The Boyfriend Deal (10 page)

Epilogue

Hadley

Tyler had accepted the scholarship to Florida State University, and we’d been living in a small apartment in Jacksonville for the past year. I’d found things to fill my days and had even discovered a way to continue playing my flute. Tyler had bought me a ton of flute audio files and all I had to do was listen to one in order to play the piece of music. Since music was a balm to my soul, I really loved him for it. There were a million reasons to love Tyler, and I discovered more every day.

We’d decided we liked Jacksonville well enough to stay after graduation, even though that was still a few years off. Tyler was studying Fire Science and still planned to become a fireman. He’d even volunteered at the local station and was getting hands on knowledge along the way. As for me, I was studying Psychology at the college in hopes of being a school counselor one day. I had only signed up for two classes the first semester to make sure I could handle the work. I hadn’t wanted to get overwhelmed, but my parents had already offered to hire tutors if I needed them. Turned out I was pretty good at keeping up with my classwork and the following semester I’d taken a full load.

My parents had recently sold our home in Tennessee and moved nearby. Dad had gotten a job with the Jacksonville police department and seemed to love it. Tyler’s parents had talked of moving, but hadn’t done it yet. I wasn’t sure if they were waiting to make sure we stayed here, or if Tyler’s mom was just trying to give him some space.

The large digital display on the living room clock told me Tyler would be home any minute. I’d made his favorite—homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and some yummy rolls my mother had taught me to make. The apartment smelled delicious.

I heard the key in the lock and I rushed to the front door to greet him. When he saw me, a big smile wreathed his face.

“Miss me?” he asked.

“Always.”

After a kiss that still had the power to melt my bones, he put his stuff aside and followed me into the kitchen. I’d already set the table, and he claimed his seat.

“This looks great, Hadley. I didn’t realize how damn hungry I was until just now. I got busy with a study session at lunch and completely forgot to eat.”

“Have as much as you want. There’s still some left over if you want seconds, or even thirds.”

“Thirds?” He smiled. “Just how many people did you think you were feeding?”

I felt my cheeks warm. “I had a little trouble reading Mom’s recipe and she didn’t answer, so … I made a little more than I intended.”

“It looks great, Red,” he said softly. “I know you didn’t have class today, but I’m sure you still had work to do. You didn’t have to prepare a big meal. We could have ordered pizza or something.”

“I like taking care of you. It’s not like you don’t take care of me every day. This is my way of giving back to you. The least I can do is cook.”

“I just don’t want you to feel like you have to, but it’s definitely appreciated. You know I love your cooking. If I don’t watch it, you’ll pack the pounds on me and coach will have me running extra laps.”

“Ready for the big game?” I asked.

“Yeah. Nervous though.”

“I’ll be in the stands cheering you on.” I smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Your parents going too?”

“Dad has to work, but Mom said she’d take me. She knew you wouldn’t be able to focus on the game if you were worried about me, so she’s babysitting.”

“Red, no one needs to babysit you.”

“I know.” I sighed. “She wants to see you play as much as I do. I’m just sorry your parents won’t be here.”

“I talked to Dad this morning on my way to class. He said he might start looking for a job around this area. He didn’t make any promises, but at least he’s willing to look. And, if they decide to stay in Tennessee, we’ll just have to go visit. Or invite them here for the holidays. I don’t know, we’ll figure it out when the time comes.”

“Did I ever tell you thank you?” I asked.

“For what?”

“That night in my kitchen, when I was falling apart and feeling sorry for myself. What you said really got to me, and it’s because of you that I’m here and taking classes. I was ready to give up and throw in the towel, but then I realized, if you weren’t giving up on me then maybe I shouldn’t either.”

“Red, I…”

“No, let me finish. I had thought you were a crutch and that I was depending on you too much. I couldn’t see you for the blessing you were. It never occurred to me that you were cheering me on, just like I do at your games. When we made that stupid boyfriend deal, I never realized what I would get from it. You’re my best friend, Tyler, and the man I love. You gave me all of yourself, completely and without reservation, and I can never thank you enough for that.”

“Red, I’m the one who came out a winner. I only came up with that deal so you’d go out with me. You were everything I’d never thought to reach for, the unattainable good girl. I’m the one who’s thankful. You took a chance on me, the bad boy, the player, and you gave me the opportunity to show you that I could be more.”

“I love you,” I said softly.

Tyler rose from his chair and knelt beside me, wrapping a hand around the back of my neck.

“Love you more.”

I smiled as he kissed me silly. I’d never been more grateful to that ridiculous boyfriend deal. What I had once thought would be the worst mistake of my life had turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

The End

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