Page 50 of Through the Storm

“Don’t worry. I’ve always known that.” I say. “I really am very far out of your league.”

He throws his head back and laughs.

And when he kisses me, slow, it feels like standing in the rain and realizing I’m no longer cold.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ben

BETTER THAN OUR DREAMS

Seven months earlier

I’m halfwaythrough a soda and Leo retelling the time he set the kitchen on fire when something in the room shifts.

I look up and my lungs forget how to do their job.

Katy Montgomery.

For a second, my brain refuses to cooperate. Which is insane, because it’s Katy. She’s been Katy Cat my whole life. The girl who used to fall asleep on my shoulder during movie night.

But the woman standing in the middle of the bar—little black dress, high heels, confidence that sits easy on her shoulders—doesn’t match the memory I’ve been carrying around for three years.

She’s laughing with a group of guys from Harbor Point U’s football team. The team we just smoked a few hours ago. They’re a good team, just not as good as us. Three conference titles since I took the starting spot kind of cements that.

Then her eyes find mine, and everything stops.

Her smile falters for half a second. Like her brain needs a moment to catch up with what her eyes are telling her.

I don’tthink. I don’t hesitate. I cross the room in three strides and scoop her clean off the floor before I can ask myself what the hell I’m doing.

She yelps, then laughs. It’s the same laugh it’s always been, bright and unguarded. And something in my chest cracks wide open at hearing it after so long.

“Holy shit,” I spin her once before setting her down. “It’s really you.” My hands stay at her waist a beat too long. Like if I let go too fast, she’ll disappear. “I can’t believe it,” I add, grinning like a complete idiot. “I’ve missed you.”

And I mean it. More than I realized. More than I’ve let myself think about.

“How are you?” I ask. “What are you doing here?”

She rolls her eyes, and I’m suddenly very aware of how close we’re standing. Of how different she feels under my hands. Like she belongs right there.

I drop my arms before I make it weird.

“I…I go here,” she says, still catching her breath. “To Harbor Point. You know, the team you just humiliated?”

“Of course you’re in college.” I shake my head in disbelief. “You’re an actual adult now.”

She laughs softly. “You’re ridiculous. You’re only one year older than me.”

Someone bumps into us, and I steady her without thinking, my hand firm at her lower back. The contact sends a jolt straight through me.

“Two years, remember? Not everyone is a genius like you. Some of us had to repeat kindergarten.”

She snorts. “Right. Congrats on the win today. You were amazing.”

“Thanks, Katy Cat. Sorry I had to smoke your guys. Were you there?” I ask. “Rooting for the wrong team, Katy Cat?”

“Of course I was there,” she says without hesitation. “But I’d neverroot against you. Well, I wouldn’t mean it, at least. I was supposed to cheer today, but I’m on light duty. Ankle thing.”