wine I’d been refilling after we ran out of beer, I’d have answered the door with shouts. Instead, I opened it and lifted a brow.
He looked good. Too good. He must have flown in straight after the championship game on a red-eye instead of staying with the team. I’d already heard from various sources on social media that they’d won.
“Hey, Ember,” he said and shifted from foot to foot. He was still carrying his backpack and luggage, so he hadn’t even gone back to his own apartment yet. I refused to let that soften me toward him.
I took a long swallow of wine for courage. It hurt so good to see him. If he’d wanted to prove how much I needed him in my life, he’d done a damn good job of it. That didn’t mean I had to be happy about any of it.
“Glad to see you made it back,” I said.
He nodded. His expression was so downtrodden it made me want to take him into my arms. “I wanted to come see you.”
“Now you’ve seen me,” I said.
“Can I come in?”
If I were a stronger person, I would have said no. But I missed him, so I moved back so he could come inside. “I was just about to go to bed,” I said.
“I understand. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Make sure you’re okay.”
Dammit.
Why did he have to be so nice? “I’m fine.”
He sat on the couch next to me, but he could have been back in Omaha for how uncomfortable it felt. Why was this so weird and awkward? Could we get back to the place we were in before we lost the baby? Did he want to? I didn’t know.
But I wasn’t going to be a coward about it anymore. If I’d learned anything through this experience, it was that life was short, and it was important to nurture the good things while you had them because they could be taken from you at any moment. Before Tripp, I’d resisted enjoying those things simply because they could leave. But now, I knew it was better to fall and fall hard because that’s what made life worth living.
I choked back my stubborn defenses and let go of my anger. “Tripp, I’ve spent this time apart thinking about all the things you ever said to me. While you were gone, I got to experience what life was like without you, and I didn’t like it. You make me happy, even when you’re pissing me off. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want to be apart anymore.”
He pulled me into his arms. “It was killing me not having you there. We won, and I didn’t even care. All I could think about was getting back to you.”
I punched him in the stomach. “Next time, don’t make me stay away.”
“You won’t get a chance. You’re obligated to go to all of my games for the rest of your life.”
“Does that mean we’re done with this whole space thing? ‘Cause, honestly, it sucked. I’m not a fan.”
“Totally done. I was a shit for thinking I knew what was best for you.”
“You’re forgiven as long as it never happens again.” I let myself relax and enjoy the feel of him around me again. I wasn’t going to cry. I wasn’t going to cry.
When I’d had my fill, I got back to my feet. “Be right back.” I went to my room and retrieved a small bag from one of the boxes. “I wanted you to have this.”
“Em,” his voice cut off as he dug inside the gift bag and pulled out a little onesie. It was a Florida Falcons jersey for a newborn with WILDER stitched on the back.
“I thought you would think it was a cute way to tell your parents.”
“You— When did you get this?”
I lifted a shoulder. “When I first found out. I meant to give it to you when I told you, but I was so emotional about the twins that I completely forgot. You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.”
“No, I want it.” His voice sounded like it had been mixed with gravel. He tugged me down so that I straddled his lap. For a moment, all he could do was hold me. “I want it more now than I’ve ever wanted anything. Will you be with me? I don’t want to spend any more time apart.”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “Yes, that’s what I want.”
“Then, you’re stuck