Page 56 of All This Time (Blossom Peak #1)

Leaning closer to him, I make sure his eyes are locked with mine when I say these next words.

“Listen closely because I’m only going to say this once.

I’m done with you. I am done being your verbal and physical punching bag.

I am done covering for you, feeding your fucking habit, and feeling sorry for you because I know that the game was the one thing that made you feel worthy, and you lost it before you were ready.

But if there’s anything I’ve learned watching you, it’s that football isn’t everything. ”

I glance over at Laney, her eyes brimming with tears as she nods, encouraging me to continue.

“You hit me, took out your anger on me, and Laney was the one who helped me heal. She iced my bruises, she cleaned up my cuts, and she’s the reason that I became the man I am today. Not you.”

A tear slips down my dad’s cheek.

“So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to get help, go to rehab, and publicly admit to the abuse and agree that I punched you out of self-defense, or I will never speak to you again.”

“Fletcher…” he croaks.

“Your hospital bills are covered, so don’t worry about that. But if you decide to call me when you get out of here, it had better be to tell me you agree to my terms, or kindly delete my fucking number and forget that I ever existed.”

He closes his eyes and turns his head away from me. When I look over at Laney, she’s smiling at me even as tears stream down her face.

I lead her out of the room. She hops up just enough to wrap her arms around my neck. “I’m so proud of you.”

I hold onto her like the lifeline that she is. “I’m shaking.”

“You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

My emotions overwhelm me. “The look on his face…” I mutter as my lips find her temple. Gratitude radiates from my chest as I hold onto her, squeezing her tight enough that I know she’s not going to disappear.

“He needed to hear it. If he genuinely loves you, he’ll do what he needs to do.”

“How can a parent hit their child?” I murmur, asking the question I’ve never been able to find the answer to. “How could he hit me and say he loved me at the same time?”

She leans back and holds my face between her hands.

“I don’t know, but I love you. You are the man who defined strength and determination for me.

You’re the man I’ve measured all others against. And you’re the man I want to build a life with.

I can’t wait to have our own children to love the way you deserved to be loved, Fletcher. ”

Fuck. This is how I know this woman saved me—because she loved me even when I thought I didn’t deserve it.

“That’s why you’re my angel, Laney.”

“And I always will be.” Our lips meet and I take as much time as I need to gather myself while holding this woman in my arms.

When I glance down the hall, two police officers are waiting for me, as well as several reporters.

So, with my girl by my side, I tackle this next hurdle in my life, knowing I have her to lean on this time. And soon the entire world will know that this woman owns me—mind, body, and soul.

***

“Are you sure this is a good idea? I thought we were trying to keep a low profile after Saturday.”

Lifting Laney’s hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss the back of it, continuing to drive as fast as I can away from Blossom Peak.

It’s Wednesday night, and since all of the wedding stuff is done and my father is still in the hospital for a while, I decided to surprise Laney with a night out, away from the rumors in town and the tension with my friends, but in a place that I know I can still have control over who sees us.

Plus, I’ve waited twelve years to take this woman on a date, and I’m not waiting any longer.

“Angel, I’m about to show you how having money has changed my life.”

She rolls her eyes. “Look, I’m not na?ve to the fact that you earn an eight-figure salary, Fletcher. But if you think acting like a pompous ass and throwing it around will impress me, then you don’t know me as well as you thought.”

I glance over at her before focusing my eyes back on the road. “Look, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just trying to reassure you that I can guarantee us some privacy tonight, all right? I have connections and the ability to spoil you, so I’m going to. Tonight means a lot to me, Laney.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because it’s our first official date and the last first date you’ll ever have.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because you and me are endgame, angel. Plain and simple.”

I can feel her staring at me from the passenger seat, but she chuckles before directing her eyes back to the windshield. “Then this better be one hell of a first date, Fletcher. Otherwise, I might just have to reassess some things.”

I lift her hand and kiss it again. “I promise not to disappoint.”

As I continue to drive to Charlotte, prepared to show Laney what our life would be like when she comes to visit me in the city, I think about how I used to fantasize about our first date back when we were teenagers.

