We went our separate ways after that. Anna tightened her hold on my waist but every now and then, through the store and in the checkout line, she’d let out a little giggle.
She swiped and I bagged.
I grabbed the receipt. “You really weren’t in love with him, were you?”
“I tried.” She looked up at me, her eyes soft. “But how could I? You overshadow everything and everyone.”
My chest cinched in the best way. “Ditto.”
She reached into the bag and pulled out her pack of peach gum. She popped a piece in and chewed for a few seconds. Then she closed her eyes and smiled the most transcendently happy smile. “Two more weeks. I can’t wait.”
I blinked. “Two more weeks ’til what?”
She poked me playfully in the ribs. “Til we get to spend Thanksgiving break together in Seddledowne.” She swung our hands between us, so happy.
Oh crap. “Hey, babe.” I winced, not wanting to say it but having no choice. “I don’t get to go home for Thanksgiving. Ever.”
She dropped my hand. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “We play our biggest game of the year that Saturday. Coach always has Thanksgiving for everyone at his house.” She chewed her lip, looking dejected. I reached for her, pulling her against me. “But you can come have Thanksgiving with me.”
“So I have to pick between you and my family?” She twirled the string on my hoodie. “Silas isn’t going to like that.”
“Then don’t worry about it,” I said in a hush. “Just go see your family.” It took all my willpower to say it. It was the opposite of what I actually wanted.
“No. You’re my family now.” She shook her head, determined. “Christmas? Will you be home for that?”
I tightened my arms around her waist and kissed her temple. “I hope not.” Her jaw dropped and I laughed. “If I am, it means we didn’t make it to a bowl game or the national championship.”
Her chin lifted. “Got it. So I should pray for losses, starting now.” She snickered.
I tickled her sides. “You’d better not.” This girl was the opposite of every other girl I’d dated. All they cared about was football. Not the actual game. Just the prestige of it and how far they hoped I’d go. All Anna cared about was us being home with family for the holidays.
I pulled her so tight, we were almost one person. “I’ll be home for a few days at Christmas either way. And once the season is over I’m not even allowed to play football again until the spring. So we’ll have time together in January and February.”
Her nose scrunched. “School though.” She finally met my eye. “This is hard, huh?”
“Yeah. Really hard.”
“So I have to drive to Knoxville for Thanksgiving.”
“You don’t have to…but I sure want you to.” Her eyes turned down and I knew she was thinking about being away from her family during the holidays for the first time in her life. “If it makes the decision any easier, I promise to keep my dimple out at all times. And I’m a way better kisser than any of the Duprees.”
I held my breath, hoping she’d take the happy way out.
The rumble started in her ribs. I felt it in my fingertips first and the second I did, I relaxed. Her laughter released the tension I’d held in every muscle of my body. But it felt like a close call. Like one of these times when she had to choose, she might decide it was too much, and she might not choose me.
Problem was, life as an athlete was nothing but commitment. Commitment to the sport, my coaches, the team, and my health. Commitment to everything and everyone but the people I loved most.
But looking at Anna now that her laughter had died down, indecision evident in the pucker of her brows—my chest swelled with so much love. I didn’t know how I was supposed to put anything ahead of her.
Not anymore.
Not again.
CHAPTER 22
anna
