1

KAIDEN

“Congratulations, son.” Jason pulled me in for a one-armed hug, clapping me on the back. “I’m real damn proud of you, kid.”

“Thanks.” I stepped back, running a hand down my face.

“You good?” He studied me, and I desperately tried to school my expression.

“Y-yeah. All good, sir. But I was hoping—”

“There you are. My boy.” Mom swept me into her arms. “Gosh, I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Where’s Lily? I wanted to get a picture of the two of you.”

“I’m not sure.” It had been kind of crazy since we spilled out of the graduation ceremony to the crowd of friends and family all wanting to celebrate with us, and I’d lost her in the chaos.

“Can you see her?” I asked Jason and Felicity as they scanned the crowd for their daughter.

“Nope. But I’m sure she’s around here… Oh. There she is.” Felicity’s expression softened as we watched Lily approach with Poppy and Aaron in tow.

“Kaiden, my man,” Aaron held out his hand. “Looking good Mr. NFL Hotshot.”

“Babe,” Poppy chided. “We talked about this, remember?”

“Come on, Poppystar. Kaiden was drafted to one of the best teams in the country, you can’t expect me not to—”

“Aaron.” Lily shook her head, nestling herself to my side. “Hey.” She gazed up at me, and I fucking hated the glint of uncertainty there.

The last few months should have been the best of my life after I’d been drafted to one of the top teams in the NFL. But things between me and Lily were strained. My contract with the Kansas Wild would have me move a thousand miles across the country next week for rookie training camp. Then me and Lily planned to spend some time in Kansas, apartment hunting so that we’d be ready for her to join me for the start of the season.

With her cousin Avery getting married in a few weeks, and Peyton seven months pregnant, she wanted to spend some time in Rixon with them.

It made sense for me to make the move alone at first. I needed to gel with the team and fight for my place on the roster. But I didn’t relish the idea of being apart from Lily. Not after four years of having her so close.

“Hey.” I dropped a kiss on her head, wondering how I was supposed to leave her behind in less than a week.

I kept telling myself it was temporary, that it would all be worth it, but I couldn’t ignore the seed of doubt taking root in my chest.

“I can’t believe college is over,” Poppy said, breaking the tension a little. “You did it, Lilster.”

“That’s it now, out in the big wide world.” Aaron grinned. “At least you won’t have to worry about finding a job especially since you’re with Mr. Hotshot over here.”

“Seriously?” I quirked a brow at Aaron. “You’re an ass.”

“Photo time,” Mom called, ushering me and Lily over to a huge tree. “Say happy graduation.”

Lily smothered a laugh, smiling up at me again.

Fuck, I was going to miss her.

We’d spent time apart over the last four years. Football kept me busy. Especially when the season was in full swing. But this was different. This was the start of our lives together. Our future. And we wouldn’t even be in the same state for most of the summer.

“Get in there Jason, Felicity,” Mom ordered, and the Fords joined us.

“Proud of you, sweetheart,” Jason said as Felicity swiped a tear from her eye.

“Mom,” Lily groaned. “You promised.”

“I’m allowed to shed a tear or two, baby. We’re just so proud of you. Both of you.”

My chest tightened. Jason and Felicity weren’t only my girlfriend’s parents, they were family. And they had never made me feel anything less. Which is why I really needed to talk to Jason before I left.

But every time I went to bring it up, something or someone got in the way.

He squeezed my shoulder, leaning into whisper, “This is it, son. Everything you worked for is finally at your fingertips.”

I glanced at Lily and my chest tightened. It had always been football and her. Ever since that seven minutes of heaven in Lindsey Filmer’s boat shed, almost five years ago.

But I wasn’t ready for the day football took me away from her.

“I love you,” she mouthed, eyes twinkling with emotion.

Lily had come a long way in the last four years. She’d grown in confidence, in herself and in our relationship—accepting my endless love for her.

“Love you too,” I mouthed back. Not caring one single bit if we had an audience.

She was it for me.

The love of my life.

The woman I intended to spend the rest of my days with.

The woman I wanted to call my wife.

I just needed to make sure she knew that.

Sooner rather than later.

LILY

“What is this?” I asked Mom and Poppy as they wore mischievous grins.

“Your graduation dinner.”

Mom wasn’t fooling anyone, they were up to something. And I was pretty sure that something was beyond the balloon-lined door of the restaurant they had booked for dinner.

“Dad…”

“Don’t look at me,” he grumbled. “I had no part in this.”

I glanced at Kaiden and he chuckled, looking so handsome in his charcoal slacks and white dress shirt. “I’m as in the dark as you are.”

“Hmm.” I breezed past them all, entering the restaurant first like the strong, independent woman I was.

There had been a time, back in high school, when I thought I’d never get here. When I couldn’t imagine living such a happy, fulfilled life. But here I was.

With a degree to my name, a boyfriend who loved me unconditionally, and a family who supported me no matter what.