Page 72 of Drop Pass

Now that I knew life with her, I never wanted to go back. I wanted her forever.

I paused in the middle of the lobby. Brassard walked into me. “Dude, move.”

I stepped aside and rubbed my hands over my face.

I really cared for her. I wanted to be with her.

Sure, she’d told the team we were together when we arrived at the Christmas party, but we never talked about it.

I needed her to know what she meant to me. I had to know she felt the same.

As if I wasn’t already in a rush to get home, now I was counting down the seconds.

* * *

I stepped into the room and Mama squealed as she got up from a chair next to Yula’s bed and gave me a hug. “You’re back!”

I squeezed her back before moving to Yula’s side. She gave me a small smile. “How are you?”

“I’m on level twelve.” She rotated the tablet in her hands. “Lucy said she hasn’t been able to get past seven.”

Her giggle helped me relax. I looked around the room. There were boardgames, magazines, and DVD cases on every surface. “Have you guys been having fun?”

Mama laughed. “Those women won’t stop bring things in. Every time they visit, they have something else.”

That made me feel better. They were being taken care of.

“It makes the day go by faster,” Yula said while still looking down at her game.

“You’re back.” Elena whispered behind me. I spun and she rushed into my arms. I’d only been gone for a day, but I held her like it had been months.

“I missed you,” I said against her hair.

She nodded into my chest. “Me too.”

“Get a room you two,” Chloe said with a smirk as she walked by me and tossed another magazine on the bed. “I found another cooking one.”

Mama picked it up and gave her a quick nod. “Thank you.”

I looked down at Elena and knew I couldn’t wait another second. “Do you mind if we step out for a minute?”

Mama and Chloe waved us off and I took Elena’s hand, leading her to the end of the hall to a wall of windows that overlooked the downtown area.

“I’m sorry this isn’t the best place, but I wanted to talk to you.”

Her eyes darkened and her shoulders tensed. “Is everything okay?”

I realized what I said and shook my head. “Yeah, sorry that came out wrong.” She relaxed an inch but I could tell she was still worried. “I realized some things while I was gone.”

“Yeah?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Yeah. I realized how much better my life is with you in it. I realized I was a fool for trying to push you away. You make me better. You showed me that we’re stronger as a team and that I can lean on you. I don’t always have to be the strong one when you’re around. I always thought it was my responsibility to take care of everyone around me. I don’t have to do that with you. You’re strong and independent, but you also let me take care of you sometimes. And sometimes you take care of me.”

I sighed. “I don’t know if I’m saying this right.”

She smiled up at me. “It’s perfect. I’m so grateful I have you in my life too.”

I stared down at her. “I can’t imagine life without you in it now. I don’t want to.”