More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“I’m glad it’s you.” He breathes a small laugh before pressing his smiling lips to mine. “It’s always been you, Hallie.”
“Indy.” I furrow my brows. “Are you crying?” “Of course I am!” She wipes at her face. “I’m always crying, so I don’t know why you’re surprised. But that is the most beautiful story I’ve ever heard, and I just love love, okay?”
“I’m not running away.” “Does she know that?” My attention flicks to Kennedy, Stevie, and Indy to confirm at least one of them is going to cut in and say something to the effect of “of course she knows.” But they’re all looking at me too, silently asking the same question. “Yes,” I finally say. “Of course she knows I’m not. I put the ball in her court weeks ago. I told her that when she was ready to give us another chance, so was I.” “Oh my God.” Kennedy falls back onto the couch. “Have we taught you nothing?” “Rio,” Stevie scolds. “Come on.” Miller is shaking her head. “Ind, do you want to
...more
“Why didn’t you guys tell me?” Kennedy cocks her head. “We just did.” “Fuck me. You would’ve thought I learned something in all the years I’ve been coming to these girls’ nights, but apparently not.” I race around the house, gathering my keys and jacket. “I’ve got to go. I have to tell her.”
“Are you sure that’s not just a first-love thing?” “No, baby. It’s a last-love thing.”
“The other night when I said I hoped that one day you’d let me fall in love with you again, what I meant to say was that I hope to earn the chance to fall in love with you again.
“It’s always been you, Hallie, and I think we both know it.”
“So, yeah…” I stumble. “That’s my big speech.” “Are you done?” “I’m done.” “Then you should probably kiss me now. We already lost six years. I don’t feel like wasting any more time.”
“Rio.” Her eyes bounce between mine. “You should know. It’s always been you too.”
“You’re hard already.” “Mmm,” he moans, fingertips digging into my ass. “That’s a constant when around you, Hal. It’s quite inconvenient.”
“Hallie,” Rio says tentatively. “Say something.” I can’t. I’m speechless. Because how am I supposed to speak when my eyes are glued to what is essentially my last name, tattooed as a heart, inked over his actual heart?
“Even when I thought I didn’t want it to be, I knew it was us. I sat there getting this permanently inked onto my skin, trying to convince myself I was only getting it as a reminder that love existed when the whole fucking time, I knew it only existed with you.”
“But in case it needs to be said out loud… Yes, Hallie Hart, you are my girlfriend. Though, you should know, there’s a good chance I’ll be changing both that title and that last name one day.”
“You like that, don’t you?” I ask through hard-earned breaths. She nods against me. “You like that you’re permanently under my skin.” “I love it. It feels like you’re branded and mine.” “That’s because I am.”
“When I got to training camp in Chicago, they asked me if I wanted to keep eighty-three, but I decided it was time to change it to my actual favorite day.” My birthday. March eighth. Thirty-eight. He’s been wearing my birthdate on his jersey for six years and I had no idea.
“Rio, playing for Boston is your childhood dream.” I shake my head. “You’re my childhood dream.”
watch as each of my friends catch their partner’s attention from across the yard. I’ve witnessed this happening for years. This silent check-in in a crowded room. A soft smile before continuing their conversation. A discreet wink. A little smirk. I’ve constantly felt like the third wheel catching a private moment I wasn’t supposed to be a part of, but at the same time, it was something I longed for in my own life.
I spent years complaining about being the single one of the group, the odd man out. But even though I was the last one, how lucky am I that I got a front-row seat to watch each of my best friends fall in love?
