Page 75 of Last Slice of Pie

“That’s because you were preoccupied and this is now my third piece. Seriously, it’s a good thing I like to run a lot, because Coach would be pissed if I came back twenty pounds heavier.”

“Hey, don’t hate on the pie. It’s not the pie’s fault you can’t control yourself and have made it your new life’s mission to consume it all.” She smirks.

I turn a little so she’s standing in front of me. “If I don’t eat it, it goes to waste.”

“Waste, riiiiight. You do realize we can have leftovers?”

Leftovers, riiiiight.

What she doesn’t realize is, I eat the pie, one, because it’s good, and two, because I know how much she enjoys making them. Yes, it’s a backward way to show her love, but that’s what I’m doing. She makes the pies to give love, and I eat them to show love. It’s a win-win cycle for both of us—well, maybe except for the extra thousand calories and eighty grams of sugar daily, but who’s counting.

“You’re right, we can have leftovers, but they taste so good. You know I love your pies.” I tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes light up as she looks at me, and I can’t help but set down the plate and fork to wrap my arms around her. The kitten barely moves; he loves Lexi, but not as much as I do.

“Are you excited for the mini camps next week?” she asks as she snuggles closer, laying her head on my chest.

“I’m excited for the draft this Thursday. I know the front office has had their eye on a couple of wide receivers, and they’re negotiating hard to move up in the draft order.”

“That would be great,” she murmurs, humming a bit as I start rubbing my hands up and down her back. Her T-shirt is soft, thin, and I can feel each bump of her spine.

“Yeah, I’m ready—ready to get on the field with whoever it is and get to work.” We know this means less time together, but we’re both okay with it. I know we’ll make it.

“I’m going to miss Jack,” she says. I rest my chin on top of her head. She’s staring off toward the tree, and it’s hard to look away. I swear the flickering lights have multiplied fourfold.

“No one more than me.”

I’d like to say Jack is doing okay given the circumstances and all, but I’m not sure. Talking on the phone has never been my thing, but we do text each other frequently. Mostly, it’s sarcastic jabs back and forth, but occasionally he lets something slip. I do my best to read between the lines of his words, but that only gets me so far. It would be different if I saw him on a regular basis, but I don’t. As soon as he was up and slightly mobile, he packed up himself and Zeus and took off to do his rehabilitation somewhere else.

“I’m going to head in and get ready for bed,” she mumbles through a yawn. “Put this little guy to bed.” She lifts him next to her face and nuzzles him.

“Okay, I’m not far behind you.” I brush my lips across the top of her head.

She takes a step back, and I drop my arms. I look down at her as she pushes up on her toes and kisses me sweetly.

So sweet.

Damn, she’s beautiful.

My heart sighs with contentment as I watch her walk back into the house.

This house. Her house. Our house. My house.

It’s crazy to think that almost eleven years ago, I slipped out early one morning without saying goodbye and placed all my dreams not in fate’s hands, but my own. I had to believe that if I worked hard enough, long enough, one day I would be good enough, and here I am.

Do I regret how I left things between us for the last ten years? Sure. I always will, but we wouldn’t be who we are if things had been different, and I love who we’ve both become.

Now, as life has settled us into this next chapter, I no longer feel the need to run a hundred miles an hour to conquer the world. I want to stand here, next to her, until the cows come home.

Home.

With the true love of my life.

It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, the best thing that will ever happen.

She’s my opposite in every way, but that makes life fun, and she definitely keeps me on my toes. Sure, sometimes she and I can be like oil and water, not mixing and separating quickly, but other times we’re completely compatible and we blend together perfectly. I appreciate how she makes me not take life so seriously, and in return I can ground her when things feel insane.

I chuckle as I think about the word insane. I’m certain people are going to call me insane for what comes next, but I don’t care. To the world it’s only been six months, but in reality, it’s been years.