“Why is that the salient point? In every other category, you’re still miles out of my league.”
“Because I know I’m going to be labeled a gold digger. I wasn’t always rich. I know how normal people think. They’ll think I knew about all that shit with my dad and latched onto you like a leech.” I punched my fist into my palm, but judging by the way the corners of his mouth twitched, the gesture probably didn’t have the desired effect.
“So what?”
“So, I don’t want them to think that. I don’t want it to taint our relationship. I don’t want anyone to think I’m with you for any reason other than you’re great, and I genuinely want to be.”
“You’re cute, but haven’t you always told me it doesn’t matter what other people think? To me, you’re the only thing that matters.”
I was melting inside, but I had to remain unyielding on the outside. I couldn’t lose this battle. “Can’t you just do it for me? I want to make it on my own. I’m not saying that I won’t accept any help from you, because that would just be stupid, but I won’t let you pay for my education.”
Groaning, he let his head slump back against the wall. “Then what am I allowed to help you with?”
“I wouldn’t mind having a new roommate next semester,” I said with a wink, and his eyes immediately lit up.
“Really?”
“Really. I might not be able to pay half the rent, but I’ll pay what I can.”
His face fell. “And what if I’m not here anymore?”
My brows drew together, and I tilted my head. “What are you talking about? You still have a—”
“The draft …” He interrupted me, with an apologetic expression. “I’ve been considering declaring early.”
“The draft,” I breathed. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I’d always assumed we’d have more than a full year of college together. Why had I never given the draft a second thought? Did I want a long-distance relationship?
“Before your mind goes into overdrive, I need you to know that I’d want you to go with me. No matter who picks me, I’d only go if you were willing to come with me.”
My breath caught in my throat, and my heart felt like it wanted to burst out of my chest. “You’re completely insane. Of course you’ll go if someone picks you.”
“Yeah” — he grinned — “if you come with me, that is.”
“Are you fucking serious?”
“Deadly serious.” His expression was one of no-compromise.
For a moment, there was nothing I could do but stare at him with my mouth hanging open.
“You’d put your whole future on hold for me?”
He jutted his chin forward. “I was willing to do it when shit went down with your father, so I’m damn well willing to do it now.”
“You can’t be serious.” My voice was no more than a squeak, and I wasn’t sure if it was out of frustration or disbelief that I could be so important to someone.
“Hailey” — his expression softened — “you don’t get it, I’d put everything on hold for you. If it means waiting for you to be ready, I’d sit out the draft, delay my career, whatever ittakes. None of it means anything without you. The NFL isn’t my future —youare.”
My world came to a complete standstill, my heart stopped, and my thoughts spun out of control. To realize Colt was willing to do anything for me, to realize I played such an incredibly significant role in the life of someone who was just as important to me …
It felt like I was being blown into a trillion atomic particles, then put back together again.Altered at the molecular level.I thought my feelings for Colt had reached their peak, but I guess there were still new summits to scale.
I lunged at him so fast he had trouble catching me in time despite his incredible reflexes. Stunned, he looked down at me as I tugged at his neck to make him bend his head toward me.
“I’ll go anywhere with you,” I promised, then pressed my lips to his in an intimate, passionate kiss, to which he responded with a moan as his large arms wrapped around me.
“But you’re still not paying for my education.” I pulled away from him. “And I’m going to work no matter where we end up. Got it?”
“Got it.” The grin on his face couldn’t be bigger, and he swooped down again to capture my lips in another kiss.
