Page 96 of First Down Promise

“Ready to go?” I ask Abby as she finishes adding her toiletries to her carry-on suitcase. It’s open on my bed with her things in neat packing cubes inside, and she strategically places her toiletry bag on top.

“Just about. Boston’s going to be so cold,” she says.

I sweep the hair off the back of her neck and plant a kiss there. “But you get to spend tonight with me. I’ll keep you warm.”

She has spent nearly every night with me over the past week since the new year, and I have two theories about why—to catch up on all the evenings we spent texting and wishing we were together. And to avoid Pete. He was a lovable asshole at best when he wasn’t injured, and current circumstances could reasonably only add to his orneriness.

“I’m not looking forward to red-eye tomorrow night after the game,” she groans and turns to face me. “Sorry, I sound ungrateful. I’m just a little nervous. It’s your last game, and Pete won’t be there. And we’re flying separately,” she explains.

I take in the warm rings around her pupils that dissipate into her gray-blue irises and caress the side of her face with my hand. “It means a lot that you’re coming.”

“Believe me, I’m excited,” she adds.

“Good. We better get to the airport,” I say and bend to zip the top of my duffel closed.

I do my normal checks before I go out of town—lock the doors, turn the heat down a little to save energy, and make sure the stove isn’t on, even if I haven’t used it recently. Simple things that give me peace of mind when I’m on the road.

I put the strap of my duffel on my shoulder as Abby wheels her suitcase onto the front porch while I enable the security system. “Good leaving your car here?” I ask, locking the front door.

“Maybe I should drop it off at home. It’s technically Pete’s car after all...”

I unlock the doors to my truck as she circles her SUV. “What?”

“He bought it,” she answers, resting her backside against the outside of the car.

“Yeah, but for you.”

She dips her head. “I don’t know. I kind of want to give it back and get something of my own.”

The cold air starts poking through my sweatshirt, and I rub her upper arms because she might feel it, too. “This shit with Pete will pass.” She huffs out her breath, forming a cloud in the air. “We should go.”

“Follow me?” she replies.

“Of course.”

I load my bag and her suitcase into the backseat of my truck as she takes the driver’s seat of her SUV. She starts down my long driveway, and I stay back for a moment while my truck warms up. I follow the same path and bite my lip as I approach his house. Her car isn’t in the driveway, but she probably parked in the garage. I shift into park and leave my seatbelt buckled. Going inside isn’t as simple as it used to be, and fortunately, Abby walks out the front door seconds later.

“Pete was surprised to see me,” she comments and buckles her seatbelt.

“I bet. You didn’t come home last night,” I say with a bit of a smirk.

“I don’t think he expected me to, to be fair.”

I put the truck in gear and exhale as we start pulling away for the airport. Not that I thought Pete would come out, shaking his fist at me all while trying to hold his fucked up ribs. But that would’ve been funny, now that I think about it. Then, it occurs to me I haven’t seen or spoken to Pete since that morning he caught us. Not a single text either. My muscles tighten up, but I keep my hands firmly on the steering wheel and watch ahead. How long would I wager Pete holds a grudge?

“I’m going to miss you,” Abby groans as I stop at departures at the Nashville airport.

“It’s only a few hours,” I remind her, but she pops her bottom lip out in a pout. “Have a safe flight.” I lean over the center console, and she meets me halfway as our lips meet.

“You, too.”

“Need help with your bag?” I ask.

She gives a slight shake of her head. “I got it. See you in Boston.”

I lift our joined hands to my lips and kiss the back of her hand. My hand feels empty as she pulls hers from mine and hops out, shutting the door behind her. I twist to watch her retrieve her suitcase from the back seat and give me a small smile.

“Love you,” I quietly say.