Page 172 of Made Better Together

The days fly by, Connor and I now reliably in the routine of morning texts and nighttime FaceTimes. All seems strong and steady between us. Dad and I start texting like normal, our relationship hopefully smoothed out. Grace makes sure my media and sponsorship responsibilities stay to a minimum until my tests are done.

“They can wait for you,” she explains. “The demand isn’t going away.”

Everything should feel on track.

Except that when I get on the plane to California the next Friday, all my final exams done, Art History paper turned in…Aiden doesn’t have any new developments to report.

No NWSL teams are showing any urgency to sign me. My future as a pro, still not secured.

49

CONNOR

The “pause” stirred up mixed emotions at first. Part of me was relieved not to be a burden during her busy period. I hated the thought of adding to everything she was juggling.

This seemed the best path to avoid breaking up, which was not happening. Del planted that seed, but when I was sitting in her dorm room, looking at those gorgeous turquoise eyes, I refused to water it.

On the flip side, I also initially anticipated that three weeks without her were going to be torture. No Eden, no light, no happiness.

I was wrong, though. Our daily FaceTimes quickly disproved that assumption.

She was so eager to talk every night, wanting to tell me all about her day. She loved hearing how proud I was as she tackled her school obligations—giving me plenty of light and happiness in return.

Not to mention, she radiated contentment following our scenes over FaceTime. She asked for one almost every night before she left for California, the peace on her face afterward proving I’d been thinking about the pause incorrectly.

She didn’t need a break from me, from us, to be successful.

You’re becoming her person, her man, her Dom. What she needs, not a burden.

The thought healed something in me that I couldn’t yet name.

When Eden arrives safely in California, my anticipation of our reunion turns from a slow boil to a simmer. Her semester is done, one major hurdle over. In only eleven days, the pause will be over, and she’ll be in my arms again.

We plan to keep up our texts and FaceTimes daily, despite the time difference. It turns out that during her first full day there, she’s manages another big step: telling her mom about us.

When I call her the next night, she fills in the details.

“She was less upset about me not telling her we were dating than Dad. I think maybe because she’s on the other coast? Either way, she said she understood why we’d want to be quiet about it.”

Her face is scrubbed of makeup, and she appears calm. “That’s good.”

“She was still a little worried about me being overextended with a boyfriend. But I explained the whole ‘pause’ concept, and she ate it up. She said it was a sign of our maturity that we created space for the right things, at key times.”

I don’t know if I ever want to be this mature again, but Maureen’s good opinion of us is a win. “I’m glad the pause has unexpected benefits.”

“I know,” she responds in an amused tone. “Ten more days is about all I can take, though.”

“Same.” I try to bridge into the thoughts that have been percolating for me over the last few days. “I…I don’t regret we took the break, but I’m also thinking if something like this happens again, we should find a way to work through it without time apart.”

Her eyes brighten a fraction. “Yes, yes, I agree. I’d have protested more if we weren’t also dealing with fallout from everyone finding out we’re dating.”

“I was all over the place that day, and just didn’t want to weigh you down…”

She interrupts me. “You aren’t…you make my life better, Connor. Maybe I should have been clearer that day in my room. You make me happy.” The corners of her lips turn up. “I might get distracted in your presence, but that’s on me.”

I drop the topic, but it feels fucking good to hear that.

“By the way, Mom—she really likes you.”