Staying on Course (Finding our Way 2)

“I do, always.”

Chapter 15

Bryce and I walk through campus hand in hand, talking about my course load and upcoming projects. He insisted on coming with me today, planning to use the ROTC facilities to workout while I’m in class. He carries my bag, chatting as if this is normal, but I’m uneasy. Girls’ heads turn when he passes by and mouths drop. Eyes slice to me and back to him in disgust. Granted, we were running late, so I threw my hair in a bun and only put on mascara and lip gloss. I feel inadequate next to him.

He’s wearing a skin tight NAVY t-shirt with loose running shorts. His hat is on backwards, which carries its own level of sex appeal. I clutch his hand when we get to the building, and people openly stare.

“Babe, you’re cutting off my circulation.” He lifts our linked hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “What’s wrong?”

“I really should have showered. I’m ratty next to you.”

He looks around and gives me a seductive grin, sending a tingle down my spine. “You look fucking awesome. And if you’d taken the time to shower, I wouldn’t have been able to make you scream my name twice. I still taste you on my tongue.”

Heat creeps up my face, and skin starts to warm. “Stop. People may hear you.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” he asks, searching my face. “If I wouldn’t have fucked up, this could have been our life—waking up together, walking to class, kissing goodbye—all of it. You’d have been in my bed and me in yours for years at UT. I want those memories, so give me a little here. I’m trying to fit those years into a few days. When I’m on shift, and you’re in class, I want to visualize exactly where you are.” For a brief second his eyes swim in pain then clear, filling with undeniable love.

I lean into his touch, trying to control my racing heartbeat. “Why do you do that? Why do you say the sweetest things, making me want to cry and jump you at the same time?”

“Because I’m talented,” he whispers against my lips. His phone buzzes in his pocket, but he ignores it.

“You may need to get that.”

“Whoever it is can wait.” The phone buzzes again, and he takes it out, glancing at the screen. Annoyance flashes across his face as he hits ignore again.

Curiosity piques, and I’m about to ask who it was when he dips down to kiss me quickly.

“Be back to pick you up here in three hours, Devon.” He walks away with my eyes pinned to his ass.

Crystal comes over and ushers me into the building, laughing the whole time. I sink into the seat and blindly go through the motions of arranging my laptop.

“Bryce is really nice. You’re a lucky girl.” She points to my ring. “He’s also got great taste.”

“I am pretty lucky. If you’d have told me a year ago that this would be my life, I’d have called you a liar. We weren’t exactly on speaking terms.”

Her breath hitches, and her chin starts to tremble. She looks away and wipes her eye quickly to catch the tear that leaks out.

“Hey.” I reach for her hand. “Did I say something?”

She looks back, and I recognize her expression too well—the look of heartbreak.

“I was engaged once. Well, probably not by society’s standards, but to us, it meant something. Morgan didn’t give me a ring but promised me one as soon as he had the money saved.” Her voice breaks.

“What happened?” I ask softly.

“I’m an idiot and forced him away, but at the time, it was the best decision.” She shakes her head and lets out a cruel chuckle. “What a load of bullshit. That’s what I’ve been saying for so long, it now spews out automatically. The truth is, I was a prima-donna princess who was scared of Mommy and Daddy. They knew my weaknesses and threatened what meant the most to me.”

“Morgan?”

She nods in confirmation. “We dated all through high school. He was such a good guy—played sports, volunteered with local charities, excellent grades. We were going to come here together. He got a soccer scholarship to UVA. But it all fell apart spring break of our senior year. Even as hard as he fought for us, I tore us apart. It was my only choice.”

“What happened?” My heart lurches in my throat because, no matter what her story is, it crushed her. Years later and the emotions are pouring.

“His father owned a high end Auto & Body Shop in town. Morgan worked part time for him. Spring break, he and I went white-water rafting with a group of seniors. While we were gone, his dad died of a heart attack. He was alone in the shop. Morgan’s only sister found him. It hurt the whole family, but Morgan carried an enormous burden of guilt. In his mind, even if he couldn’t have saved his dad, he would have been there instead of his sister.”

My own eyes start to sting. “That’s horrible.”

“It was. But he was part of my family, and we all banded together to help. My parents helped in every way they could. The other shops in town shut down the day we buried Mr. Drake. He was so respected. The church was standing-room only. I still remember seeing the only two tears Morgan allowed himself that day. He insisted on being strong. I vowed to be his strength.”