Page 57 of Hung Up (Shadow Ridge #1)

FORT WORTH

someone worth winning for

Last night felt different. It wasn’t like every other time we’ve had sex before. No, this time it felt like we were making love, and that was such a calming thought to fall asleep to. It felt right, and it might be crazy, maybe I’m being delusional, but I swear she felt it, too.

But not knowing, that sliver of doubt that’s been lingering in my mind that I had avoided since Kai’s injury, started rearing its ugly head again when I woke up this morning.

And to make it worse, I woke up alone. What if I thought it was the final step, that I was ready to tell her I love her, only for her to tell me later that it was a great way to say goodbye?

What if that moment with her was intended to be our last?

It’s that thought that follows me through my shower and leaving the hotel, the one that causes me to pace after I pick my bull in the hallway outside the media room.

I love this girl. I know that probably surprises nobody—it’s not like I hid it very well.

Faith made me into a very ‘heart on my sleeve’ type of guy.

But what if I’ve misread all of these moments between us?

What if her fleeting looks meant something completely different?

Have I been delusional? Did I make it all up in my head?

Oh, god. I did, didn’t I?

I’m such a fucking idiot. God, Wyatt was right once again. I made myself see what I wanted to believe to be true and ignored all the signs.

Or maybe I read them all correctly, and she does feel the same.

Nope, you were completely off base. Don’t get your hopes up.

Fuck me.

“Didn’t anyone tell you that pacing like that is bad for your posture?”

Despite myself, a smile tugs at my lips at the sound of her voice, the memory from the very beginning replaying through my mind. “I recall someone very wise saying that to me once, I believe.”

“Extremely wise, you mean.” She chuckles before concern etches its way onto her face. “What’s wrong, Pretty Boy? Haven’t seen you anxious like this in a while.”

“It’s nothing,” I lie. If I don’t acknowledge the fear, if I don’t talk about what could happen, then maybe it never will. They tell you if you ignore something, it doesn’t come true, right? That’s the phrase?

“Jesse.” She’s in front of me before I even register that she has closed the gap between us, resting a hand on my arm. “You can talk to me.”

I plan on making something up, intend to play blissfully unaware of my own fears but my heart decides to say ‘screw that’ and takes control of my mouth, the words tumbling out of me before I can stop them.

“I’m fucking losing my mind, Faith. I have wanted this for as long as I can remember, but since you walked into that arena four months ago,” I pause, shaking my head and taking a deep breath.

“I don’t want anything anymore as much as I want you.

You’re what my heart wants. I know I’m doing this for Kai now, but I don’t even want this stupid buckle.

I’ve come to realize that nothing matters if you don’t have someone to celebrate your wins with.

“And I know you don’t want this, that you’ve made it clear you don’t want a relationship or for this to continue when the championships are over, but fuck me.

” I pinch the bridge of my nose, my jaw ticking as I avoid eye contact.

“I’ve been dreaming up a life we could have knowing damn well I’d get hurt at the end of it.

And I didn’t fucking care, I still don’t.

I just want you, all of you. And it kills me that I never will. ”

Faith pulls my hand away from my face, causing my eyes to shoot open. Her eyes are soft, a very subtle smile tugging at her lips as she grips my hands tightly in her own. “You have me.”

“Not the way I want,” I tell her, unable to keep the defeat from my voice. “Not the way that matters.”

“Jesse Hayes, you do.” She lets go of my hands and cups my face, an intensity in her gaze that keeps me locked in when she says, “I love you.”

It takes a moment for her words to register, but when they do? The look on my face must be purely comical because Faith chuckles, an adoring look evident in her beautiful blue eyes.

She loves me.

She loves me.

Faith Thompson loves me .

This can’t be real.

“Say it again,” I murmur, my hands landing on her hips and gripping them tightly, terrified that if I let go, this moment will have been a figment of my imagination. I need to hear her say it again.

“I love you,” she repeats, her smile amplifying.

