He tipped his head up to shoot me an incredulous stare. “What do you mean, if you’d had a clue? I kissed you goodbye before I left for my tour in Germany. How much of a clue did you need?”
“I didn’t know what that was, Danny,” I said, quietly. “Nothing in our relationship at that time said anything about us ever being more than friends.”
He covered my hand with his. “Of course you’d think that way.” Sighing, he added, “I never gave you any reason to think otherwise. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever let that other asshole get in the way of our happiness.” Entwining our fingers together, he said, “We let other people dictate too much for us, but that’s over. No matter what happens, I love you. That’s real and solid and forever.”
My body sang with his words, and I cuddled closer to him. “I love you so much, Danny Chambers. For always.”
?Chapter Thirty-Two
?Danny
When I’d walkedinto T’s apartment on New Year’s Eve and she’d wrapped her arms around her pillow, hugging it to her chest, the icy fingers of her hurt had wrapped themselves around my heart and squeezed. I’d wanted a do-over in taking her to Kaitlyn’s party, but in the end, I discovered we were way past that.
Late in the afternoon of New Year’s Day, we walked into my place to drop off my stuff only to find two of my roommates, Bax and Finn, playing a video game.
Because of course they were.
“Happy New Year, assholes!” I laughed at their expressions as we walked in.
“Thought you went to see your mom,” Finn said.
“I did. Had a great Christmas. But I wanted to spend New Year’s with my girl.” I hugged T close to my side. “How ’bout you?”
“The parents and my brothers are good. My older one got himself engaged while we were home.” From Bax’s tone, I couldn’t decide if he was happy or not about his brother’s news.
“How was your Christmas, Finn?”
“Mom fed me like she thinks I don’t eat when I’m here.” He grinned. “So it was awesome.”
I glanced toward the kitchen, and Bax laughed. “No, Danny, there are no leftovers. Finn ate ’em all before I got back yesterday.”
Finn’s shrug was unapologetic.
“You guys have a nice break?” Bax asked, including Taryn in the conversation.
“I came back early to work,” she said. “But Christmas was fun.”
“Callahan and Jamaica should be back any time.” Finn picked up his game controller again. “Wonder how ‘meet the parents’ went.” He smirked.
Bax nodded to the screen. “My brother designed a new video game, asked if we’d give it a go and tell him what we think.”
“What do you think?” I asked.
“Bax has already played it too much. You should try it with me after we finish this level,” Finn said, his tone grumpy.
“Sorry, man. I’ve got a better offer.” I kissed Taryn’s temple for emphasis. “Maybe later.” I picked my duffel bag up off the floor and ushered T ahead of me on the stairs.
“I know you came back early to work at the tire shop, but why are your roommates all back already? Classes don’t start for another ten days,” she said as she sat on the edge of my bed.
“Football, babe.”
She pulled a face. “But you lost the semifinal game.”
I hung some shirts in my closet. “Doesn’t matter. Next season starts day after tomorrow with winter lifting and goal-setting.” I rolled my eyes. “And film of our last game, unfortunately.” Pulling my underwear and socks from my bag, I tucked them in a dresser drawer.
Her eyes twinkled. “You’re excited for it.”
Sitting beside her, I picked up her hand, kissed her palm, and twined our fingers together. “I am. Since I got promoted to starter at the end of the season, if I work hard in spring ball, I have a shot at a scholarship. It would mean I could stop working at the tire shop and have more time to spend with you.” I kissed her hand again.