“You know, if I were still seventeen, I’d be taking you to a movie tonight, buying us all of the best snacks, and trying to feel you up the whole time.”

Her mouth drops open. “What? That’s what you had planned for our first date?”

I shrug unapologetically. “I can’t deny that my dick came up with that plan. I’d have taken you for ice cream afterward, though.”

“Wow. It’s a good thing you never got that chance then—because I would have been severely disappointed.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t sound as amazing now as it did back then.”

Laney laughs. “You think?” She clears her throat. “By the way, after my conversation with my dad yesterday, I think we should talk to Rhonan when we get back.”

“How’s he doing?”

“My dad said he’s been a bear, even snapping at Joanne and Ellis, but he made sure to bring him back to reality. The thing is, I think he’s more hurt because we weren’t honest with him from the start.”

I reach up and readjust my hat. “That’s my fault. The lack of honesty started the moment I started crawling through your bedroom window instead of his.”

“Well, I didn’t tell him how I felt about you either, so we both are at fault here.”

“Hopefully, once he hears our story, he’ll understand.”

“My dad seems to think so.”

My eyes flick over to her. “You told your dad everything?”

“I sort of had to, but don’t worry. He’s not mad at you, more at your father and for not picking up on something going on himself, especially when you were at our house so much.”

“No one is to blame here, but when we get back, a lot needs to come out in the open.”

“Agreed.”

I just hope that my friends are willing to listen and understand.

***

“You weren’t kidding about being treated differently, were you?

” Laney asks as I pull out her chair at the table set for two in the private room I booked for us at Angeline’s, one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte.

This is, of course, after we entered through a private entrance and were escorted down a hall that the rest of the restaurant doesn’t have access to.

“Like I said, I wanted us to have our privacy. Angelo, the owner, always takes good care of me.”

Our waiter waits for me to sit before handing us our menus and mentioning the specials. Once we place our drink order, he saunters off. “This really is romantic, Fletcher. Thank you.”

“I told you. I wanted this to be a night you won’t forget. Dinner will be top-notch, but I still have another surprise up my sleeve.”

She scoots her chair closer to mine, leaning in so our mouths are just inches apart. “Part of me is glad that we didn’t get our first date until now.”

My eyes dip down to her lips. “Why is that?”

“Because this means so much more after what we’ve been through to get here.” She tilts her head and kisses me softly.

“Fuck, Laney.” Sliding my hand up her neck, I pull her closer until I can feel her chest against mine. I kiss her slow and soft, not having to rush, not feeling so desperate because, even though I know I’ll never get enough of her, tonight we have time.

We finally have fucking time.

We part just as the waiter comes back with her wine and my water. “Are you sure you don’t want to have a drink with me?” she asks.

“I’m sure.”

Her hand lands on my thigh. “One drink won’t turn you into your father, Fletcher.”

“I know, but honestly? I don’t miss it or feel like I’m missing out on anything. It makes my mind clearer, and I definitely don’t miss hangovers.”

“Okay. I just want you to know that I won’t judge you if you decide differently.”

I lean in and press my lips to hers again. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

The waiter comes by to take our order. Laney suggests I order a few of my favorite dishes for us to share. Once I’ve covered all the bases, she takes a sip from her wine and turns to face me again.

“So, speaking of the season…training camp starts soon, right?”

I finish chewing my bite of the freshly baked rosemary and olive oil bread. “Yes, at the end of July.”

“And what does that look like for you?” she asks, dropping her eyes to her lap.

I tip her chin up with my finger, forcing her to look at me. “I think the question you meant to ask is, what does that look like for us?”

Her eyes dart between mine. “That too.”

Grinning, I say, “Well, I won’t be able to see you at all for two weeks, but after the first week, we can talk on the phone.”

“Two weeks?” Disappointment coats her words.

“I know. Usually it doesn’t sound like much, but the thought of being away from you for that long already makes my chest ache.

” I take both of her hands in mine. “This isn’t going to be easy, Laney.

I’ve never played football and been in a relationship, but I’ll learn to manage it all. You just have to be patient with me.”

“This is all new to me too, Fletcher.”