His smirk returns. "Knew it."
"Shut up."
"Sweet dreams, baby," he murmurs, voice warm and teasing. "Try not to think about me too much."
His laugh is the last thing I hear before the call ends, leaving me staring at my phone, wondering how I ever thought I could live without him.
51
JAXON
Idon’t think I’ve ever driven the speed limit so impatiently in my life.
The second my plane landed, I was gone—duffel slung over my shoulder, car keys in hand, body running on adrenaline alone. Pro Day went better than I could’ve imagined. The scouts were watching, the numbers were there, and everything I’ve worked for since I was a kid is now right in front of me, just waiting for me to grab it.
But all I can think about is her.
Leaving for Pro Day was brutal. Not because I didn’t want to go—hell, I’ve dreamed of that moment my whole life—but because I finally had her back. After everything we’ve been through, after all the ways I’ve lost her, it damn near killed me to walk away, knowing I wouldn’t see her for days.
But now, I’m home.
Now, she’s waiting for me.
I pull into the driveway of the football house and barely let my truck roll to a stop before I’m out, slamming the door shut behind me as I grab my bag from the back. The house is already buzzing when I walk inside—guys moving around, music playing low from someone’s speaker, cologne thick in the air.
They’re getting ready to go out.
Logan looks up from the couch as I step inside, tossing a beer to one of the guys. “Look who finally made it back. Pro Day go as well as expected?”
I drop my bag by the stairs, running a hand through my hair. “Better,” I admit, unable to stop the small grin that creeps onto my face. “Numbers were solid, drills felt good. Think I made an impression.”
“No doubt, man,” one of my other teammates chimes in. “You’ve been a lock for the league before you ever got here.”
Logan nods, cracking open his beer. “We’re headed to the bar to celebrate, but I’m guessing you’ve got other plans.”
I don’t bother denying it. They all know exactly where I’m going.
I just chuckle, shaking my head as I make my way toward the stairs. “You’d assume correctly.”
“Tell Madison we say hey,” Logan calls after me, amusement thick in his voice.
I don’t even turn around as I climb the stairs two at a time, stripping off my hoodie the second I hit the hallway.
Shower first. Then, I’m headed straight to my girl.
I take the stairs two at a time, my pulse kicking up with every step. I’m exhausted, running on barely any sleep, but none of that matters. The only thing I care about right now is her.
I shove my bedroom door open, already reaching for the hem of my shirt?—
And stop dead in my tracks.
She’s here, sitting on my bed, curled up against my pillows. Her hair is damp like she just got out of the shower, loose strands falling around her face as she looks up at me. She’s wearing one of my hoodies—the same one she stole months ago, the sleeves bunched around her fists—and a pair of shorts mostly hidden beneath the fabric.
Just like that, my exhaustion evaporates.
I don’t know how long I stand there, just taking her in, buteventually, she tilts her head, a slow, knowing smile pulling at her lips. “Hey, stranger,” she murmurs.
A deep exhale leaves my lungs, and I can’t fight the grin stretching across my face. “Hey, beautiful.”
