Crushing On The Enemy (Crushing on You 1)

“I love you, Mom,” she said after she double checked that everything was ready to go.

“I love you too, sweetheart, call me if you need anything,” her mom said.

“I will,” Alyssa smiled.

She hugged Jake's mom and dad, in turn before turning to Jake. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. She rested her head against his chest for a moment taking comfort from the moment.

“I'll try to make sure you girls stay with me, but if you get lost call me and pull into the closest rest stop,” Jake told her.

“I will, but anyway I know how to read a map,” Alyssa laughed.

“I know, but I wanted to say something just in case it happened,” Jake grinned.

“Okay, you three,” Jake's dad said, “get out of here. You're wasting daylight and we expect you to stop if it gets dark before you get there.”

“Yes, sir,” Mattie laughed.

There was one last round of hugs and then they began their journey. Alyssa's hands were trembling when she started the ignition, but she didn't know whether it was excitement or from her nerves. Both emotions had her mind racing in circles.

“We're finally free!” Mattie shouted as they pulled onto the highway.

“I'm finally going to get to start my life,” Alyssa sighed.

“So when are you and Jake going to get married?” Mattie teased, “Are we going to head to Vegas first for the ceremony?”

“No,” Alyssa laughed, “we're not going to be getting married for awhile.”

“That sucks, I wanted to be a bridesmaid,” Mattie laughed.

“When I do get married, you can be one then,” Alyssa teased.

“I have been meaning to ask you what are you taking at college?” Mattie asked.

“History of Art,” she laughed.

“Seriously?” Mattie asked.

“Yep,” Alyssa grinned, “I couldn't think of any other major to write down.”

“You always have been crazy,” Mattie laughed.

“Maybe,” Alyssa agreed.

Chapter 24: The Future

Alyssa switched her major to sports medicine during her second semester of college. She didn't participate in cheer leading during her college years, but she still attended every game that Jake played in.

Jake eventually settled on a major in education so he could coach football after college. He was offered a position by several pro teams, but turned them all down as his interests turned to starting a family.

After they both obtained their Bachelors Degree they flew back to Ohio for their wedding. As promised Mattie was her maid of honor. After taking a year off they both returned to school to further their education. When Alyssa walked across the stage when she graduated from medical school, she was two months pregnant with their first child, but she hadn't told anyone else yet. Seven months later she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom they named Steven Andrew Micheal Taylors after Alyssa's father, Jake's father, and Jake's high school coach.