I silently vow to live up to her faith in me.
I’ll do whatever it takes to avoid letting her down again.
“What about your parents?” she asks. “And football?”
“I spoke with my mother earlier this week.” It had been a tough, but long overdue call. “I let her know I wouldn’t be coming home again, and I offered to help her get out if she decides to leave. She wasn’t exactly receptive to the idea.”
With some coaxing, she agreed to talk to a domestic violence counselor, and I emailed her some resources I found online. My expectations are low, but who knows? Maybe a professional will get through to her in a way I can’t.
“Oh, Cooper. I’m so sorry.” Quinn squeezes my hand and I swear to God, it’s like coming home. “That couldn’t have been an easy conversation.”
“It wasn’t, but it was a step in the right direction. For both of us.” I finally realized that if my mom doesn’t want to leave, I can’t make her. I can only be ready to support her if, and when, she makes that choice for herself. “I also told Coach Collins that I’m planning to declare for the draft.” I chuckle. “He said it was about damn time. For all his bluster and sideline antics, Coach is a good guy. He offered to help me with agents and scouts, but we’ve agreed to put all of that on hold until next semester. I’ve got until January seventeenth to officially declare, so I just want to focus on the championship game for now.”
“That’s great news. You shouldn’t have to hide your dreams from anyone.” She picks up the newspaper and shakes her head. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“A big screw up requires a big apology. I’m hoping it will earn me a second chance.” I flash her a playful smile, hope surging in my chest. “Is it working?”
“I’m still deciding.” She drops the paper on the table and there’s a mischievous glint in her eye. “The internet is probably going to turn you into a meme.”
“My roommates already did,” I mutter, using my free hand to pull out my phone and show her the text message.
She laughs and claps a hand over her mouth. “Why am I not surprised?”
“It’s all good.” I slide the phone back into my pocket. “It’ll be worth it if I get you back.”
Quinn shakes her head, those fiery curls bouncing with every move. “You realize the internet is forever, right?”
I shrug. “So are the best relationships. Seems like a fair trade to me.” Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t respond, so I nod to our joined hands and press my advantage. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
My heart leaps into my throat and I wait with bated breath as she bites her lower lip, considering. It’s so goddamn sexy, it’s all I can do not to lean across the table and kiss the hell out of her.
“Did you mean what you wrote in the paper?” she asks.
“Every word.” It had taken me days to write that letter. To get every word just right. Call it a side effect of acting like carefree prick for the last four years. “Give me another chance and I’ll prove it.”
She pulls away and crosses her arms, fixing me with a hard stare. “So you’re saying that if I want to streak across campus after my last final, you’re going to stand by and watch?”
“Why the hell would you—”
Quinn clears her throat and her right brow arches in consternation.
I clamp my mouth shut so hard a muscle in my jaw twitches. “Yes. In fact, I’ll make a sign to cheer you on.”
“With glitter?”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart.” I’ll cover myself in glitter and parade around campus if it’ll make her happy.
She grins and her entire face lights up.Christ, I’ve missed that smile. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table. “I love you, Quinn, and I know I’m far from the perfect boyfriend, but I promise to give it my all every day for as long as you’ll have me.”
I just need one more chance. This time, I won’t blow it.
“I love you, too.” She leans forward and brushes her lips against mine.
The kiss is soft and gentle and not nearly enough after six days apart.
“You call that a kiss?” I cup the back of her head and draw her in closer, claiming her mouth with mine as my lips move over hers, relearning the shape and taste of her, committing every exquisite detail to memory.
