Page 97 of Playmaker

He flinches at the hurt behind my words, but the breath gets stuck in my throat when he opens his palm, showcasing a crystal. Not just any crystal, but the crystal I gave him after his mom passed. I assumed he threw it away after he told me to get lost that day, but he kept it.

“It’s always been you,” he whispers so softly I almost don’t hear him. “You check all the boxes, Maddie.”

“I . . .what does that mean?”

When he takes a step closer, I try to control my breathing, but it’s useless. I’m a panting mess as the distance closes between us, fully consumed by every word that leaves his lips.

“You’ve always seen the very best in me even when I gave you no reason to. You cared enough to give me this crystal when I pushed you away. You thought I was hot even with my braces and my obsession with Pokémon cards because you liked me for me, and I’m so fucking sorry it took me this long to realize it.”

Tears well in my eyes as he continues to turn the crystal in his hand, a symbol of how much he’s cared about me over the years. It’s something so small, but it holds the weight of the world in this moment.

“You have every reason to turn me down, but I told my dad there can’t be an ultimatum. He came home last night, and for the first time, I was honest with him. You were right about me standing in my own way, and I don’t want to be that person anymore, so I did something about it. I’m going to put in the effort to become the man you need because you’re worth it.Weare worth it, and although I have no idea what the future holds, I promise to fight like hell to ensure we make it because—” He’s right in front of me now, eyes locked on mine when he says, “I’m in love with you, Maddie Davis. I always have been, and I always will be.”

The breath whooshes from my lungs. If it wasn’t for his hands coming out to steady me, I might fall over from the admission.

“I don’t deserve it, but if you give me another chance, you won’t regret it. I’ll never break your heart again.”

I laugh, and it’s such a bad moment to do it, but I can’t help myself.

Cameron seems concerned. “I can’t tell if you laughing is a good or a bad thing.”

“I’m sorry,” I say with another giggle. Tears are threatening to spill but I hold them back when I add, “It’s just funny that you think I would ever be able to say no to you.”

Finally, that arrogant grin I used to hate appears on his face, and I decide I never want it to disappear again. I want it to stay put forever.

“Is that a yes, then? You’ll give me another shot?”

I hook my arms around his neck and he lifts me off the ground so my legs can wrap around his waist. It’s a little awkward with my walking boot, but the extra weight doesn’t seem to faze him. In his arms, I feel whole, and right now, I realize it was useless for him to ask me where I wanted to live after college. The truth is, anywhere he goes, I’ll gladly follow because home isn’t a place. It’s withhim.

“I love you, Cameron Holden. Always have, always will.”

His cheeky grin grows wider before he kisses me, and like the heavens above want to get in on the celebration, a beam of sunlight hits us both, encasing us in a blanket of warmth. The locket around my neck shimmers, and Cameron pulls away to squint into the sky. I’m not sure what happened in the past twenty-four hours to give him this revelation, but the acceptance that he seems to have fills me with joy.

In the long run, it doesn’t matter what made him get to this point.

I’m just glad he did.

—

Two hours later we’re on the interstate, my suitcases packed in the back of Cameron’s car. The windows are rolled down, whipping my curls in all directions, and Cameron has one hand on the steering wheel, the other on my thigh. After explaining more about the conversation with his dad, Cameron told me he’s not flying out until later tonight so they can spend some much needed time together, so I’m grateful he wanted to take the time to drive me to the airport.

A long-distance relationship is going to be an entirely different battle, but with the love we have for one another, I’m confident we can make it work. We’ve gone through far worse than distance, and if anything, we’ve proved we can overcome it.

I turn to admire the profile of my insanely hot boyfriend. His jaw is working overtime chewing gum, and his sunglasses make him look sexier than usual. His thumb strokes my thigh in calming, happy patterns, and the sky remains a bright blue with no clouds in sight.

Our future may still have uncertainties, but today?

Today is agoodday, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.

That’s why, when Cameron leans over to switch on the radio, I allow the country music to play at full blast.