Theo hummed in acknowledgement, but didn’t say anything else. I was about to ask him what was on his mind when he spoke again.
“I think I want to become a substance abuse counselor.”
My head snapped up and I gaped at him, not expecting that reveal. “Are you serious?”
Theo chewed on his lip and gave me a wary glance. “Yeah. I thought about it on and off while I was in rehab, but lately the idea keeps coming to me. I really want to become a therapist ultimately, but I think getting my license for substance abuse and chemical dependency counseling first would be smart.”
“What do you want to do with that specifically?”
“Actually…I’ve been thinking about working in a facility like Harbor House, but for teenagers,” he admitted quietly. “I had such shitty experiences during rehab when I was younger, but I’ve seen the difference agoodtreatment center can make. Fuck, I’m living it! I want to try to give kids like me a chance at getting real help…give them hope and show them that it does get better.”
My eyes stung as I saw the passion spark in his, the determination in his gaze unmistakable. “Baby, I think that’s an incredible idea.”
“Yeah?” The shy grin on his face made my heart stutter.
“Absolutely. It seems like a perfect fit for you.”
He pecked a kiss to my lips and squeezed me to him. I was so fucking proud of him for not giving up and finding a goal to work towards, especially after all that happened the last several months. When Theo had to take a short mental health leave of absence from UT, I was worried it would derail his progress and he wouldn’t have the drive to complete his degree, but I could see just how much this idea meant to him.
“What about you, babe? Have any ideas of what you want to do after graduation?”
I untangled myself from his arms to sit up beside him, taking his hand in mine and fiddling with his fingers.
“You remember the bassist that helped me out with your Homecoming, Dante?” I asked and he bobbed his head. “Well, he’s one of Mom’s friends who owns this record label in Austin. He started it up a few years ago and it’s doing really well lately. He called me a couple of days ago and asked if I wanted to start interning with him soon and if all goes well, I would transition to assistant creative producer within a year.”
“Woah, are you serious?”
“Yep,” I beamed. “He wants to expand eventually and needs a second creative producer to come on board, so he’s willing to train me until I can fully take over the position. I mean, Mom definitely had a big hand in him even considering me, but I’m not going to knock it. This is exactly what I want to do.”
“Babe, that’s fucking huge!” he exclaimed, slapping me lightly on the bicep. “How did you sit on that news for two days and not tell me?”
“Well, I was a little busy preparing for the playoff game,” I replied dryly, “but I also wanted to wait and tell you when we were on this mini vacation. I figured if the team lost and we were going to be here anyway, I might as well go big and give us something to celebrate at least.”
Theo snorted and slung his arm around my shoulder, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“No offense babe, but us talking about our career plans is great and all, but it’s not exactly big. Now, when I get my license and you get that promotion to producer,thenwe’ll have something to celebrate.”
“Oh, I wasn’t talking about that.” He cocked his head at me curiously, but I continued before he could say anything. “You know, I have a ring to give to you. Hold on.”
Theo had given me my old class ring yesterday before the playoff game. He thought that since I wore it when we won the championship back in December, it could be my good luck charm. Obviously, it hadn’t worked for the game, but it did work out perfectly for my plan. He let out a sound of protest when I slid off the bed.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going? You can give it back to me later. Get your sexy ass back here so we can go for round two.”
I tossed a smirk over my shoulder before digging in my bag for what I needed, hiding it behind my back as I sauntered over to him. I came over to his side and threw my leg over him to straddle his lap. I smoothed my fingers over his jaw, taking in every inch of his gorgeous face…the one I wanted to look at for the rest of my life.
He leaned in to kiss me, but I held out the ring box that was in my hand, freezing him in place. His wide eyes were pinned on the box and he stopped breathing.
“I thought after all these years, you deserved a bit of an upgrade,” I murmured, slowly opening the box to reveal the ring inside.
Theo inhaled sharply, his fingertips sinking into my waist as if trying to ground himself. He gingerly pulled the band free, studying the intricate Damascus pattern of the dark silver steel.He looked up at me with glassy, blue eyes and I cradled his face, swiping at the lone tear that escaped.
“We can wait until you’re ready, but I can’t wait another second to have my ring on your finger. I know that no day is guaranteed to us and we’ve already lost so much time. You are the one constant in my life, the one person I can never be without. My heart has been yours since the day I met you. My life, my very existence doesn’t make sense without you, and I don’t want another day to go by where I’m not by your side.”
“Dawson…” Theo choked out, gripping my wrists and leaning into my touch.
“I had all your firsts and I’ll be damned if I don’t get all your lasts too, baby. Will you marry me, Theo Bishop?”
Theo flipped us so fast my head spun, his lips coming down on mine in a blistering kiss. He was the first to break for air, warm puffs of air feathering over my swollen lips.
