Page 113 of The Destruction You Desire

"I can't even begin to imagine," I confess, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "You up for heading to Rosewood for the weekend? Get away from all this for a bit."

"We're not really getting away if we've got to talk to your mom," she points out.

"True. But it'll be a change of scenery. And I'm pretty sure my mom is going to be stoked to see you."

"Yeah?"

"She ripped me a new one when I told her that we'd fallen out before you left. I think she'd had her heart set on you giving her her first grandbaby."

Neither of us needs to say it, but that is the exact reason why Brett did what he did. If I'd got Peyton pregnant young and I'd had to make a choice then I'd have chosen her and our baby any day, just like Shane did.

"You can meet my niece," I blurt.

She looks up at me with curious eyes as we step into the elevator together.

"You've got a niece?"

"Yep. Shane had a kid with Chelsea Fierce."

"Get out, he did not!"

"He did. Gave up football to be a dad. He's actually at MKU part-time right now."

"Well, shit. How did that happen?"

"Well, now you mention it," I say, backing her into the wall with a smirk playing on my lips. "I think he put his coc—" Her hot fingers press against my lips.

"That is not what I meant. All I remember of Chelsea is her following you around like a lost puppy."

"Yeah, well. She got bored of me and hooked up with Shane instead."

"Well, I can't wait to meet her."

"She's pretty fucking awesome," I confess, thinking of her sweet face and chubby cheeks as I lean forward for a kiss.

"I-if things were different, I never would have held you back, you know that right?"

I pause only a breath from her lips.

"I just needed you to know. If I never left and we stayed together, no matter what happened, all I wanted for you was to follow your dreams."

"I know, baby," I say, bumping my nose against hers. "But equally, I'd have given it all up for you, just like Shane did."

I'm never going to say that Brett was right in what he did, but I understand his fear because while football is literally his life, my future in football is his one main focus, it's only a small part of my life, and he saw that.

She shakes her head.

"I still would," I admit, finally capturing her lips.

I reluctantly pull back when the doors slide open and pull her from the small space.

"You never have to give up, or do anything for me, Luc. I want you to do things for you. If you still want football, the NFL, then you go for it, I'll be right by your side cheering you on from the sidelines. But equally, if you really think this is it for you, then I'll support what you want to do instead."

I don't say anything, I just let her words repeat over and over in my head as we make our way to my car.

Pushing her against the passenger door, I cage her body in, pressing my length against her.

Leaning in, I brush my lips against the shell of her ear. "The only thing I know that I want for sure right now is you," I breathe.