41. Chapter 32

Since my conversations with my aunt, Josh, and then the Tea Time post clearing up the "kiss," I've thought long and hard about what I want. The conclusion was easier to come to than I thought it would be. I am hopelessly in love with Josh Owens. Yes, that scares me, but I'm realizing that not having him in my life scares me even more. Just the thought of him not in my life chills me to the bone.

The last time I talked to him, he told me he loved me, but I haven't heard from him since. Talk about giving a girl mixed messages. Granted, I was the one who told him that I couldn't think about it, and as much as I hate it, I know that if he had pushed, I would've just run. It's not what I'm used to hearing from him or Susie, but it was what I needed. Warmth fills my body as I realize how well he knows me.

In one of our few conversations since Tea Time, Susie filled me in a bit on what was happening so I wasn't completely in the dark. She also let me know that he wanted to reach out but was leaving the ball in my court. Knowing this leaves me feeling empowered and terrified because he's giving me all the control to make a decision.

My heart races, knowing that I've decided where I want things to go, and my stomach flutters as the butterflies start to move around, knowing I'm going to see Josh in a little bit. We haven't talked much since he told me he loved me, but he did text to ask if he could pick me up and drive me to school.

Today is the day all of the kids, both small and large varieties, also known as teachers, have been waiting for. Josh and some Mavericks players are coming for track and field day. The excitement has been so palpable that the building and the people in it have been vibrating all week. I understand the feeling but for entirely different reasons.

I grab my jacket and bag. The first thing I see when I open my front door is Josh leaning with his back on his truck, and his arms crossed over his chest. The crooked grin on his face, with his dancing eyes, has my knees turning to jelly. If I were any warmer, I'd melt into a pool of water right in the middle of my porch.

A silly grin makes its way across my face, and my heart starts to pound so loud that it's the only thing I hear. The butterflies in my stomach are now a frenzied storm as they try to fly straight to Josh. As I head down the steps, Josh pushes himself off the truck.

"Hey you," his husky voice runs through my body, making the butterflies in my stomach swoop as he meets me on the sidewalk.

"Hey," I push the words through a mouth that is suddenly dry. He lightly touches my lower back, sending tingles through my body, and opens the passenger-side door for me. When I climb in, his smile gets a notch brighter, and I can't stop myself from smiling back.

He closes the door and walks around the front of the truck. My eyes follow him the entire way, and when he gets in, our eyes meet, and a zing runs through my whole body. He's the first to look away and start the car.

"Excited?" He asks and glances in my direction.

"Excited?" I echo back, narrowing my eyes at him and trying to figure out what he's talking about.

"For track and field."

"Track and field," I repeat after him again. "Oh yeah. The kids have been bouncing off the walls all week."

"But what about you, Brie?" He gives me a quick side glance before looking back toward the road. The smirk on his face has every nerve ending in my body humming.

"How could I not be affected by the kids" enthusiasm?" A pregnant silence fills the car as we continue to the elementary school. I have so much I want to say, but I'm unsure where to start. I feel the tension build in my shoulders as I try to find the words to tell Josh what conclusion I've come to—to tell him that I want to be with him.

"Josh—" I look at him, ready to tell him how I feel, when I notice all the kids outside. "Wait. What's going on?"

"What? What's the matter?" Concern lines his face as he glances at me.

"First off, the kids aren't usually here this early, and second, they are definitely never outside. Actually, no one is ever outside." My eyes widen as I try to figure out what is happening. "What is going on?"

I'm still staring, completely lost in my thoughts, that I jump when Josh opens the door for me. I didn't realize he had parked. I unconsciously place my hand in his and get out of the truck. I'm so focused on this unusual turn of events that I don't notice he hasn't let go of my hand.

As I get closer, I see that the kids are holding up letters. My feet suddenly feel like lead as the letters the kids hold start forming words. My heart races and warmth spreads through my body as the words form sentences. The back of my eyes burn with tears as I read the message the kids are holding up.

"I LOVE YOU, MISS WOODBURY. TAKE A CHANCE ON ME?"

I freeze and turn back to look up at Josh, who is looking down at me with a hopeful expression. His eyes beam at me and his smile is slightly crooked. "What do you say, Miss Woodbury?"

My eyes roam over his face wanting to take in every inch of his handsome expression as I intend to remember this moment.

"Yes," I whisper, and then more firmly. "Yes."

Josh's laugh runs through my body as he picks me up and spins me around. I hear the teachers, kids and players clapping and cheering.

"I love you," I whisper in his ear. He freezes and puts me down, then cups the sides of my face with both hands and catches my eyes.

"Can you repeat that please?" The vulnerable expression on his face makes my breath catch and my heart skip a beat. I place my hands on his wrists. My face is going to split from the smile stretching it.

"I said, I love you, Josh Owens." The smile that breaks out across his face makes my heart stutter. He leans in and his lips just brush mine before I hear him whisper.

"Just remember who said it first." I'm about to tease him back when he presses his lips to mine, and any thought that I may have had immediately floats away. His hands slide from my face to my hair as he deepens the kiss. I swear I'm melting.

"Ummhmm." A loud voice startles us and we jump away from each other only to see Adam's smiling face. "There are children present."

We both sheepishly look around us, and everyone starts to laugh while some of the kids dramatically yell, "Gross!". As I look back at Josh and see the love shining in his eyes, I can't help but wish we didn't have a bunch of people watching our every move right now.

I grab his hand, pull him toward the kids, and work to distract myself by focusing on the upcoming track and field games. "You're going down, Owens," I tease.

He chuckles at me and whispers in my ear, "Too late for that, Brie; I've already fallen." At his words, I trip, and he catches me. "Don't worry, I've got you. Always."

I stop again, and the sincerity in his words warms every limb of my body. My eyes pass over his face again. My gratitude for this man's love for me is beyond expression. Just as I'm leaning in to kiss him again, a voice over a megaphone interrupts my forward movement.

"Come on, you two!" Principal Monroe yells. "We have to get the games started."

I beam at Josh and entwine his hand with mine as I follow the line of people headed into the gymnasium. I can't keep the grin off my face as I realize that I will have all the time in the world to kiss this man by my side.