The corner of Alec’s mouth tipped up and he placed his hand in Austin’s. “I’m glad I did. It was good game.”
I went in for a hug next and when Alec released me, he turned to Austin. “Make sure she gets home at a decent time.”
Austin shook his head, smiling. “Sure. Will do.”
Just as Alec turned to leave, Austin cupped the back of his neck and his eyebrows furrowed. He closed the distance between them in two long strides. “Alec!” Austin ran one hand through is light blondish brown hair. “I’m taking Sydney to Clements. Do you want to go?” For a moment, I swore Austin stopped breathing. It was an invitation extended as an olive branch to slowly get things back to how they were before. “You should come.” A slow exhale escaped my boyfriend’s lips.
“I can’t.”
Austin’s face visible fell. He didn’t have the strength to even fake it this time and my heart clenched at the look of disappointment etched on his features.
Alec placed a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Promise I’ll go next time. Do they still have those beer nuggets?”
It was as if Alec was the on switch to Austin’s current mood because his whole demeanor lightened. “They do! And they have a new Smash burger which you need to try.”
“Then next time for sure,” Alec said. “I promise.” After they did one of those guy half-hugs, Austin and I watched him leave.
Once a good thirty seconds had passed, we turn toward each other.
“Well shit.” Austin laughed. “Did that just happen?”
“It did.” My heart did somersaults in my chest. “I was there. I saw that happen.” I pointed to the door. “Alec and you. I think you made up.”
He nodded. “We did,” he said, satisfaction heavy in his tone, his voice firm. “Damn it. I missed that kid. I still can’t believe that happened.”
“I know,” I squeed.
He pulled me in by my waist and my arms wrapped around his lower back.
“I feel like everything is finally falling into place. You back on the field. Alec here today. Right now, everything is so perfect. Too perfect…so perfect that it seems unreal. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop and all this to disappear. Because who gets a life this great?”
With the pad of his thumb, he flattened out the wrinkles between my eyebrows. “You do. You get a life this great. Youdeservea life this great.” He brushed his nose against mine. “And now that everything is falling into place, the only thing that will be dropping is a big ass rock on your ring finger.”
I pinched his lower back. “Stop it.”
“What? Telling the truth?”
“Oh my god. How am I ever going to be surprised if it in factdoeshappen, if you keep saying it?” I asked.
The mischievous glint in his eyes made me wonder if it was happening right now and he had a ring in his back pocket. “You’ll be surprised. Promise. The proposal will be perfect.” He pulled me in closer. “You know what else is perfect?” The warmth in his smile echoed in his voice. “Your lips.”
He bent down and kissed me, reclaiming my lips and crushing me to him. I felt his kiss from the crown of my head down to my little pinky toe. Being in his arms, being loved by him…everything just felt…perfect.
THE END.