“I’m not sharing my secrets with you.” I put my arm aroundher shoulders, tucking her in where she fit perfectly. “I have decades to show you.”
“Yeah. I guess you do, huh?” She squeezed me tighter. “Can’t wait to see what other deranged ideas you have for the next ten, twenty years.”
“Try longer.”
She hummed in response, and it was perfect. Sure, I had no idea if she’d ever want to get married or do the traditional thing. But Jordan wasn’t traditional. I just knew I wanted her like this, literally forever. I smiled as we walked out of the building, not an ounce of shame coming off me. She wanted to escape her brain, and I’d always be there, ready to help her.
Might’ve been a journey to get to this place, but I was glad we were here. I’d make damn sure we were always this way. She was my other half in every possible way, and all the bickering, fighting, and tension was all worth it. We always joked how we’d be in each other’s lives forever. We just never knew in what capacity, but it was clear now. I’d be with this woman until my heart stop beating. Girlfriend, partner, wife, whatever, I was hers, and I wasn’t going anywhere.
EPILOGUE
Jordan
Five years later…
Okay, so maybe I wasn’t a plant person. I frowned, staring at the very crispy, very brown succulents overtaking the little window in our kitchen. I’d bought them to be our little babies, but they were not thriving. Hell, they weren’t even surviving at this point. I looked up what to do on my phone just as the garage door opened and Preston walked in.
“Are you naked for me?” he barked out, his usual greeting. Preston wasn’t typical by any means, and neither was our relationship.
“Not yet,” I called back, noting the blip of excitement deep in my stomach. They had an away game for the Missouri Ravens hockey team—Preston played pro and loved it—and I hadn’t seen him in three days. Way too long for me. “But that can be arranged if you ask nicely.”
His footsteps thudded from the hallway to the kitchen. I loved this house we bought together once we knew he’d play in St. Louis. It was three bedrooms, three bathrooms, with a huge backyard and a living room that we made totally us. It had every possible game console, and the walls were lined with photos.
So many memories and collages. My favorite one was from when we’d graduated. It was Logan, him, and I wearing the biggest smiles ever, and it brought me so much joy. I turned in time to see him enter the room, and his face lit up like it always did.
If I learned anything from the last five years, it was that Preston (and therapy) taught me love wasn’t conditional. He showed me I didn’t have to earn love, that it was given freely. “Hi,” I said, blushing at the joy and admiration on his face. “I missed you.”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he lifted me up and set me on the counter, burying his face in my neck as he squeezed me. “Need to smell you.”
It was our joke, but it was also serious. He felt like home to me, and I smelled like home to him. I leaned into him, everything finally feeling right again. It was normal to have distance time to time, but when he was gone, my body knew it. I read once that when you were around yourperson, your body regulated more and relaxed. That was how I was with him. I just felt better. “How was the flight?”
“Fine. You weren’t there.”
“Well, I’m not needed on away games, Charming.” I tried to pull back, but he held on tighter, kissing my neck. “Plus, Mary wanted me here for the charity event.”
Oh, yeah, I worked for the same hockey team, doing PR and events. It was a dream scenario because we worked together. We didn’t cross paths on the job much, but it was still cool. Plus,when families traveled with the team, it was usually legal families. Not girlfriends.
“I want you on the plane.” He glanced up, his eyes softening as he stared at me. “You look beautiful, damn.” He scanned me, his lips curving. “Come here.”
He cupped the back of my neck, pulling me closer before he kissed me. It was a hi, welcome home, let’s get naked sorta kiss, laced with a lot of love and possibly frustration. He nipped my lip, a deep growl leaving his chest, and I stilled him with a hand over his heart.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, studying his expressions. We spoke for an hour last night, FaceTiming until I fell asleep, so if something bothered him, it had happened this morning.
“Nothing.” He pushed off the counter, away from me, and paced the kitchen. He stilled, staring at the window. “Our plants are dead.’
“Yes, I was trying to figure out the best way to save them, but you’re a shit liar, Preston. Tell me what’s going on.”
He shook his head, sighing as he stared at me. “It doesn’t matter. It’s something I’ll get over on my own, okay? I don’t want you worrying about it.”
“Uh, what?” I jumped off the counter, my temper flaring. “You know I can’t handle a response like that. Of course, I’m gonna worry. I’m worried now.”
“What if we cuddled naked for a bit first?” he asked, his voice raising an octave as he gave me a sheepish smile.
“Preston, what’s wrong? Please tell me. Did I do something to upset you?” Even though I felt secure and stronger, my insecurity about pushing him away flared up from time to time.He’s not leaving you. He loves you. He’s with you.
“No, baby, you didn’t.” His tone softened as he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even said anything.”
“But you did.” I played with the end of my shirt, the hem suddenly super interesting.
