“Would you mind if I talked to Angie?”
I glance over at her, drinking my fill of her. The time we spent apart was too much. It made me realize that my life would never be complete without her. She looks as wrecked as I am.
Alex nods at me. “We’ll give you two a minute.”
“Can I go study now?”
“Yes, you can go study. But grab a hot dog while you’re at it,” Carter yells after her brother.
Angie is glowing in the setting sun. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this happy. Now that our secret is out to her family, she doesn’t have to hide anymore. It can be the two of us together.
Linking my hand with hers, I walk us down to the shore where the tide is rolling in. Her hand is warm in mine against the cool breeze. Long brown hair is whipping around her face.
“How did you get them all here together?” Angie wraps her arms around my waist, pulling me close. Her eyes are red-rimmed.
“Once I got them all together the first time, it was easy.”
“And how’d you pull that off?”
“Easy. I called them.”
Except it was the hardest call I ever made in my life. Because if they had said no, I don’t know what I would have done.
“You called Pops, didn’t you?”
I laugh, squeezing her even closer to me. “Fuck yeah. Your dad still scares the crap out of me.”
“Once you get to know him, he’ll be okay.”
“I’m glad I have the chance.”
Angie looks up at me. She’s not wearing an ounce of makeup. This Angie might be my favorite. The one very few people get to see.
Only me.
“I’m sorry how they found out about us.” I brush my fingers over her cheek. I’m memorizing her face all over again.
“I’m glad they came to their senses,” Angie tells me. “I love you, Troy. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you.”
“I don’t know. I think you might have convinced them.”
She shakes her head. “They got to see why I love you so much. You fought for the two of us when I don’t know if I could have.”
I cup her cheeks in my hands, dropping my forehead to hers. Her skin is so soft. Agonizingly soft. I want to take her back to her place and be with her. Say fuck it to our families that are here on the beach with us.
But I can’t. At least not right now.
“I will always fight for you, Angie. Whatever happens, it’s going to be you and me.”
Angie presses up on her toes and gives me the sweetest kiss of my life. It sends heat rolling through me.
I keep it light and easy. I don’t want her dads hating me already.
Angie breaks the kiss, licking her lips. “I like the sound of that.”
“You know I won’t know where I’m going until the draft.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
