Fuck. That.
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m not gonna do that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not getting this marriage annulled.”
“Silas, I’m not saying we would go our separate ways necessarily. I just mean that we could start fresh without the pressure of being married.”
“I don’t feel pressured. You do?” Shit.
“Pressuredisn’t the right word, I guess, but you have to agree, this is a major commitment. We’re young too. I’m only nineteen. I’m just trying to wrap my head around it all, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you have feelings for me?” I know she does, but I want her to say it.
“I told you I did.” She sets her hands on my shoulders. “And I don’t say things I don’t mean. I might be cautious about it, maybe take time, but this? I didn’t lie to you. I do have feelings for you. Probably for longer than I should admit.”
“Okay, that’s all good though. And you’re not wrong. We did this backward, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want to make this work, and I know we can.”
“Football is going to be your priority for a while. It has to be, and I completely understand that. I really do. I just need to figure out how I fit into all of it.” She searches my eyes for an answer.
“It does make sense. But I really want you to trust me.”
In my gut, I know that us being together isn’t a mistake. And I believe that we’re meant to be. I can’t explain it, but I feel it. I think she does, too, but she’s scared. She needs to know she’ll be a priority for me.
“So, let me date you. Woo you. Whatever you want to call it. Let’s spend time getting to know each other better. I want to know everything about you.”
“I want to know everything about you too.” Her hands slide up my neck and into my hair.
I love it when she does this.
I need her to feel like she has the control here. I think that’s the only way she’s going to give this a chance and not run for the hills. And give up on me.
“I have an idea.” I rub my hands up and down her thighs.
“What’s your idea?”
“Give me until April.”
“For what?”
“To prove to you that this isn’t a mistake.”
“Silas, just to be clear, I don’t think you’re a mistake. I just think maybe now that we’re out of the Vegas bubble, we need to be more realistic. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.”
“And all of those feelings and thoughts are completely valid. So, I’m going to let you decide if we stay married or not. But I’m asking you to give me until the draft to make you fall in love with me.”
“Silas,” she practically whispers.
“Come on, Cupcake. Give me a chance.”
“What if you don’t fall in love with me? What if you decide you don’t want this?” She drops her hands from my neck.
“Baby, I’m already there. You own me.” I bring her hands to my chest.
“Really?” A smile spreads across her face.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” I kiss her and run my hands up and under the Walker football sweatshirt she’s wearing.
