Soon, Rosie nods off and I lay her down and tuck a blanket around her before making my way back up to my room. As I settle into bed, my phone buzzes and when I look at it, I’m surprised to find a message from Rylee.
I hesitate a moment before opening it, and as I read, my eyes go wide and my heart starts to race. Her words are heartfelt and vulnerable, and… and I believe everything she says. That’s she’s working on herself… that she recognizes she has a problem.
She’s really trying to make things right.
Rylee: I’ll be home on the 2nd, and if you want to meet me, I’d really like to see you. And… I love you. No matter what. I always will.
She loves me. Fuck… I reread that part of her message again. Then a third time. The words are like a physical blow, ones I never realized how much I needed her. Then it hits me. That’sthe real reason why I’ve held myself back, out of fear she didn’t feel the same way I felt about her. I’ve been wanting her to feel this way about me for so long now, and as I stare down at her text, I realize that I don’t want to lose her. Not after everything we’ve been through together.
She’ll be back in three days.
Maybe… maybe Rosie’s right and it’s time I tried to meet Rylee halfway.
Those three days go by so fast it’s like blinking my eyes.
January 2nd is here. I pace back and forth outside the arrivals area in the Nashville airport. I can hardly believe I’m here, waiting for her. But at the same time, deep down I always knew that I couldn’t stay away.
Glancing through the crowd, I try to spot her, but there are so many people coming and going. Don’t they understand how significant this moment is? Can’t they get out of the way so I can fucking find her?
My heart is hammering in my chest when I see her at last. Even in a rumpled white sweater, black leggings, with her blonde hair pulled back into a long ponytail, she’s still absolutely stunning.
God, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.
She’s walking through the Nashville airport terminal, moving with the crowd, looking down at her phone as she approaches the baggage carousel. She hasn’t noticed me, yet, so I rush forward when I spot her bag and grab it before she can get hold of it.
“Hey, asshole! That’s mine… ” She jerks her gaze up, her eyes flashing with irritation, but she freezes when she sees that it’s me standing in front of her.
“Zander,” she gasps.
“Hey,” I murmur. We don’t say anything else for several moments and just stare at each other.
Fuck, I missed her. I didn’t realize just how big of a piece of me has been missing without her, but standing here with her, I feel whole again.
“I… I’m sorry,” she stammers. “I’m so sorry. I was wrong, and I know you might not forgive me, but I wanted you to know what I really think of you.” She drops her messenger bag and digs through it before pulling out a thin stack of papers. “This is the article I really wrote. Therealarticle I submitted before my coworker did… well, what she did. It’s going to be released this week, but I’d like you to read it first.”
I furrow my brow, looking from the paper to her. “Read it to me.”
She blinks, looking taken aback, but then nods.
“Okay… um,” she holds up the paper and clears her throat. “At first glance…” she paused, starts again. She’s nervous. “At first glance, Zander Caldwell is exactly the kind of man you’d expect to be playing in the NHL. He’s big, muscular, and a little intimidating at first sight. It’s only when you talk to him that you realize there’s more to the man than his impressive physique.” She pauses and shoots me a hesitant look. I just nod to encourage her to continue. “Underneath the beard, muscles, and raw talent, there is a guy with a heart of gold. A loyal friend, a loving son, an adoring brother, and… ”
She stops again, choking on her words. My heart is racing and I’m struggling to draw in breath as I watch her.
“And?” I prompt, trying not to choke up.
A small sob escapes her. “And… and… anyone would be lucky to have him in their life. I know my time with him has been transformative, and I’ll never be the same after being with him… ”
Rylee trails off, tears shining in her green eyes as she looks at me. Before I have the chance to pull her close or say anything, she starts talking again, so fast I can barely keep up. “Zander, I should have never written that journal entry to begin with! I should have talked to you. Worked things out the right way. You are the kindest, most genuine person I have ever met. You wear your heart on your sleeve and never doubted yourself or your feelings for me and if it wasn't for you, there would have never been an us. You once told me that my confidence intimidated you but you had it all wrong. It was you that intimidated me, terrified me.”
She moves closer to me. Tears are running down her cheeks now.
“Because deep down…” Her breathing is ragged. “I knew what it would feel like to know someone like you and then lose them, and it was terrifying. But it doesn't matter, because for you, I'll face my fears, my demons, sacrifice it all… because you're it for me Zander. I love you. And even if you never feel the same way about me ever again, and don't forgive me, I won't give up. Because for me, it will only ever be you… and… and…”
I can’t hold back anymore. Cupping her face in both my hands, I pull her in and cut her off with a deep, hungry kiss. She whimpers and wraps her arms around me, kissing me back with an eagerness that makes my blood run hot in an instant.
We kiss for a long time. Longer than what’s probably polite for public, but obviously, I don’t give a fuck, and neither does she.
When I do pull back, I press my forehead to hers and whisper, “I missed you so much, and of course I forgive you. I love you, Rylee. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
