Epilogue

" D o we have to say goodbye to this view?"

Crew chuckles as he sidles up behind me. His cool skin brushes my bare arm and the familiar waves of electricity spark goose bumps.

"We'll be back soon," he mumbles as he trails kisses through my hair and down my neck, where he nibbles the sensitive skin. "Besides, I can think of a better view."

I hum, nuzzling into his touch. "And what's that?"

"You, sprawled out begging to come on my cock."

"Crew," I scold as heat flames my cheeks, but my eyes never leave the morning glow as the sun rises over Lake Drummond.

For the past three months since we graduated, Sunset Shores has been our home. Much to Crew's mom's dismay, we decided to rent a place for the summer rather than stay in his childhood room on the farm.

The pistachio green townhouse in Silo Bay overlooks Lake Drummond and the upper balcony has been my favorite place to drink my morning coffee. Birds fly overhead, their songs wishing us good morning. The mossy, damp, earthy smells intertwine with the tangy algae, and it's a welcome fragrance to my senses. It's the scent which brings me back to my first trip to Silo Bay two years ago .

A lot has happened since that visit when the coaches surprised the team with a stop in Crew's hometown.

In April, Crew and I graduated from Central Texas University and embarked on our twelve-hundred-mile road trip. Leaving campus was hard. It's where we began. In my time at CTU, I rediscovered myself and learned no matter how hard life gets, I have a support system that loves me and is there for me. I found a family of friends who are more like siblings and even though life has scattered us around the country, our familial bonds will keep us together.

In the weeks leading up to graduation, Crew received a phone call from a video game developer. It turns out his college professor did know someone in the industry, and after months of indecision, the developer finally reached out. After a long conversation with the rest of Crew's group and through some negotiations, the video game concept for precision agriculture was acquired for one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars and came with a royalty share. It was an incredible opportunity and one the group couldn't pass up. Crew's concept will be a nationwide game and will be featured in retail stores across the country. The hope is to inspire the next generation of farmers.

Toward the end of April, we boarded a flight to Green Bay, where we met my dad and Crew's mom, brother, and sister because Crew decided to enter the NFL draft. For months during our senior year, Crew struggled with the decision of pursuing professional football or coming home to Silo Bay. After many conversations with his brother, Jett assured Crew he had things handled on the farm for a few years. Besides, the NFL only comes knocking once. The Indianapolis Blues selected Crew in the fourth round. Luckily for us, Indy is only two and a half hours away from Silo Bay .

Preseason games start in one week, so our time in our little slice of heaven has officially ended. Crew has been spending time at our new house during the week while he has to report for practices, and I've been soaking in the last few weeks of Silo Bay before our next adventure begins. While Crew is busy with football, I'll start as an assistant athletic director at a local high school near Indianapolis.

It seems everything is falling into place for us. Our future is looking bright, and I couldn't be more excited to look ahead. Long gone are the days of looking over my shoulder and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Where'd you go, Rebel?" His deep, raspy voice interrupts my thoughts as I bring my mug of coffee to my lip, savoring the rich, full-flavored coffee.

"I was thinking about how crazy the last few months have been and how excited I am to build a future with you."

"I can't believe this is our life."

"I can't either."

Silence falls over us as we watch the golden glow of the morning transition into shades of orange and pink as the sun fully rises over the blue-green lake.

"Come with me?"

"To the end of the earth."

With a kiss on my temple, he shakes his head. "No, right now. Come with me."

"We need to be at your mom's in a couple of hours."

"There's time, I promise."

Glancing down, I take in my exposed tan legs peeking out from the oversized tee I slept in. "I need to change."

"You go do that, and I'll hook up the boat for one last ride before we leave." With a smack to my ass and a kiss to my temple, I watch his chiseled shirtless back retreat into the master suite. He reaches for a T-shirt and with a wink, he disappears into the hallway.

Since we've been staying on the lake, Crew moved the Jon boat he used to ride on with his dad to the garage of the townhouse. It made the most sense to keep it here rather than running out to the farm whenever we wanted to go for a ride. Every day, whether it be the start or the end of our day, the two of us load up the boat and meander down the channel where Crew sketches and I read. Thanks to Chloe, I've become a reader and enjoy getting lost in the pages of a good story while the melodies of the bugs and Crew's scratching as he draws fill the silence.

Drinking the rest of my coffee, I bring the mug inside, where I shuffle through my clothes. Slipping on a black sleeveless dress, I slide my feet into sandals. Yes, I've become a summer dress kind of girl because we are on vacation . Don't worry. My sneakers and band tees are boxed and waiting to be unpacked at the new house. Twisting my hair into a messy bun, I apply a coat of mascara before jogging down the stairs.

Crew is waiting in the driver's side, his hand out the window as Creedence Clearwater Revival plays softly from the open window. The trailer is hooked up to the truck for the one-mile drive to the boat ramp.

Climbing into the cab, Crew's hand lands on my bare thigh as I get situated in a silent gesture of comfort. Shifting the truck into drive, we slowly climb the hill in the parking lot. We turn onto the road separating the businesses from the lake. Driving past Sunset Shores Grill, I remember the bus parking here for the surprise visit. Of meeting Crew's mom and sister for the first time and feeling the urge to call this place my home .

