You want that?” he said, watching the young couple fuss and coo over their little girl.
“One day,” I whispered over the lump in my throat.
I didn’t allow myself to think about the baby much. I was too young and it was never meant to be, but there were moments, like right now, when I felt the loss deep in my soul. For those few days, I’d been a mother. I’d imagined a life with a mini-me. Night feeds and trips to the park, hugs and hearing my baby call me mama for the first time.
JB’s finger slid under my chin, angling my face to his. “I’ll give you everything you want, you know that, right?”
I nodded through the tears.
“I don’t want it now,” I said, swallowing hard. “I just...”
“I know,” JB replied.
And something told me he did know. It hadn’t been his baby. But he’d been there with me, held me through the pain and confusion. JB had pieced me back together and although I was content in being at college, starting our lives together here in San Diego, I couldn’t deny a tiny part of me did look into the future and want that with him.
“One day,” he said, kissing the top of my hair.
Two little words.
But they weren’t only two little words.
They were a promise.
A promise I hoped sometime, in the not-so-distant future, would come true.
The End
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