Page 150 of Renegade Rift
“What about your parents?” My fears shine through, tumbling out before I can bite them back. “Soph said you asked to work remotely. How’s this going to work if you move back to California?”
“Is that what you thought?” Her words hold a hint of accusation, but she gives my hands a reassuring squeeze as I nod. “Shit. I’m sorry. I should have clarified with Sophia. I’m going tovisitmy parents. They weren’t thrilled about everything, especially us, but this is my life. Not theirs.”
“Fuck, I’m so proud of you,” I say softly.
“Will you still mean that if I tell you that I am planning on moving out of the Row when I get back?”
My gut plummets just a little. “You don’t want to live with me?”
“I do.” Her confidence doesn’t waver, and it’s beautiful. “But I also know we’ve moved really fast, and I absolutely want all the things with you. Right now, that means learning to be me in my own space and dating you for reals.”
Damn it. I can’t even be mad at that answer.
My brow lifts. “Do we still get to have sleepovers?”
“All the sleepovers.”
“Then it doesn’t matter to me where you live as long as you’re mine.” I lift my hand and cup her jaw, running my thumb over her cheek. “And I’m still so damn proud of you.”
“I wouldn’t have had the strength to stand up to them or make these decisions if it wasn’t for you.” She leans into my touch, and I love being her stability. “But I do need to face the consequences of my actions, and that means reforging a relationship with my parents. Which is why I am going tovisitthem for a few weeks after the game tonight.”
“As in, you’re coming back, right?”
I’m an idiot. And Sophia is going to get an earful for not asking more questions.
Juliet nods and the weight on my chest lifts, allowing me to breathe freely for the first time since leaving New York.
“I just didn’t want to leave without making sure I talked with you. And then when I called Carson and told him my plan, he helped me make it happen.”
Oh, I will so be paying that asshole back someday.
“It was supposed to be after the game,” Juliet explains. “But Carson let me know you needed me now.”
“I—” Fuck, maybe I owe the jerk. “I don’t know whether I want to kiss you or be angry at all of you for keeping this from me.”
“Kiss me.” She steps forward and wraps her arms around my neck. “Definitely kiss me.”
My hands shake as I pull her against me and lower my lips until they’re a hair's breadth away from hers. “I love you, Juliet Cruz.”
“And I love you, Ford McCoy.”
It’s the sweetest declaration I’ve ever heard, only minorly fucked up by my anxiety.
But I’ll take it.
“Say it again,” I murmur.
“I love you.” Her lips brush mine with each word. “Now kiss me.”
“As you wish.”
I press my lips to hers, fully intending to keep it chaste, but Juliet has other plans.
She nips the bottom of my lip hard, forcing a moan from the back of my throat. The second my mouth opens, she deepens the kiss, tangling her tongue with mine. And her tongue. Holy shit, it’s only been four days, but I’d almost forgotten how warm and responsive it is to mine.
I’m lost in Juliet’s kiss when the sound of the crowd erupts in applause.
At first, I think it’s just my teammates, but as seconds pass, I realize it’s much too loud to be just the Renegades.
