He quickly amends the statement. “Hell, I’m still embarrassed. My father has always been a drain. Not only on me, but my mom as well. I hate that he’s in my life, causing havoc. The last thing I wanted to do was bring him into yours. Coach has been nothing but good to me. How could I repay that kindness by bringing a degenerate into his daughter’s life?” His voice dips, sounding scraped raw. “Tell me how I was supposed to do that?”
The heaviness of his emotion shatters my heart into a thousand jagged pieces.
“I wish you had trusted me with the truth.”
“It had nothing to do with trust and everything to do with keeping you safe. That’s all I wanted to do. Protect you.”
With my palms still cupping his cheeks, I bring my forehead to rest against his. “Your father has nothing to do with you. The truth wouldn’t have changed my feelings.”
“I realize that now. I made a mistake, and I hurt you. I understand if that’s something you can’t forgive.” His gaze clings to mine. “But I hope you will. I love you, Demi. I always have.”
“I love you, too.”
Air escapes from his lungs in a rush as he tilts his head until his mouth can slant across mine. When his tongue sweeps over the seam of my lips, it never occurs to me to hold back. No one has ever made me feel the way Rowan does. And the truth of the matter is, I don’t think anyone ever will again.
What we’ve found is once in a lifetime.
He breaks away long enough to search my gaze. “From the very beginning, it’s been you.”
It might have taken me three years to realize that I had feelings for him, but I’m there now. He took the time to break down all of my resistance until I could see the man standing before me with his hand stretched out.
Maybe I didn’t want to admit it—even privately to myself, but it’s always been Rowan. And if I have my way, that will never change.
Epilogue
Rowan
Three years later...
“As you can see, the kitchen is completely stainless steal with brand new marble countertops.” The real estate agent beelines from the spacious kitchen with an island so massive, I could probably roll around on it, to the adjoining living room.
Instead of following her, I stay in the kitchen and stare at the island. I can just imagine christening the joint, and that ocean of white marble is the first place I’d start.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking,” Demi whispers in my ear.
“That’s because you’re a dirty girl and thinking the exact same thing.”
“Only with you,” she says, pressing a kiss against my lips.
“Hey, that’s my line.” I glance at the realtor who stands next to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the white-capped waves of Lake Michigan.
“You have to check out the view!” She pauses for a beat before doing her best impersonation of Vanna White. “Isn’t it absolutely fabulous?”
Ignoring the woman, I glance around the wide-open space. “What do you think of the place?”
We’ve been condo hunting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and have toured a couple dozen buildings. Demi and I have spent the last two years living in separate cities. I ended up getting drafted in the first round by the Milwaukee Mavericks and Demi tried out for the Chicago Suns women’s soccer team after graduation and made it. Even though we’ve been in different cities, we’ve only been an hour and a half away from each other. As much as it sucks, it could be worse.
The most challenging part has proven to be when we’re both in season. My training camp starts mid-July and goes through February, depending on if we’re knocked out of the playoffs. Professional soccer runs April through October. It’s a constant battle to find time together.
While Demi has enjoyed playing in the NWSL for two years, she’s decided to hang up her cleats and attend graduate school for a master’s in Exercise Science. She’s already been accepted at the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin and is now moving here permanently.
Demi makes a visual sweep of the kitchen and living area. “I like it.”
The place is just shy of three thousand square feet and is located on the thirtieth floor. There are three spacious bedrooms and a study with wood paneling.
“Did I mention there’s a rooftop garden?” Cindy, the realtor, takes a step toward us. Her high heels click against the sea of shiny hardwoods. “I’d be happy to show it to