The metal gates surrounding Sunset Shores Resort come into view and I stare up at the pistachio green townhouse. Our first home together, just the two of us. A place where we've spent almost four months learning more about each other. Figuring out each other's quirks and how to coexist in the same place without roommates. The four walls. I knew my love for Crew would never change.

As we drive further down the road, I turn in my seat to stare past Crew's perfect profile—the tight set of his chiseled jaw. Disheveled blond hair from last night's feast on the dinner table is hidden beneath a backward hat. Since being back in Silo Bay, Crew has worn a rotation of Riggs Cattle and Silo Bay Hawks hats. The worn-out hats, especially backward, give my kitty all kinds of flutters.

If I thought I couldn't resist this man in college, it's only gotten worse. I'm insatiable.

"You're staring at me."

His voice startled me from my daydream, where I was staring at him. I'm not sure what has me so on edge today. Maybe it's the impending goodbye breakfast at the farm or the move we are embarking on later today. There's a feeling coursing through my body, and I can't quite explain it.

"I wasn't staring at you. I was saying goodbye to the lake."

"Liar." A slight smirk tips the corners of his lips as he squeezes my thigh.

Looking around the cab, I don't see the bag Crew always brings when we go out on the boat. "You forgot the bag with your sketching supplies."

"I thought we could enjoy the morning together."

A few moments later, Crew reverses the truck as he backs the trailer down the boat ramp. I watch from the passenger side as he hops into the Jon boat and moves it to a ramp where he ties it off before returning to the truck. Even after these weeks on the water, I haven't gained enough confidence to help unload the boat.

Once the truck is parked, the two of us make our way to the aluminum chariot, hand in hand. Extending his hand out, Crew helps me navigate to the front of the boat. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as he confidently moves, steps onto the boat, and reaches for the starter cord.

The way he positions himself, you can tell he's done this hundreds of times—no hesitation, no second-guessing, no stress if it'll start. Wrapping his large hand around the cord, he pulls sharply, and I watch his sinewy muscles flex with the movement.

Spluttering to life, the engine roars, vibrating the aluminum body underneath us. A now familiar smell of gasoline and the exhaust mixes with the fresh, aquatic scent of the lake.

Crew's eyes flick to mine as he shoots a wink in my direction before taking the bench seat in front of the engine. A spark of admiration flits through me as I stare at the man sitting behind me. With his size, people think he's gruff at first, but they couldn't be more wrong. Deep down, Crew Riggsby is a teddy bear who enjoys the simple moments in life.

Crew reaches for the rope and slips it from the cleat as he navigates us away from the wooden dock. The greenish-blue water parts as we glide through, disrupting its glass-like state. Birds chirp and locusts call to us as we putt down the channel. Leaves transition to a golden color as their green slips away, welcoming the telltale signs of fall approaching.

Halfway down the channel, Crew shuts the engine off, allowing us to float with the current. The boat gently rocks as he moves up a row until he's at my back .

"I love you, Rebel." His words are soft as he helps turn me around so that I'm facing him. There's a new glint in his eyes, and I'm squinting, trying to decipher his mood.

"I love you, too. Are you ready for Indy?"

His face breaks out into a beaming smile as he nods excitedly. "I can't believe this is my life."

Reaching out, I rub his thick forearm. "You deserve every second of it. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey."

"You deserve it, too, Rebel." I tuck my chin as an onslaught of emotions hit me. But it's Crew tipping my chin up so our eyes meet. "You've been through hell and back in a short time. Through pain and fear, you've come out on top. Bret, you're brave and stronger than you give yourself credit for. Your heart is so big, and I'm grateful you chose to love me."

"It was never a choice to love you, Crew. I knew our souls were connected from the moment I met you."

His features soften as he reaches into his pocket. It's the same pocket he keeps his phone in. But it isn't a rectangular phone. No, it's a black velvet box. My eyes widen as I stare at the man across from me.

Crew's eyes bounce around our confined space. He chuckles as he tries to go down on one knee. "I didn't think this through."

"Bret Addison, my Rebel." Crew clears his throat as my nose tickles and tears well in my eyes. "As we look forward to our future, there's no doubt in my mind that I want you—no, need you—standing next to me. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

My head nods before he finishes his words because, yes, becoming Crew's wife would be my biggest honor. "Yes, Crew."

I watch as Crew removes the delicate ring from the black box, and my breath catches in my throat as I fully take in its magnitude. He slides the platinum band onto my finger, the metal cool against my skin on this humid morning. The large oval diamond steals my breath away as it glints and shimmers in the early light. The stone is flawlessly cut and more gorgeous than I ever imagined. Everything about the ring is perfect—the gem is the perfect carat size, and the fit is snug as if it were made for me. Each detail is timeless, from the slender band of smaller diamonds to the dazzling solitaire stone. I can't ignore how it glimmers against my bronze skin.

I'm mesmerized by its beauty.

By this man.

At this moment.

It's more than anything I could have imagined.

Not too long ago, I thought my future was over. The idea of love was just that, an idea. But the universe had other plans. Tears spring free and slide down my face as I realize everything perfectly reflects our love—pure, encompassing, and remarkable.

I'd follow Crew Riggsby to the ends of the earth, without a doubt.

Now, I'll do the honors as his wife.