Page 120 of Let You Love Me

“Because . . . I’m different now, not the same woman I used to be. So, if you like me, the woman, you likely wouldn’t have liked me, the girl.”

Am I looking for reasons he’s not perfect for me?

Teagan shakes his head, undeterred. “You’re so much more than the person you give yourself credit for, and I have no doubt the Lane Turner you were then was every bit as amazing as the Lane Turner you are now. I like that you didn’t date every guythat looked your way. I like that you’re reserved, and I think it’s fucking adorable you follow the rules. I also love that you’re so close with your family, because I’m close with mine. They mean the world to me. And, yeah, parts of you changed with Sophie. That’s to be expected.” He reaches out and threads the fingers of his unbandaged hand through mine. “But that seventeen-year-old girl that faced adversity with fire in her eyes, that’s the same woman sitting here with me right now. Your tenacity and strength are your most desirable traits.”

One corner of his mouth hitches. “And I kind of love that you gave me a hard time at first. That you didn’t just fall over your feet for me.”

I swallow. “So, it’s the chase you like?” I ask, deflecting from this growing, aching, need in my chest that’s been with me all night.

“Of course not,” he says, his tone soft as his thumb continues tracing over my skin. “I just found it fucking adorable that you’ve been trying to resist me. As if you ever had a chance. As if we wouldn’t end up right here, regardless.”

“We’re not together, Teagan.”

“Yet.” His jaw flexes. “Not togetheryet.”

I swallow. “How are you so perfect?”

“I’m not. But maybe I’m just perfectfor you.”

I inhale a shuddering breath, because what if he’s right? What if heisperfect for me? Maybe he and I were meant to be together all along, and my path, everything I’ve been through up until this point, was merely a journey to lead me to him.

What if fate exists? And what if I could actually have my happily ever after?

Look at me, believing in fairy tales.

I squeeze his hand in mine. “Come to Sunday brunch with me this weekend,” I say, surprising even myself.

I promised my parents I’d be there this weekend, and it’s the perfect opportunity to both see him again and have them get to know him better. My father can see he’s so much more than one of his players. He can see for himself I’m safe with him. After threatening Chance tonight, he shouldn’t be there, but if he does have the balls to show up, at least I’ll have Teagan as a buffer.

“He knows we’re friends,” I say, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Though I’m pretty sure my parents will see right through me and sense there’s something more. Hell, my mother already does.

Teagan swallows, sorrow honing his features like rough-hewn granite. “This week might not be the best time. Somehow, I don’t think your father would be too thrilled to have me there, friend or not.”

I frown because I’d completely forgotten something happened tonight which he’s yet to tell me about—the reason he didn’t want to come inside and wait for me.

“Tell me. What happened?”

Chapter 30

TEAGAN

Silence surrounds us asI collect my thoughts, and though I appreciate her giving me the time and space to explain without rushing me, I’m not sure where to start because I don’t have any real answers.

“After practice, we entered the locker room like usual, except Coach came to tell us there’s a change in schedule for tomorrow, courtesy of the Chancelor.” I grit my teeth and move on. “At the same time as Chance pulled him aside, I opened my locker, and something fell from the top shelf. It caught me off guard, cracking me in the mouth, then falling to the ground by my feet. Turns out, it was a booze bottle. And of course, your father was there to witness the whole thing. Needless to say, he was pissed.”

I huff out a breath, still frustrated as hell with the situation. “You know he runs a tight ship. A lot of other coaches in the league turn a blind eye to half the shit their players do, but not him. Anyway, add this to the hazing prank incident last month, and I have two strikes against me, as he so kindly reminded me.I think it’s safe to say I’m on his shit list right now and I won’t be getting off it any time soon.”

Lane’s brow furrows and she shakes her head as if trying to make sense of it.

Join the fucking club.

“I don’t understand. If it wasn’t yours, who would’ve put it there?”

“Hell if I know.” I growl, pulling my hand from hers and shoving it through my hair. “Someone must’ve stashed it there, but the question is how?”

“Who all has access to your combination?”

“I assume Coach does and maybe the janitor in case there’s a problem? Fuck, I don’t know.” I knead the back of my neck, and the muscles tense even thinking about it. “It’s possible someone watched me put the combo in and kept it, but if that’s the case—”