Page 92 of The Pact
“Yeah?”
“If you say no, I’ll understand.”
Her fingers grip my T-shirt.
“And I won’t make you feel guilty.”
“I know.”
“I just …” My throat tightens.
She lifts her head, and even though it’s dark, I can see her face clearly.
“This shit is scary,” I admit.
Her hand comes up to cup my jaw. “It is.”
She leans in and kisses me. It’s soft and brief, but almost like a promise.
Then she settles back on my chest, and I hold her because she lets me. And because she chooses to stay.
“Good night, Saint.”
“Night, Doc.” I kiss her head.
Not long after, her breathing evens out, and I stare into the dark with my arm around the woman—the only woman—I’ve asked to marry me. My best friend, the person who’s been with me since college, and every significant moment in between then and now.
And for the first time since my sister died, I know exactly what I want.
I want the kids to be safe.
I want my sister’s wishes and memory to be honored.
I want to keep playing football.
And I want Presley Grant beside me.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Presley
Saint is gone by the time I wake up, and in his place is a little girl sound asleep, mouth wide open, snoring. She came in late last night and asked to sleep with us, so I pulled the covers back, and she climbed over me right between Saint and me.
I don’t move right away. I just lay here looking at Rhyan.
This little girl lost her mom. And she’s so young, so I’m not sure how much she understands about that loss yet.
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling, letting my and Saint’s conversation from last night settle over me again.
“Marry me.”
It wasn’t said as a joke or asomeday maybe. It was now, and it was real, and it was immediate.
And somehow, in the quiet of the morning, it feels even bigger than it did in the dim light of the room last night.
I press the heel of my palm against my chest, like it might somehow help to slow my heartbeat. I’m a doctor, so I know it won’t, but the reality is hitting me, and I need to do something with the pressure in my chest.
This morning, I have space to think about him, the kids, the court, and … the pact.
