It’s sealing.
Certain.
His hands tighten at my waist, pulling me flush against him as the world below us fades into nothing but green field and blue sky.
For the first time since this all began, the fear doesn’t disappear but it doesn’t overpower the feeling either.
Because loving him isn’t foolish.
It’s undeniable.
EIGHTEEN
Wild
The room is dark except for the faint glow of streetlight filtering through the curtains.
She’s curled into me, her head resting against my bare chest, one leg thrown lazily over mine. Her fingers trace slow, absentminded patterns along my stomach, and I swear I’ve never known a peace like this.
Post-sex bliss isn’t just physical.
It’s emotional.
It’s the quiet breathing. The steady rhythm of her heart against mine. The way she fits like she was meant to be here.
My fingers slide into her hair, combing through it gently.
“I’ve been thinking about everything you said this morning,” I murmur into the dark. “Especially about you being scared.”
My chest tightens just saying it.
Because I promised her she’d never need to be scared with me.
“I need to fix that.”
Her fingers keep moving, slow and lazy. “You can’t fix it, Wilder. It’s sweet though.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I can.”
She shifts slightly, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me, but I keep going.
“I’m going to talk to Kamden. To Susan. To Coach Carson.” I swallow. “I’m going to tell them we’re in love. And if they need to transfer me to a different team, I’ll pack my shit.”
She bolts upright so fast it’s like I burned her.
“What? No! Are you insane?”
I lace my hands behind my head and shrug. “Probably a little. But that’s beside the point.”
She’s staring at me like I just suggested setting the stadium on fire.
“The only way to fix your fears is to face them,” I continue. “We’ve been hiding and sneaking around for too long. This relationship shouldn’t feel like a dirty secret. It should be out in the open for everyone to see.”
She scrambles off the bed, grabbing my shirt from the floor and pulling it over her head. The fabric hangs off her shoulder, and I can’t help but think she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
She starts pacing.
“Wilder, this will end my career,” she says, shaking her head. “It will destroy my relationship with my brother. I’ll be known as the woman who fucked up Wild Calloway’s career. No. No way.”
