109

Ryan

Epilogue

The game that would decide everything was tied in the last quarter. We had our final chance in overtime, with everybody screaming from the stands. If we lost, that was it. That was the end. In the huddle, I could taste my mouth guard. It was that adrenaline that snapped everything into focus.

I didn't have anything clouding my judgment anymore. It was the first away game that Kassie could attend with finals wrapped up. I didn't have any doubts anymore, I didn't have any worries. We'd fucking annihilate them.

With seconds left on the clock, I practically tore up the field and two players gained pace, right on me. One tried from the side and I veered to the left, barely skimming past him, off to the goalpost in sight. I didn't know I even crossed the line until everyone screamed even louder.

" FUCKING DID IT! " Adam grabbed the back of my helmet the moment I hit the ground. They weren't just going apeshit in the stands, my team rushed to the end zone and piled on. Overwhelming was the wrong word, I could barely hear myself think.

" FOUR-A-CROSS, FOUR-A-CROSS, FOUR-A-CROSS! "

I should have run off to Coach Lawson and the guys. There were clear expectations set for me. I knew them by heart. We had sponsorships to take photos with, team pictures to post, and interviews to give, but fuck those expectations.

I should have. I didn't. Easy as that.

Pushing past everybody, I made my path toward the bleachers. All I focused on was my art girl.

"That's right, that's fucking right!" she shouted at me.

Kassie held up her homemade sign for me, a big number four, and even if I was exhausted and even if my body hurt, I stepped up to the seats and held out my hand to the railing. People streamed out on either side of her but she hurried to meet me, ducking down. Her eyes sparkled and a breathless laugh escaped her.

I took her face in my hands before any second thoughts. Confetti exploded over us and dark blue pieces fluttered down the second I captured her lips with mine.

"I'm so proud of you," she breathed out until I kissed her again, knotting my fingers in her hair.

Someone hit the seats next to me and I glanced to see Adam, nodding off towards everyone else. "Captain, I hate to break up the two of you swapping spit but—"

"I am so proud of you," Kassie interjected, turning my face back towards hers. Her eyes softened. "I'm so proud of you, baby."

I stroked her face again. "Thank you for doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Being here. All I want is you, right here." I kissed her again. "And I'm going to appreciate every time I get that."

That's what it was after all. Kassie and I had different paths we wanted to take but that didn't mean I'd lose my art girl. It meant I had to change things I thought I could never compromise. All for her. My art girl would graduate college, join an animation studio somewhere, and we'd probably end up with two keys, two schedules, two houses to keep coming back to.

And she would always have a home to come back to. I'd make sure of that.

Another voice interrupted us—King's. "Adam, I thought you were getting him?"

"They're too busy grossing me out."

Kassie sighed and gently pushed me away. "You're getting called away."

I nodded and stepped off the seats, taking my place with the guys. I grinned up at her. "I love you, art girl."

"Go get ‘em, ball dribbler." She blew kisses at me and my chest tightened.

That's my girl.

It was one of those games you save your mugs from. The lockers were a madhouse, the parking lot was packed, and every other second, somebody yanked me back to flash a picture. The real party was set at a lodge with the coaches and everyone who came along for the away game.

The place swelled with every football player we could cram inside. I could understand if Kassie was tired, or if she wasn't in the mood for socializing, but she was everything I could've asked for and more. She laughed at all the jokes, wrapped an arm around my waist for every video, and squeezed my hand back when I squeezed hers.

How did I get so lucky?

At the end of the night, a few of us piled in the backyard of the hotel, lounging in the chairs that surrounded the pool. It was a cold December evening, and I had Kassie sitting between my thighs, relaxing against me.

"There's a law student with a clit piercing coming in an hour. Nobody's going to be able to reach me." Adam grinned before he popped the bottle of champagne. He pointed the bottle at Kassie and me. "How long are you two staying here?"

"He needs to get to sleep," Kassie murmured and glanced back at me.

The moment we walked upstairs to the bedroom, we weren't sleeping, but I didn't argue. I buried my face in her neck, pulling her closer. I placed a quick kiss at the base of her throat. "We'll probably leave when you do."

"What are we up to tomorrow?" June asked, crossing her legs. "How much free time did they give you?"

I shrugged. "I have the day off tomorrow."

Everyone was silent for a moment until Adam spoke. "Bullshit."

King burst into quiet laughter but it was the truth. Without the demands for the draft, I asked Cleo if I could have the day off and I landed it. A free day with Kassie, out of Houston, where we could just fuck off and enjoy ourselves.

"I have to go shopping," Kassie admitted, reaching back to stroke my hair. "My wardrobe isn't going to cut it for the Cross's place."

I locked my arms around her and held her close. Our first Christmas together. My siblings had bothered the hell out of me for the whole semester to meet Kassie and now she'd get the full treatment to learn I was the only quiet one in my family. It was going to be a huge pain in the ass and a lot to deal with. I couldn't wait.

The guys started arguing about the game and I listened before Kassie tilted to look up at me. My girlfriend ran her fingertips down my jaw. "Ready to go to bed?"

"We can sleep in," I murmured.

"Holy shit. I don't know if our bodies can do that anymore."

I chuckled and pulled her up with me, wrapping an arm around her waist. Everybody else could stay up and celebrate but I planned to sleep in as long as possible with my girlfriend and just fuck off for the rest of the day tomorrow.

Kassie wished them a quick goodbye and slipped her hand in mine. It was quiet while we walked back inside of the hotel and when the elevator door shut behind us, I dipped down to kiss her again.

She smiled against my lips. "Aren't you tired?"

"Adrenaline," I answered simply, kissing her again.

"How long does that last?"

"I don't know." I ran my hand up the small of her back, sliding underneath the hoodie to touch her bare skin. "You can find out. I'll take it out on you."

The suggestive grin on her lips made my pulse race, and she squeezed my fingers, leading me off down the hall when the elevator doors opened. God, she was so perfect. And all mine. At our door, I tightened my grip around her and deepened the kiss, holding her tight until she panted every time we broke apart.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Fuck, I love you." I kissed her again and my cock bulged against my jeans. "I can't wait to give you the ring."

She glanced back. "The what? "

"The ring."

"What ring?"

I didn't reply. I was too busy slipping her out of her clothes and dipping down to kiss her neck while she sputtered underneath me, goddamn adorable.

"What ring, Ryan? Like, a pool toy ring? Birth control ring?"

I chuckled, hoisting her and carrying her off to bed. "I have it ready. The compromise is, you give me a timeframe for when you want to see it out of the box."

"What—I—?" She shook her head. "There is no way—"

"Want a bet?"

There was an audible pause and Kassie gazed up at me, breathless. "You know what? No. I do not."

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Thank you so much for reading Playing for Keeps!