Page 98 of Melt His Heart

“I love you,” I whisper, my eyes stinging. I don’t know why I’m crying, I just feel so overwhelmed in the best way.

“I love you too.”

“Aww, baby, are you crying?” Carson says, trying to hold my face in his hands.

“No! I am not!” I turn away, and Carson starts leaving kisses all over my face, making me giggle. He pulls me into his body, spooning me.

“You know what I kept forgetting to ask you during all of our pillow talks?” I say.

“What is it?”

“You never told me your Korean name.” He sits up on his elbow and perches his head in his palm, “Really?”

I shake my head.

“It’s Jaeyoung.”

Jaeyoung.

“That suits you,” I whisper into his lips before giving him a soft kiss.

Chapter 32

It’s my last weekend in New Jersey, and it’s been a tough week. I’ve cried almost every day, and I’m sure I’ll cry more leading up to the very day of my flight. I can hear Liam and Carson’s footsteps as they race around Carson’s penthouse. Getting everything ready for my going-away party that I told them both I didn’t want. I was afraid it would make me even sadder. But they insisted, saying it also doubles as a party to celebrate my making podium; Liam whined that we never got to truly celebrate together, so I said ok. I just hope I can keep it together and not cry in front of everyone.

I try to fluff my hair up a bit more in the mirror, Jules jumps into my lap, and I give him scratches behind his ears. I’m going to miss his little purrs. I’ve been hiding out, getting ready in Carson’s bathroom. I peek out into the hallway as people start arriving. I can hear Dillan and Avery yelling from here. Always the two loudest in the room, well, maybe Liam has them beat.

“Hey Champ!” Avery yells, pulling me into a hug when I finally come out into the living room that’s decorated with black and pink balloons. There’s a cake on the table with a picture of me kissing my silver medal, I’m hoping to turn into gold at the Olympics.

“Hey, Avery.” I chuckle.

“It’s good to see you, cutie,” He grins.

“Avery,” Carson warns, still blowing up a balloon.

“Jesus Christ, can’t I compliment the guy?”

“Fuck no. Go get the drinks, please. Make yourself useful, you haven’t scored in three games.” Carson retorted, making me and Sam laugh.

Avery’s been having a tough couple of games leading up to the playoffs, but the boys are expected to make it to the finals. When they do, I’ll certainly be coming back to support Carson. Though he told me not to, to just focus on spending time with my parents before my Olympic training starts. I’ve already got so many obligations waiting for me back home since becoming my country’s biggest hope for gold. This is going to be the toughest era of my career, but I don’t care. I know how much it would mean to him, and there’s no way I’m missing it.

“Congrats, buddy!” Sam chuckles as Avery walks off toward the drinks.

“Thank you, Sam, and thanks for putting the watch party together, that was very kind of you.”

“Of course! You kicked ass, Dillan almost broke the fucking table when you made that last jump,” He says, and Carson laughs, “my wife wanted to kill us.”

“Hey! That table can definitely hold me!” Dillan scoffs from the other side of the room, where Carson has him putting up garland.

“Well, I’m glad you guys made it without breaking anything,” I chuckle.

“Congratulations, Julian,” Kane says.

“Thank you,” I say, looking over to Carson just in time to catch him rolling his eyes.

After Kelly and Kevin return with more alcohol, we all get settled in, everyone chatting in different corners of the room. I stand off to the side in the kitchen, watching everyone. How did I even come to mean anything to half the people here? I bite my lip, thinking how I can’t believe they even showed up for me.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Carson says behind me, sending me into the air.