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Drew goes down on his knees, his chest brushing againstmy vision until all I can see and hear and ss to him, as well as the familiar scent of his soap and sweat His nose looks sunburned There are new lines around his eyes froainst the sun and at this very moment, I find him so unbearably handsome, even with blood at the corner of his ree to whatever he’s trying to convince me to do It’s just that easy

And I’m just that simple

“Training’s al to start soon After that, the regular season kicks off and I’ll be busy Beyond busy Practice, ho out of town, all that bullshit forback at ho to school, you know? And I’reed to the plan” He pauses, hisin a hard, firm line for a brief etting married between all that?”

I part my lips, ready to come up with an answer, but … I don’t have one I don’t knohere we could fit in our wedding ith his crazy schedule Me, I’oes

Well That’s not quite true As Drew just h school and I need to stay home with hi professional football for the 49ers

Yes My boyfriend—whoops, sorry, fiancé—is a professional football player I can still hardly wrap my brain around it

I’ camp He was a first draft pick and the Niners snapped him up, just like that Lots of media attention has already been put on him He tries his best to avoid it all, but it’s hard He’s always been such a private person and I know he’s overwhelmed He talks to me about it a lot and I’ve spent a lot of tiht

I believe that I believe in us, and we’re both beyond ready to getIf the reporters are eager to talk to hi in front of a crowd Whether he does well or not, the speculation will be there, focused solely on hiht

There’s no chance that’s happening, though He’s already in it We both are

“I don’t knoe can get married,” I finally answer, my voice small “It sounds like you really don’t have the time”

He reaches out and settles those big, warives theotta make it quick So … how about now?”

I aze, see all the love and worry and anxiousness swirling within the blue depths of his eyes God, I love hi hih

“Now?” I whisper,our future right now This is a et

He nods, his thules scatter all over h htest smile curves his lips, the intimate one that’s just for me, that no one else ever sees

I love that s that e share isn’t for anyone else But lately in Dreorld I’ve been feeling … less than It’s a feeling I used to struggle with constantly, especially ere first together His life overwhelht’ve called me trash Okay, fine—lots of people called me trash Just like Mom Worthless Whore I’d heard those words soto me