He grimaces, running his hand through his hair. “My bad, man. I had to find you before you went home.”
“Why? And why aren’t you home?”
“I’m leaving in a bit, but I just signed my contract with the IceCats. Dude, it’s fucking awesome. I’ll be playing for them next year! Can you believe it?”
Fuck.
I feel Sofia move beside me, and she slides her hand up my back, but I know it’s out of sympathy. No reason for that. I get up, grinning as I slap hands with Moon. “Attaway, man, that’s fucking awesome!”
“Yeah, I’m stoked. Nervous but stoked.”
“You’ll do fucking awesome.”
“Yeah, but shit, I didn’t expect this,” he says, and the grin on his face warms my heart. He’s a great guy. He deserves this.
“You earned it, man. You’re a great player.”
“Thanks, man. Now it’s your turn!” He smacks my chest, and I laugh out, but it’s with no humor what’s so fucking ever. When his phone rings, I thank the heavens as he answers it. “Yeah, Ma, I’m coming.” He tucks it back into his pocket. “Yeah, Mom is waiting. Wanted to tell you in person, not over text.”
I’d much rather have had the text. “For sure, dude,” I say, slapping hands with him before being pulled into a manly hug. “I’m stoked for you.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Congratulations, Moon.”
He sends Sofia a grin. “Thanks, Sofia. Hey, where is Amelia?”
“She’s already at home,” I answer, and he slowly moves his gaze back to mine, an innocent grin on his face.
“Oh. She’s kinda been blowing me off lately.”
I nod. “I think she got back with her boyfriend. Though, I don’t know how she is blowing you off if nothing is happening.”
Moon nods very quickly. “Oh, yeah, for sure. Er, yeah, so happy Thanksgiving.”
And then he’s gone.
I sit back on the bed. Sofia’s arms come around my shoulders, and she snuggles her face into my neck. I lean into her, closing my eyes. “That’s really great for him.”
“It is,” she mutters against my skin, and I’m thankful she knows I’m bummed.
Nothing has to be said. She just holds me, and I need it because this fucking sucks. I want good things for him, I do, but I want them for myself too. What else do I have to do? I’m working my ass off, and I feel like I’m doing everything right. My grades are great, my skills are stellar, and damn it, I’m fast for a big guy. Why can’t I get a deal? When Sofia places a kiss to my neck, I know I can’t worry about that right now. I gotta take my girlfriend home for Thanksgiving.
I swallow hard, and then I tap her arms. “Well, sorry about that, but let’s get out of here.” She doesn’t move. “Sofia?”
She trails kisses along my neck before stopping right at my ear. “Ryan.”
“Yeah?”
“Your time is coming. I know it is.”
I sigh heavily. “You think so?”
“I know so,” she says, and then she kisses my lobe. “I pray every night that it will happen. Even if means you’ll leave me.”
My heart jackhammers in my chest, her words shaking me to the core. I turn slowly, looking deep into her eyes, and the weak smile on her face feels like a punch to the gut. “I’ll come back just for you.”
Even though I know it’s probably both the best and worst mistake to say that, the way her eyes light up is enough to make it worth it. As her lips take mine, I realize, though I don’t know what is going to happen, one thing is for sure.
I’m gonna love her through it all.
And beyond.
Our ride to Elli and Shea’s is quiet.
I keep my hand in Sofia’s as her fingers dance over my wrist and the back of my hand. She doesn’t know it, but she gives me such strength and confidence. She brings me hope, and that’s something I won’t ever be able to thank her enough for. I wish like hell we hadn’t been interrupted back in my room. I wanted so desperately to be in her, to give her everything she wants.
What I want.
When I pull into the Adlers’ driveway, Sofia takes in a deep breath. “Whoa, this place is huge.”
I nod as I shut off the truck. “Yeah, this is my second home. I used to have a room, but my aunt kept having kids.”
Sofia chuckles as I get out, walking around to open the door for her. When I do, I hear a guitar and then a soft, stunning voice.
Shelli.
Sofia looks to where the music is coming from the back of the house. “Who is that?”
“My Broadway-singing cousin,” I say, lacing my fingers with hers and pulling her along. We walk around the house on the cobblestone walkway to the back, where Shelli is sitting with a guitar, playing it effortlessly as she sings Bruno Mars’s “Just the Way You Are.” Shea and Elli hold each other as they sway together. My mom is sitting with a glass of wine, watching them dance and Shelli sing. Amelia is on her phone, and in the yard, the boys are running around like maniacs, missing that their sister is brilliant.
When I look back to Sofia, her eyes are wide as she takes it all in. “Wow.”
I nod as I walk backward, pulling her with me. I want to thank her a billion times for how she held me, how she was there for me after Moon left. “Will you dance with me?”
“Here?”
“Here,” I say, bringing her in and wrapping my arms around her waist.