Page 104 of Remember Me

“I get it, baby, and I just want you to know I don’t care if you don’t ever remember the past. I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ll love you in the future too. I’ll never stop. You’re it for me, Lottie. Always have been, always will be.”

Her eyes glaze over, her hand reaches out to the glass, and I cover it with mine. “Go and take a seat, gorgeous, I’ve got a game to win,” I say with a wink.

She bites her lip and nods, going off to find her seat with the girls. Even if we don’t win today, I’m still counting it because I got the girl of my dreams and I am never letting her go.

After another shutout, we’re sitting pretty at the top of the division. I took a pretty heavy hit in the last period and my ribs are tender—no doubt a big old bruise is forming as we speak.

As soon as I’m dressed and press is done, I go and meet my friends and family, who are waiting for me.

I immediately cross to Lottie and pick her up in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist, and kiss her. I don’t care who’s watching. I need everyone and their mother to know this is my girl and I want—no, need—everyone to know it.

“Fuck, I love you, Lottie.”

“I love you too, superstar.”

After a night of celebrations, both with my teammates and privately in bed with Lottie, we’re walking Bella along the beach, hand in hand.

If you had told me at the beginning of the year this is where I’d be, I wouldn’t have believed you. But I couldn’t be happier to be proved wrong.

We’ve spent most of the day cuddled together in bed, looking through the postcards I sent Lottie and reminiscing about the trips I went on. I vow to take her to see all the places she wants to go—the world is our oyster.

We’re now standing watching the sunset, overlooking the ocean just like in the picture Lottie made me, and I take my chance.

“Let’s move in together.”

“Ok,” is all she says.

Ok? No fight about it, how it’s too soon? “Did you hear what I just said?”

“I did, and I agree. We practically live together already, J, so why not make it official?”

Picking her up, I twirl her in the air and bring my lips to her. Bella’s barking, wanting to join in the celebrations, and everything is just as it should be.

“I’m so happy right now, I could burst,” she says.

“I can’t believe after the year we’ve had, we’re finally together. I never thought we’d end up here”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know about that. I think we would have gotten here eventually. Love always finds a way, and a love like ours is one that’s forever.”

I’m calling it now: before the year is up, this girl will have a ring on her finger.

THE END

Epilogue

Charlotte

6 Months Later

“Happy birthday, baby!” Jake murmurs into my ear as he grinds up against me in my bed, our bed. We’ve been living together officially for the past six months, and at Christmas, we got engaged! Honestly? I couldn’t be happier.

Rolling over to face him, I’m met with chocolate-brown eyes full of love and adoration, and I’m sure he sees the same thing when he looks into mine because—boy—do I feel it.

It’s been nearly a year since my world was turned upside down, and although I haven’t recovered all my memories, I’ve focused on making brand new ones with my man.

The season finished a few days ago, with the guys missing the playoffs by a couple of points. They started off the season on a winning streak and then they were plagued by injuries and couldn’t keep it up. It’s bittersweet. I know how much Jake wanted it, but at the same time, it means I get the whole off-season with him.

There’s a knock at the door and Jake jumps out of bed to answer, pulling on a pair of sweatpants as he goes. Bella burrows under the covers and firmly claims Jake’s place. I hope he wasn’t planning to get back in bed.