Page 31

Eve

The stadium was alive with energy, the air electric and buzzing with the excitement of thousands of fans packed into the stands. It felt like the world was vibrating, the collective excitement of the crowd pulsing through me, too.

The smell of freshly cut grass mixed with the distinct scent of rain that hung in the air, promising something intense. It was game night, Carson's big football game, and everything seemed to be aligning perfectly.

Katie was beside me, bouncing on her feet, just as excited as I was. We both wore raincoats, though the weather had been growing increasingly more unpredictable, with clouds gathering above us and a light drizzle beginning to fall. But honestly? The rain didn't matter. Not when I was here, surrounded by friends and the love of my life.

"You ready for this?" Katie shouted over the noise, her voice tinged with excitement.

I nodded, trying to keep my nerves in check, though deep down, my heart was racing. Carson had trained so hard for this moment, and I couldn't help but feel proud. I knew what it meant to him. I knew what it meant to us

"Born ready," I called back, a grin spreading across my face.

Lizzie and Luke had headed home a week ago, and it felt like everything was finally falling into place. The time apart had been bittersweet. I missed them both, but I was better now. I was stronger. Carson had been my rock, and in the past week, I'd grown more in love with him than ever. I was no longer afraid of the past. I was moving forward.

The game began, and I tried my hardest to keep my eyes on the field, but my gaze kept drifting to Carson. He was focused, intense, with that familiar look of determination on his face. I could see it even from where we were sitting. His energy was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as he sprinted across the field.

Katie nudged me and pointed. "He's looking right at you!"

I hadn't even realized I was staring until I saw him glance up at the stands. And just like that, our eyes met across the sea of people. Just like they had all those months ago. His expression softened for a fraction of a second, and I felt a warmth flood through me. That look was everything.

He had always been there for me, through the darkest times, through my recovery, and every tiny step I'd taken toward healing. Now, I was here, watching him do what he loved, cheering him on just like he'd cheered for me in ways I never thought possible.

The game was tight. Every play, every pass, every touchdown felt like it could tip the scales in their favor or against them. The tension in the stadium was thick, the crowd growing more animated with each minute that passed. I held my breath every time Carson got the ball. He moved like he was born to be on that field.

With every touchdown, the energy in the stadium grew louder, more feverish. But no one was as excited as me. Not even close.

With just minutes left in the game, the score was tied. My palms were sweaty, and I wasn't sure I could take much more of the suspense. Carson's team was running out of time, but there was no doubt in my mind that they could do it. That he could do it.

And then, it happened.

The final whistle blew. The game was over, and Carson's team had won. The crowd exploded into a frenzy, a wave of joy and elation filling the air, and I could barely keep it together. My heart was racing, pumping with a mix of adrenaline and pure pride. He had done it.

I didn't even think. My legs carried me toward the field, the people around me cheering, but I was focused solely on one thing—Carson.

I pushed through the crowd, making my way to the edge of the field. The rain had picked up, but it felt like the world was falling away, leaving just Carson and me. He was on the field, being lifted in the air by his teammates, their cheers ringing out, but the moment he looked up and saw me, everything else disappeared.

His eyes met mine, and for a brief second, it was just the two of us. The world slowed down, the noise from the stadium becoming muffled, and I could see the emotion in his eyes.

I didn't even stop to think about it. I ran toward him, my heart thundering in my chest. The rain was coming down hard now, soaking my clothes, making the ground slippery beneath me. But I didn't care.

When I reached him, I didn't hesitate. Without saying a word, he pulled me into his arms, lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing. The kiss came instantly, a passionate, desperate connection that only made sense in that moment. The rain poured down around us, but it felt like nothing could touch us. Not in this moment. Not when we were finally free to love each other without fear, without hesitation.

I kissed him deeply, feeling his hands in my hair, his body close to mine. The noise of the crowd was distant now, the cheers nothing more than an echo as our lips moved together. It was like we had stepped outside of time, just two people in love, soaking wet but finally able to be ourselves.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, I looked up at him, my heart full to the brim with emotion. His eyes were shining, and I could see the raw happiness in his face.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"I love you too," I replied, my voice cracking slightly. It wasn't just the rain. It was the truth of everything we'd been through together.

Carson smiled, and I swore the entire world could hear it. "We did it, Eve. We made it."

I nodded, my face flushed with joy. "Together."

His arms tightened around me, and I realized something then. We had fought through the darkness. We had come out stronger on the other side. And now, we had the rest of our lives to look forward to. I had no doubt in my heart that whatever came next, we'd face it together.

The crowd continued to cheer, the rain still falling in sheets, but none of it mattered. In that moment, it was just us. No past, no future—only Carson and me.

We stood there, soaked and smiling, in the center of it all.

I pulled back slightly, my hands still on his chest, and I said it again, this time with more certainty, more love than I had ever felt before.

"I love you."

Carson kissed me again, and the crowd cheered even louder, as if they knew exactly what this moment meant to us. The rain poured down, but it didn't matter. It wasn't about the game anymore. It was about us.

And as we stood there in the middle of the field, surrounded by the celebration and the world still spinning around us.

I was not afraid.