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Forever Goals 42
“Not yet.”“They seemed okay last night though, right?”“Yeah, Dad, they seemed okay.” Lily had been a little tipsy, but she’d been smiling, and they had danced together a lot. So I figured that they had smoothed things over.At least, I hoped they had because I didn’t like seeing my sister sad.“Look what the cat dragged in,” Dad chuckled as Asher joined us.“I think something crawled inside me and died.”“We’re not twenty-one anymore, Ash.” Mya rolled her eyes. “You can’t keep up with the kids.”He dropped down onto a chair and ran a hand down his face. “I’ll have you know I drank the kids under the table.” His weary gaze flicked toward Aaron and Ezra who both smirked.“We were up at eight and down here at nine, old man.”“They have a point, Ash,” Mya said, fighting a grin.“Oh hush, woman, and get me some coffee. Strong, black coffee.” He dropped his head on the table, and everyone laughed.“I think you broke him,” I said to Aaron and Ezra.“He only got what he deserved. Oh, here’s
Forever Goals 43
XANDER“I hear congratulations are in order,” I said as Lily and Kaiden came into River’s room.She’d been given her own space now she was off most of the machines helping her breathe and regulate her body temperature.“Thanks,” Kaiden said, keeping one hand on his fiancée.Fuck. The pressure was on now. Once one guy in a friend group proposed the rest usually fell like dominoes. But we had our hands full with River. Weddings and all that other stuff could wait.Peyton knew I loved her.I didn’t need to put a ring on her finger to prove that.“How’s she doing?” he asked, tipping his head toward where River slept peacefully.“She’s a fighter.”“She’s growing,” Lily said, going over to the bassinet.“Yeah, she’s gained a few more ounces.”“Where’s Peyton?”“She’ll be—”The door opened and Peyton came inside.“You’re here.” She smiled. “Let me see.”Lily held out her hand and the two of them gushed over the rather impressive ring on her finger.“That signing bonus must have been pretty n
Forever Goals 44
“Hands down the scariest moment of my life when you went into early labor. The thought of losing you or her…”“Shh.” I reached for his hand. “We’re both going to be fine.”“I’m probably going to be an overbearing ass, you know that, right?” His mouth quirked.“I would expect nothing less. Lily said she could see me in her today.”“Oh, she’s all her mama.”“I don’t know. Sometimes I look at her and see you.”“She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. She’s all you, Peyton.”“Sometimes you really do say the sweetest things.” I flashed him a playful smile. “This is nice. It almost feels like we’re doing it for real now she has her own room.”“Babe, we are doing it for real. Just because she isn’t home with us yet doesn’t change anything.”“I know, I just feel like we’re missing out on so much.”My heart was still so heavy, but I was trying to be more upbeat. River was doing amazing, and they were talking about discharging her soon.I just wanted to be out of here, at home with her an
Forever Goals 45
Engaged.We were engaged.And I didn’t know how much it would mean to me until Kaiden had dropped to his knees before me and poured his heart out.“It doesn’t matter now,” he said, kissing my forehead. “All that matters is this. Us. And the life we’re going to create together. Now can we please go inside. I have big plans for you.”A shiver went down my spine at the huskiness in his voice as we reached the front door.Mom and Dad were out tonight, and Poppy was staying over at the Bennets’ house which meant we had the house to ourselves for a few hours. Something I was dying to take advantage of since Kaiden would leave again on Tuesday.But I didn’t want to dwell on that.Not tonight.Not when I was so happy and—“Surprise!” Our family and friends were crammed into the hall, a homemade banner hanging on the wall.“What is—”“We wanted to surprise you.” Poppy beamed.“Oh, I’m surprised,” I said, glancing back at Kaiden. “Did you know about this?”“Nope, I’m as surprised as you.”I saw
Forever Goals 46
“Yeah, we’ll see.” He got a faraway look in his eyes, like he couldn’t imagine a time where he and Pen didn’t have to help raise their kid brother and sister.“Well, when me and Lily get settled, you’re all invited to come and visit us.”“Does that invitation come with VIP tickets to your first game?”“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I might not even make the roster yet.”“You’ll make it.” Bryan gave me a reassuring nod.“Only time will tell.”I didn’t want to think too far ahead. All I could do was apply the mantra that had gotten me through four years of college football. Play hard. Fight hard. And hope like hell it was enough.“It’s hard to think that in another four years, we’ll all be in the next stage of our lives,” Cole said. “Weddings, kids, careers.”“You got something you want to tell us, Kandon?” Aaron arched his brow.“Don’t look at me. Me and Sofia have no plans to put down roots yet. Too much we want to see and do.”“Vera won’t last forever,” he said.“She’s still got plent
Forever Goals 47
“Fine. Steal the cutie.”“Did somebody say cutie?” Miley came into the room carrying a very animated Dexter.I got up and went to them. “Did somebody wake up full of beans?”“He sure did. I’m just about to hand him off to my mom before the ceremony. But I knew you wanted to see him.”“Of course I want to see him.” I squeezed his pudgy little hand. “You be a good boy for grandma, okay? And we’ll have a dance later.” I kissed his soft baby hair, my heart fluttering.Miley had been pregnant on her wedding day, but it wasn’t meant to be. She’d miscarried at nine weeks. They had spent the next two years trying and just when they were about to start looking into their options, Dexter came along and surprised everyone.“Good luck out there,” Miley said. “Not that you need it. This day has been a long time coming.”Three years to the day in fact.After Kaiden had proposed we had every intention of having a spring wedding, but life got in the way.His first season with the Wild had turned into
Forever Goals 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
Forever Goals 2
I should have been walking on cloud nine. Except any happiness I felt was steeped in uncertainty and doubt knowing that Kaiden was about to embark on the next chapter of his life… without me.It was only temporary, but I already felt the permanence in my heart. The idea of not being in Kansas with him. Going to sleep with him at night, waking up with him in the morning.Four years.Four years with him at Penn State, loving and living, and now it had come to an end. I was so proud of him, of the man he’d become, but I couldn’t help but mourn the loss of our college life.College was safe. We had a routine. We had our favorite coffee shops and bars and restaurants. We had our gorgeous apartment.Had.The word clanged through me, realization hitting me again.Our life at Penn State was over.Poppy followed me inside, catching up to me and lacing her arm through mine. “I know you didn’t want a fuss, but Mom and I thought—”“Surprise,” the word rang out in the restaurant that I now realize
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