Only Between Us

“You want to know what I see in you? What I like about you? You make me laugh more than anyone I know, and you don’t take yourself seriously—but you’re serious when it matters. You’re open with your feelings in such a brave, enviable way. In a way that’s so hard for me to do, but feels easier with you. The fact that you’ve been calling me out on my baggage for weeks, without once making me feel weak or stupid, or like I’m wrong for feeling the things I do—the fact that you even noticed it, and took the time to ask? You’re attentive, and so damn . . . kind.”

“Swear that whenever you get hurt on that field, you think of Sophia. And if it’s bad enough that you can’t play catch with her one day, you sit your ass on the bench until you’re medically cleared. This dream of winning a championship with the Rebels is important, and you should keep chasing that with everything you have. But not at the expense of the other things you want out of life.”

“I knew you were a bad fucking girl from the second I met you. The kind who’d let me make that sweet pussy come in front of four hundred strangers. Aren’t you?”

“But it’s more than just about liking your mom. I liked that I was doing it for you. You’re not a chore or a responsibility to me, and the only type of trouble you’ve ever been is the kind that has me riding a goddamn deathtrap against my better judgment. Doing all that today made me happy. It made me feel wanted and needed, and that’s important to me in a relationship. Pretend or not.

“I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked so hard for this, chasing this dream, and you’ve stayed the best version of yourself the whole way. So kind and loving. Playful. Dependable. Anything I could ask for. Brooks, they’ll be falling over themselves to have you back on the team. And even if they don’t, I’ll be there in the stands. Falling over you myself.”

“Open your eyes. Open them and watch me fuck you. It’s such a pretty thing.”

“Brooks, you are important to me. I need you to know that, without question. You and Pete are the best part of my day. I sit in that shop just dying to come home to you. Wondering how the hell I survived it before, not having you to look forward to after such a lifeless day.”

“You aren’t an afterthought to me. You are the thought. From the moment I wake up to the second I fall asleep. It’s you.”

“You know I respect the hell out of your need to look after yourself. But when I fuck you, I take over. That’s non-negotiable.”

“I know. I agreed to keep things simple. But there’s nothing simple about the way I love you, Siena. It’s risky and complicated, and I have no idea how it’ll turn out. But you’ve given me the ride of my life since the minute I knocked you over. And I want to stay on.”

“I have to say, paying off an entire bachelorette party to charter their ship is unhinged behavior. But it’s also the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

“Be still my fucking heart, Siena. I knew I’d get you to fall for me. It was only a matter of time.”

“I’ve been so good, Siena. So fucking good, for so long. Let me be bad for you. Take us to land. Come home with me.”

“The only time I care about hearing my name screamed in my presence is with a pair of thighs wrapped around my head.”

“What are the odds I’d smash into the love of my life on a field she was never supposed to be on in the first place?”

“And so, the jersey chaser becomes the jersey receiver. Interesting turn of events.”

“The day we caught you breaking into this house was the very best day of my life. Every day since, I’ve thanked the universe that you chose to steal from us that night. That Dad got up for a glass of water when he did. That you let us love you when you’d been disappointed so badly before and had every reason not to trust us. You’re the best thing that ever happened to us. Even now, when I’d love nothing more than to shake some sense into you for thinking such ridiculous things.”

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and what’s truly frightening is that your looks aren’t the even the most extraordinary part about you. Your strength is. The way you’ve gone through more than most people do in a lifetime, and came out of it resilient. Caring. Loving life. Or maybe it’s the way you’re so fiercely loyal. The second I figured you out, I never once doubted that you were in my corner. Even when I hadn’t done anything to deserve it.”