Her eyes welled unexpectedly, her chest aching with pressure she couldn’t name.
“Ali?” he said again, quieter this time.
She let out a long breath. “I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
His breath hitched.
“I’ve kissed guys. Let them touch me. But I always pulled away before it went further. I just… I didn’t trust anyone like I trusted you. And I didn’t want anyone else to havethatpart of me.”
She paused, eyes fixed on the ceiling as a tear slid down her temple.
“You were too important. What we had was too big. I couldn’t take it and… and give it to someone else just to feel something again.”
Silence.
Then his voice, thick with something he wasn’t hiding: “Jesus, Ali.”
“I know it’s weird—”
“No. Baby, no. That’s not weird. That’s… fuck, that’s beautiful. And devastating. And I don’t deserve to be the only one you’ve ever trusted with that.”
She bit her lip, tears slipping freely now.
“But I am so goddamn honored that I was.”
Ali turned on her side, pressing the phone tighter to her ear, like maybe it could close the miles between them.
“I think part of me always believed… if I waited long enough, maybe we’d find our way back.”
“We did.”
And with that, she smiled— soft and sleepy and safe. “We did.”
Right Where You Left Me
Dylan
The phone call ended, and Dylan lay in the darkness, his heart still racing from the sounds of Ali’s breath, her voice soft and hushed as she let him guide her through bringing herself to an orgasm. She’d admitted it, in the quietest whisper, just as the tension faded between them: she hasn’t been with anyone else.
No one but him.
The words settle deep inside him, heavy with meaning. A claim. A connection. It sends a wave of possessiveness rushing through him, but it’s not just that. It’s something deeper. Something more essential. He’s not the only one still holding on, and the thought of leaving it all unresolved gnaws at him.
Dylan stares up at the ceiling, the weight of the night pressing on his chest. He doesn’t know how long he lies there, staring into the blackness, but the minutes bleed into hours. By 3 AM, the thought is clear:I’m going to Honeyshore. Right now.
There’s no doubt anymore. No second-guessing. Training Camp’s still weeks away, and he can’t waste another day. His mind races with the desire to get to her, to surprise her, to remind her just how much she means to him. She’s always had his heart, but now, more than ever, it feels like he’s been holding back— stuck between fear and wanting something real.
Dylan swings his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet hitting the cool floor. He stands in the dim light of his room, the world outside still dark, still quiet, while the adrenaline buzzes through his veins. Without even thinking, he grabs his phone and starts booking the flight. Savannah. Early morning flight. He’ll get there in a few hours, rent a car, and drive to Honeyshore.
He’s doing this. No hesitation. No playing it safe.
By 4:30 AM, he’s out the door, the hot air hitting his face as he slides into the Uber. His heart pounds, but it’s not fear— it’s anticipation. The world’s still asleep, the streets empty as they head toward MCO. He doesn’t know what to expect once he gets to Honeyshore. He doesn’t even know how Ali will react. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that he’s with her.
The ride feels too quick, but by the time he pulls up to the airport, Dylan’s nerves are still buzzing, just underneath the surface. He grabs his bag from the trunk, steps into the terminal, and heads straight to his gate. He can’t believe he’s doing this. But then again, he can’t believe he left her yesterday.
By now, the sun has fully risen, casting a warm light across the highway as Dylan drives through the rolling fields of Georgia. It’s almost 8:00 AM. He’s getting closer. His stomach churns with anticipation as he rolls into the outskirts of Honeyshore.
He picks up his phone, fingers trembling slightly as he scrolls through his contacts. Ashley Palmer, Ali’s cousin and best friend, pops up on the screen. She’s an attorney, tough as nails, and someone Dylan knows won’t sugarcoat anything. If anyone can help him pull off this surprise, it’s Ashley.
