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Sam shakes his head and laughs. “I know how to play football.”
“Riiiiiight, you ready to go?” He looks over at me as he swipes his keys.
“Hey,” Sam says, looking over at us, “be careful.”
“We will. Bye.” I hug him as we leave and walk out to the truck into the cold night.
“What were you and my dad talking about?” he asks as he slides behind the wheel and starts it, then rubs his hands together to get warm.
“Your mom and my dad,” I say meekly.
He looks over at me and raises his eyebrows.
“Has your mom tried to reach out to you since we saw her?”
“Nope,” he says resolutely. “She probably won’t, either. And I’m okay with that. She made her choice the day she left me here. Seeing her didn’t change that, plus she’s ignored me for twelve years.”
My chest feels heavy thinking of five-year-old SJ watching his mom drive away with his little sister and leaving him behind. “I’m so sorry.” I can’t even imagine how much that had to have hurt him.
He shrugs. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the day she left. It’s one of the few memories I have of her and my sister. That’s part of why I wanted to find her so that maybe that last memory would hurt less.”
“I just don’t understand it.”
“Join the club. She said nothing to me that day. Just picked up my sister and left. I was crying and banging on the front window for her to stop and to come back, and she just turned and looked at me. Then she drove off. That’s the memory I have of my mom, Callie. Even my own mother didn’t want me. This puts into perspective why this town doesn’t even want me if my own mother didn’t,” he says with hurt in his eyes.
“Screw her and screw them,” I say angrily. “We don’t need her or either of my parents. They’re all terrible.”
SJ reaches for my hand. “I love you, Otter. We have each other. And Mrs. Winters and my dad.”
“Love you, too.” I scoot closer and lay my head on his shoulder.
now
I’m getting ready at the cabin and find a single yellow rose in a jar of water on the counter in the kitchen. SJ comes in and sets his keys and wallet down, and I’m in his arms kissing him, my arms around his neck. When his mouth covers mine, I feel like I’m home. A place that’s never felt real until now, with SJ.
“Well, hello to you, too, beautiful,” he murmurs, his fingers running through my hair that I have down in curly waves after undoing my braid.
“How was the game? Sorry I couldn’t make it. I just got off my shift, and I’m exhausted and need to shower.” I have tried to go home a few times, not wanting to overstay my welcome, but SJ has demanded I stay and even uses Harley without shame to encourage me to stay there from now on. It’s been so nice to reconnect with him and get to know him again. I look forward to waking up with him and going to bed holding hands with him.
“It’s fine. The team played great. We won 22-15.” He runs his hand up my side and stops to cup my breast. “Maybe I’ll join you in that shower,” he murmurs.
“Hey,” I ask curiously, “what’s with the yellow flower?” I nod to the single flower on the counter.
He pulls me into him. “When that one dies, I’ll know when you and Goldie need fresh ones.”
My heart melts into a puddle.
He says nothing but holds me in his arms, looking into my eyes. This is the thoughtful man I love.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you more, otter.”
“You believed in us when there was no us.”
“There’s always been an us.” He picks me up, and my legs wrap around him as he pulls me into the deepest and sexiest kiss I’ve ever had in my life. Kissing grown-up SJ is like a dream, and I hope I never wake up.
* * *
