Her eyes flashed with a challenge. “You know I’m down for that, but I don’t want you getting hurt. Not mid-season.”
“Baby, I’ve scaled so many fences in my life. This is nothing.” I wouldn’t lie though, I liked her concern for me. “Come on. I’ll help you up first.”
“Do you remember when you helped me escape that house party by practically throwing me up over the brick wall?” Ivy laughed as she gripped the top part of fence and hoisted herself up.
She let out this little baby grunt, and I wanted to record it and wake up to it every day. It was so fucking cute.
Look at our girl pulling herself up.
She’s so perfect.
Don’t let her fall, dumbass. Stop staring at her ass.
I shook my head and hoisted her hips, balancing her. The scars on her arm were on display, and I admired them for a minute. She once thought those scars would define her, but I cherished those wicked lines. They were a part of her and so fucking beautiful. I admired her every time they caught my eye. “Scars are hot, Ivy. Have I told you that?”
“Oh?” She had one leg on the fence, the other on my side. She arched a brow as I grinned up at her. “Like, how hot?”
“The hottest.” I ran a quick finger over her arm, loving the raised skin there. “You okay to jump down, or do you want me to hop over real quick and catch you?”
“I can handle a small drop, Callum. I’m notthatfragile.” She used her sassy, bossy tone that I loved.
She reserved her attitude for me most of the time.
“I know you’re not, but you could twist your ankle and ruin your internship, right? How about you pause a second, and I catch you. I’m a selfish man and want to cop a feel. Appease me. Put me out of my misery.”
“So dramatic, you.”
I chuckled as I quickly jumped over the fence and landed with ease. My muscles didn’t even strain.Okay, brag much? My god.
“I got you.” I held out my hands, and she fell into them, flashbacks of us doing this a thousand times replaying through my mind.
The time I caught her jumping off the swing set in third grade.
The dance in junior high when she needed to get off the bleachers but they were too tall for her.
Sneaking into the stadium in high school to celebrate big moments—her receiving an academic scholarship, me going to D1 school. I’d catch her every time and always would. My heart raced, and my palms sweated.
The dumb voice in my head spat off rapid fire concerns, all coming out of nowhere.
Does she even like this? Does she want this? Does she feel good about us?
The insecurity and fear annoyed me.
I tightened my grip, a sudden, aggressive rush of feelings hitting me. “Does this feel okay with me?”
“What do you mean?” She kissed my nose before blushing. “Sorry, that was weird. I don’t?—”
“I love when you touch me or kiss me first.” I set her down and brushed some of her hair out of her face. “Kiss me every time the thought crosses your mind.”
“Mm, that might become excessive.” She snorted and ran a hand over my jaw. “I feel more than okay with you, Callum. I…“ She sighed and stared over my shoulder for a moment before a ghost of a smile crossed her face. “It feels right being here with you now. This field. The memories.”
“Let’s go to our spot.”
My stomach fluttered with a stupid herd of butterflies. I wanted my girl in our spot. What was I gonna do there? No idea, but I was ready for it. I took her hand and dragged us along the track, up the first set of stairs before I said fuck it. I hoisted her in my arms. She smelled like home, lilac and coffee, and it comforted me as much as it turned me on.
Holding her while standing here, where it all started, settled a deep need I never knew I had.
I saw her face painted with my number. I saw her cheering me on or consoling me after a bad game. I saw how I’d avoided everyone else, my family or flavor of the week and sought her out every time. “It’s always been you,” I whispered against her neck. “Always beenyou.”
