When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I rested my forehead against his.
“I want to be your girlfriend,” I whispered. “Even if it's a secret for now. Even if it's complicated. I want this. I want you.”
Derek's smile was brilliant, transforming his entire face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I kissed him again, softer this time. “Now come on, boyfriend. You have a Pilates session to get through, and I'm going to make you work extra hard for making me emotional.”
He groaned but stood, pulling me up with him. “You're evil.”
“You love it.”
“I do,” he agreed, and the way he looked at me made my breath catch.
I do.
Not I love you, not yet. But something close. Something that felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing you were about to jump but not quite ready to let go.
Soon, maybe. But not today.
Today, we had Pilates to do, secrets to keep, and a relationship to figure out one moment at a time.
And somehow, that was enough.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DEREK
The stadium lights of Redwood University's field blazed against the darkening sky as our bus pulled into the parking lot. I pressed my forehead against the cool window, watching the opposing team warm up on the field.
This was it. My first start since the injury.
Ten months of recovery, physical therapy, Pilates, therapy sessions, and fighting my own mind had led to this moment. I should have been excited. Pumped. Ready to prove everyone wrong.
Instead, my hands were shaking.
“You good?” Aaron's voice cut through my spiral. He'd taken the seat next to me on the bus, a show of solidarity that I appreciated more than I could say. Yet, it annoyed me as I couldn't text Rosalie.
“Yeah,” I lied automatically.
Aaron didn't buy it. “Dex. Talk to me.”
I tore my gaze from the window to look at my friend. Hisblue eyes, matching Rosie’s, were concerned but not pitying. That made it easier somehow.
“I'm terrified,” I admitted quietly, not wanting the rest of the team to hear. Especially not Max. “What if I freeze out there? What if I can't do it?”
“Then we adjust. We've got your back.” Aaron's hand landed on my shoulder, firm and grounding. “But Dex? I don't think you're going to freeze. You've been killing it in practice all week. You're ready.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you stopped playing scared.” Aaron's words were simple, but they hit deep. “Last game, you were protecting yourself. These last weeks in practice? You've been playing to win. There's a difference.”
Was there? Had something shifted without me noticing?
I thought about the past week. About my therapy session with Dr. Morrison, about the 2 AM phone call with Rosalie, about finally feeling like maybe, just maybe, I was putting myself back together.
“Yeah,” I said finally. “Maybe you're right.”
“I'm always right.” Aaron grinned, breaking the tension. “Now get your head in the game. We can't let the girls think you don't have it.”
