find her on the floor with a heap of envelopes and packages scattered around her. Her eyes are bright red, along with her nose.
I rush to her and wrap my arms around her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything is fine. You wrote to me not long ago.”
Maneuvering my body, I sit behind her with my legs on either side and wrap her in my arms. “I did.” I’d completely forgotten. “You showing up threw me, and I neglected to mention it.”
“Look, I found every letter and parcel from you and Mom. You really did never forget me.”
Leaning my head against hers, I inhale her apple-scented shampoo. “I never could. But that letter was probably going to be my last. I had to let you go. I hadn’t heard from you. I suppose a part of me was hanging on to the hope you’d come back, and then, out of nowhere, you were here.”
“I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting. I didn’t want to be a burden on you with my messed-up head and all.” She turns her head, her green eyes shining with tears. Without thinking, I press my mouth to hers. My hand grips her neck and holds her against me; I never want to let her go.
“I’ll take you, all of you. I love you,” I whisper against her freshly kissed lips.
“I love you too. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“I never will.”
One week later
“So, this is officially happening now? You and Jase.” Paislee practically bounces in her seat as we wait for the players to run out onto the field.
My grin hasn’t been wiped from my face the whole week. “Yep. It’s happening.”
“Oh yeah, I’m a great matchmaker.” She holds her hand up, waiting for a high five, which of course I give her. Earlier this week, I’d filled her in on the letters I found. She was blown away that Jase had actually taken the time to write them to me for so long. He didn’t seem like the type, she’d said.
“And how are you with everything about your dad?”
“I’m okay. I went and saw the psychologist on Monday. It was good to offload to someone who can offer the help I need. Jase has been amazingly supportive, as has Mom. So, everything is slowly working its way into place.”
“That’s really good. I’m happy for you, and I’m so glad you came back into my life.”
“Me too,” I say.
She opens her mouth to say something but then the crowd goes crazy. Paislee and I stand with the rest of the fans. Clapping and loud whooping come from Paislee and me.
“I think you pair are the loudest here tonight,” Elsie says.
Addison and Elsie stand there with handfuls of food and drinks. We grab the food and take our seats.
“Well, we have to be. Charity has to show all the support for her man.” Paislee gives me a sly grin.
Both Addison and Elsie face me with their eyes wide. “So, you’re officially together?” Elsie asks.
“Yep,” I respond before taking a sip of my drink.
We watch the game, chatting. Jase keeps glancing up to where we’re sitting. He gives me little waves and keeps playing. The simple gesture starts a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
Our team scores the winning try. The crowd goes crazy. I love the vibe and excitement here. It’s electric.
“Where’s he going?” Elsie asks. When I follow her line of sight, Jase is heading for the stands. “Oh, I think I know exactly where he’s heading.”
Paislee shifts to let him in. My eyes follow his every move as he stands right beside me. I stand, and Jase wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him then dips his head and his mouth presses against mine. People around us are wolf-whistling and cheering. Heat warms my cheeks.
He pulls back but keeps his head pressed against mine. “I love you. Always have, always will.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I say, “I love you too.”
His mouth claims mine. Happiness and love is something I’m glad I came home to. Everything I need is here in this town. The man beside me has helped pull me back from hell, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Two years later
“I’m so glad we’re doing this and that everyone can make it,” I say to Jase while standing in the kitchen of the house we’ve just purchased. Jase got drafted to the New York Giants like his brother, Lachlan. Lachlan has been a regular visitor to our place, along with