“I played football in high school” he says defensively, “a man can have more than one interest.”
Tash giggles and places the ball to the side, along with all the other gifts we have stacked up next to the fireplace. “What do you guys say about starting dinner? I’m fucking starving.”
The group stands up, making their way towards the dining room but Chris grabs my shoulder and holds me back. To say I’m shitting my pants right now would be an understatement.
“You fight for her, you hear me?” He says sternly, “you fight for her like you’ve never fought before. She loves you, and whether you prove it to her or not, she’ll come back.”
“I will always be the man she deserves. Her and I are the same, we get one another” I promise him.
“You and her are not the same. You andI, however, are.”
I look at him confused,what the hell is that supposed to mean?
He sighs, “I was a mess when I first met Tash, her and I weren’t always this power couple who could get through anything. I was a jerk, aselfishjerk who was high on all the attention I was getting from hockey. No matter how much I pushed her away, or how hard I fought her, she stayed with me.” He looks towards the kitchen, watching Tash carefully as she rubs her pregnant stomach and laughs at something Sam says. “I put her through hell, and even though I totally didn’t deserve a second, thirdorfourth chance… she gave them to me.”
Wow, he must have been one gigantic asshole to be given multiple chances.
“You and I are the ones who destroy, we hurt so we won’t be hurt. Claire’s the type of person to smile through the pain, to let herself get hurt so those around her won’t feel bad about themselves.”
She is, she’s the light I’ve needed in my life since I was a little kid. She makes everything better. Her laugh, her smile, it’s everything I need in life. It’s like a breath of fresh air, it’s like that first breath after being under water for a little too long.
“So take care of her, fight for her, and make sure you don’t let her down again because she’ll give you infinite chances.” He pats me on the shoulder and walks off, leaving me to let it all sink in.
He doesn’t have anything to worry about though, I don’t plan on fucking things up ever again.
I look at Claire, admiring the way her hair falls in soft curls, and the way she laughs so carelessly with her family. Sam and Tash may not be related by blood, but they’re sure as hell the closest thing to family she has.
Her mom isn’t here, and even though I may not like her for everything she put Claire through, I can’t help but feel bad that she couldn’t come. The divorce is hard on her, so she flew out to Italy or some shit to visit a friend for support.
I join the others at the table and we dive into the food that Tash cooked earlier this afternoon. Everything is amazing, but I kind of wish my friends could be here with us.
When we’re done eating, Claire takes me out back to the patio and we snuggle up under a blanket to look at the stars.
“I’m glad you came” she says, eyes on the sky.
“I’m glad I came too, I think Chris is finally starting to come around.” He may have given me that big ass speech, but he wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t want to give me a chance.
“I love you” Claire whispers, folding her arm over me and snuggling into my side.
I kiss the top of her head, happy to have her in my life and forever grateful that she’s mine, “I love you too.”
Lucas from a couple months ago would have never believed me if I told him that we’re spending Christmas at Chris Taylors house, with my girlfriend, who also happens to be the girl he hated. I’m pretty sure he would laugh in my face and tell me to fuck off.
This feels like a dream, but one I never want to wake up from.
“So what’s the plan after we graduate?” She asks me.
“I don’t know, that feels like ages away, but I do know we’ll figure it out. We’ve made it this far… I’m pretty sure we can make it through anything.”
She smiles up at me, that cute little dimple on full display.
epilogue
LUCAS
My phone rings, and I jump across the bed to get it. My hands shake as I answer the call, hoping to god it’s good news.
“Hi, could I speak with Lucas please?” The woman says.