“One more time.”

A breathy laugh peppers my lips. “I, Faith Thompson, am completely and utterly in love with you.”

I crash my lips to hers, the momentum sending us stumbling a step. It feels like my heart is going to explode, the relief and elation too much for my brain to handle right now. All I can keep thinking is that Faith is finally, one hundred percent without a doubt, mine.

Pulling away, she chuckles as she gently rubs her thumb along my cheek. I rest my hand on her wrist, looking into those eyes that I adore more than life itself, beyond grateful that I get to look at them for the rest of my life.

“I love you, too, Sweetheart,” I breathe, a lone tear that I didn’t even know was there in the first place rolling down my face. “God, I love you so much.”

“I know.” She presses a quick, gentle peck to the side of my mouth. “And I’m sorry if it took me a while to get there. Thank you for being so patient with me.”

I tip my head up, pressing my lips against her forehead as I mumble, “I’d wait for you forever if I had to.”

“Jesse Hayes, please report to chute three.”

“Go get ‘em, Pretty Boy.”

As I walk to the chute, I realize I’m lighter than I’ve ever been.

I’m no longer plagued by doubt or fear, that voice in the back of my head finally silenced.

There’s a calmness that has washed over me, taking all that has weighed me down these last four months with it.

It seems like everything is finally falling into place.

There’s just one thing that I have left to do.

Win that buckle.

It’s no surprise that my ride goes extremely well, solidifying my first-place position heading into the championships.

Bubba gave it his all tonight, but his all wasn’t going to be enough to prevent me from staying on ‘til that buzzer—not after that. I’d be damned if I was anything less than perfect after the woman of my dreams told me she loved me.

What a fool of myself I would’ve made.

Faith is waiting for me when I exit the ring, leaping into my arms and wrapping her arms around my neck. I squeeze her back just as tightly, elated that I will never have to wonder if it’s the last time I’ll ever hug her—I’m going to get to hug her as much as I want for the rest of our lives.

If someone had told me the first day she walked in that I’d one day be head over heels for her and that she’d love me too, I would’ve told them they were crazy.

But life has a funny way of working things out, of giving you exactly what you need when you need it, and sometimes when you least expect it.

Working for her love might just be the greatest thing I’ve ever done with my life, and the one that has given me the greatest reward. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d spend every single day trying to become the man that deserves her—but the fact that she thinks I already am is enough for now.

Rylie appears just as we separate, a knowing smile on her face as she glances between the two of us. “You finally admitted it, huh?”

“Maybe,” Faith replies with a shrug, wrapping her arm around my waist. “It’s not me you need to interview, though.”

“Oh, I’ll be interrogating you later, don’t worry.” She gives her friend a wink before turning to me. “I have just one question for you tonight. In your previous seasons, you always started out strong but seemed to struggle as the season progressed.”

Faith chuckles as I grumble. “Thanks, Rylie.”

“I’m just stating facts.” I’m about to make a smartass remark when she continues. “However, this year, you’ve been having near-perfect or perfect rides all season, aside from your injury, of course. The fans want to know, what’s your secret?”

“It’s no secret,” I reply, looking at Faith as I say, “I found someone worth winning for. And the best part is, it doesn’t matter what happens in Arlington. I’ve already won.”

Faith’s eyes grow misty, so much love in them that I feel suddenly overwhelmed. But Rylie’s fake sniffle draws my attention back to her as she wipes under her nose. “Enough, you guys, you don’t have to be so cute. No need to rub it in my face.”

“It’s not like we haven’t had to see you and Stetson getting all cozy and romantic before,” Faith says, rolling her eyes. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”

“I am. Doesn’t mean I want to see it.” Rylie shrugs, not looking the least bit sorry. “PDA and romance grosses me out.”

It’s me laughing this time. “Whatever you say.” I press a kiss to the side of Faith’s head before whispering in her ear, “Let’s get out of here.”

It’s time for me to show Faith just how much I love her.