Then the moment fades as another team calls another player. The day passes by before I get the chance to absorb every second. There was so much going on that I mostly felt lost. It didn't matter though. I watched Jake throughout as he spoke with others and such. His day to shine has come, and I'm sure more opportunities will arise.
Drake, on the other hand, was very much involved. He yacked the day away, but I completely understood. Today was just as big for him as it was for Jake. Even afterwards, as we grabbed our bags and checked out from the hotel to head to the airport, time seemed to fly.
Currently, I'm driving us home. Jake seems to be in his own little world as phone calls from his friends start to pour in with congratulations. Drake is crashed out from the long day in the back seat. We have still have thirty minutes to go before we are home. Silently, I eye my love as he turns off his phone and leans into his seat.
“Best. Day. Ever.”
Giggling, I agree. “It's almost over, though,” I comment since the clock glows 11:58 pm.
Jake sighs, closing his eyes. Within minutes, he's asleep and I'm practically alone on these deserted roads. Of course, I begin to mull on the ramifications of today. Life as we know it has changed. Jake's going to be home for the next week before heading to Chicago. He's got paperwork to do. He has to search for an apartment and go to another camp. If he plays well, he'll be shipped to yet another camp. If I understood correctly, once the team offers a contract, which I'm sure they will, he'll accept it. Then he will play for the NHL.
When that happens, my love will officially relocate. It's too close to the beginning of the semester to transfer to a university and I've already registered for classes here. I'll be in Charlotte without him. Unless I transfer to a school up there, I won't live with him for another three years at the least. Three years where the majority of our time will be apart. The lump in my throat is telling me to panic. Ms. Negativity in my head is screaming that we'll never last. As I drive into town, the street lamps cause my ring to glint. Jake wouldn't have proposed if he didn't think this was for always. I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't believe it either. We're going to make it and when we do, it'll be heaven.
“Love, we're here,” I say, pulling into the empty driveway.
Easily, he awakes and wipes his eyes. Once I park the car, he turns around to wake Drake. I go ahead and get out to bring in our bags. Jake sends a half asleep Drake to go unlock the door and head inside to change while he helps me with the luggage. An idea forms as he drops the bags inside his room and leaves to tuck in Drake.
I hurriedly find his jersey in his suitcase and slip into the adjoining bathroom, locking the door behind me. Before removing all my items of clothing, I brush my teeth for the night and then put on his jersey. The thing is huge. I could wear it as a dress if I wanted.
“Sweets, you in there?” he still chuckles at calling me Sweets.
Instead of answering, I open the door and lean against the door frame. He's facing away from me, shirtless and in the process of removing his pants.
“How do I look?” I ask softly, suddenly shy.
Jake pivots to look at me, a grin taking over. “Mmm, Sweetness,” a grumble erupts. He ambles over to me, clutching my waist and pulling me to him, his eyes traveling over my body. Looking up at him, his gaze rests.
“You're going to have to have lots of these things,” I say in a hushed tone.
His eyes spark with intensity as his voice migrates from deep within his throat. “Why is that?”
“'Cause you know I'm going to steal some for myself.”
His smile is one of leisure. Bending down, Jake kisses me delicately. “I can have that arranged. Now, c'mere.” He pulls me to him and then lays me down on his bed, towering above me. “While I love that you are wearing my jersey. This,” he says, tugging the red fabric, “has to go.” Within seconds, I'm naked and Jake is assaulting me with love.
24
Jake
Tonight is a night for us to relax and enjoy the fireworks show. Sweetness is dressed in a pair of short cut-offs and a red tank top. It is one hot July fourth. That's all I have to say as I look at Emily from her head to her toes, which are painted red, white, and blue alternatively. She gives me a quick kiss and says hello.
Her eyes don't look directly at me and immediately, I know that something isn't right. I take her hand and decide to wait it out. See if the issue resolves itself. Emily is pretty quiet on the ride there and as she stands in front of me as we wait for the fireworks, she leans into me. Wrapping my arms around her, I lean down to whisper into her ear.
“What's the matter, Sweetness?”
“Just not feeling well today, love.”
I kiss the top of her head, sending good vibes her way. I hate it when she doesn't feel well. The sensation of her back against my chest sends heat rippling throughout. It never ceases to amaze me how perfectly she fits me, like puzzles pieces. It's just another thing I love about her and us. Emily swivels in my arms and wraps her own around my neck.
“Do you love me?”
“Of course I do. I love you. Always.”
A small smile captures her lips and she stands on her tip toes to give me a sweet and simple kiss.
“Y'all are sick, you know that?”
We look at Drake and laugh.