The tears come before I can stop them.
“I love you too,” I whisper. The words feel fragile but certain, like they’ve been waiting for this moment to finally belong somewhere.
He exhales before resting his forehead against mine. “Good,” he murmurs. “Because I don’t ever want you doubting it again.”
Steam curls thicker around us. He slides his arms around me again and lifts me from the counter, carrying me to the tub. He sets me down first before stripping off the rest of his clothes, then climbing in behind me. He pulls me in his arms, and I settle against him, my back pressed to his front.
“I spent too long running from the things that mattered,” he says softly. “But I’m not running anymore. I’m not going anywhere, not without you. You’re all I want.Thisis all I want.”
He’s the calm after every storm, the future, and the happy ending I’ve been searching for. And for once, the future doesn’t scare me.
Chapter Thirty
Tessa
The sound of a drawer sliding shut pulls me from sleep. For a few seconds, I keep my eyes closed, trying to hold that warmth from the night before. I roll over, stretching under the covers. The room is dim except for the gray morning light sneaking through the blinds, slicing across the bare walls and the stack of unopened boxes in the corner.
Clay moves across the room, already dressed in a pair of dark denim jeans that fit him like a glove and a team pullover. His hair is still damp from the shower I’m assuming he took this morning, considering the sweat we worked up before we finally crashed last night.
“Morning,” I mumble, my voice rough with sleep.
He glances over his shoulder and smiles. “Hey, Sug. Didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t,” I lie, pushing up on one elbow. “What time is it?”
“Little after six.” He adjusts his sleeve, checking his watch. “I’m going to head in early to watch a film before an early skate with the guys. I was planning to wake you before I left, though. Wanted to make sure you were up in time for class.”
“Mmm,” I hum, already sinking back into the pillow. “Now you’re starting to sound like my dad.”
He laughs under his breath. “If that’s the case, then I’m doing something wrong.”
When he leans down to grab his bag, I reach out and catch his wrist. “Come here.”
He bends closer, and I press my lips to his, slow and soft. His hand settles against the side of my neck, thumb tracing my jaw before he pulls away.
“Stay as long as you want,” he murmurs. “Just don’t forget to grab the key I left by your phone on the counter and lock up after you. You should probably check your notifications, though...”
That wakes me up a little. “What?”
He nods toward the kitchen. “It’s on the counter. Wouldn’t stop buzzing. Figured you forgot to plug it in last night.”
I groan quietly, rubbing my eyes. “Great.”
He chuckles, straightening. “I’m heading out. Coffee’s ready. You just have to hit the switch.”
I sit up a little, blanket slipping down my chest. “You sure you can’t stay for breakfast?”
He pauses mid-step, eyes dragging over me in a way that makes heat crawl up my neck. “You asking if I want breakfast… or are you the breakfast?”
I smirk, tugging the blanket to the side, spreading my legs open. “Depends. You hungry?”
His jaw tightens, that low sound in his throat giving him away before the smile does. “Don’t start, Sug.”
“What? What did I do?” I tease even though we both know I don’t have to.
He exhales, muttering a curse under his breath as he slings his duffel over his shoulder. “There’s a sandwich in the fridge for you. Figured if I didn’t make it, you’d forget to eat.”
“Such a gentleman.” I grin.
