Ben’s schedule was way more intense than mine was. I worked the same hours every day. He traveled around the country, having practices both in the mornings and the afternoons, and he never had consistent hours because of the time zone shifts. It was just another excuse. “Let’s just get this over w
ALEXANDERIt had been years since I had the freedom to drive through a small town, cruising down the empty streets with the windows down. The air felt thinner, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the elevation difference between the city and here or if the air was just less polluted. Still, as
BAILEEI hadn’t told them what Caleb wanted me to do, but I did tell them he planned to take the resort from them if I didn’t do what he said. We had been discussing our options for almost two hours, and I was exhausted. Brinley had passed out on the couch about an hour in with my mother’s pho
BAILEE SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS AGO (Seventeen Years Old) A light tapping sound against my window made me pull my pencil from my paper, and a smile spread over my face when I saw Alex standing outside with his hood pulled up over his head. The rain was pouring down, and I jumped from my seat as a
ALEXANDER There were too many memories around me, and by the time I made it to my room, I felt drained. Even so, I couldn’t fall back on my bed and pass out like I wanted to because I hadn’t let go of my phone yet. I couldn't miss it when they would call to tell me that my foster parents were d
BAILEEBrinley was still passed out in my bed when I got out of the shower. With how overstimulating and exciting the day was, I hadn’t expected her to wake up while I was in there, but I still took the quickest shower of my life, terrified she would roll out of bed or wake up and realize she was in
ALEXANDER “So, Andrea was like screaming, trying to get this disgusting squirrel off her head, but she just made it angrier, and it, like, went down the back of her shirt!” “No!” Ben exclaimed, staring at her in disbelief, his sarcasm thick in his voice. I threw my head back, laughing, but I ha
BAILEE I couldn’t look at my parents at breakfast the next day, and I was relieved to find that I could move my flight up. Instead of staying for a few days, Brinley and I could leave that afternoon. Brinley would be cranky with the flight overlapping with her usual naptime, but we would get thro
HAVEN I was so scared that Ben would be angry at me for going behind his back and calling his parents that I hadn’t even told him they were coming. They were staying at a hotel near the stadium and were ecstatic to meet Siri. That was my big regret with this surprise. Ben didn’t get to introduce
BEN “Is Haven bringing Siri tonight?” Jake asked, and I nodded, unable to stop the smile on my face. The first pre-season game was tonight, and I was over the moon to finally have someone to give my tickets to. They weren't front row since the arena saved those for the high-paying fans, but my
HAVEN Ben’s eyes closed as if he were in pain as I leaned forward and flicked his lips with my tongue. I was bold when drunk, but this… this was a new level. I felt invincible with Ben as if I could act on any urge I had, and he couldn’t or wouldn’t judge me for it. He would just… satisfy me. “
HAVEN I loved them. The women were absolutely incredible. All of them, except Nora, but she broke away from the group fairly quickly. It seemed she was a bitch to everyone, and no one really put up with it. They just ignored her when her attitude started up and wouldn’t talk to her again until she
HAVEN Brinley stayed with us for three nights, which was the best distraction I could have asked for. The girls had been so happy to be together that I didn’t have time to dwell on any of the shit that had happened in the past few months. They needed constant engagement and snacks. I secretly had
BEN I watched with a smile as Brinley held her baby brother, Tristan, for the first time. I was excited to meet him, but I also wanted her to do so before me or Siri did. It was vital for them to bond, and with the bright smile on her little face, I knew she would have no problem with that. Brin
HAVEN The girls were bouncing in their car seats as we pulled up to the hospital's main entrance and got out. Ben handed the keys to the valet before helping Brinley out of her seat while I grabbed Siri. They had been talking nonstop about the baby and how excited they were to meet him, but I drea
BEN “Man, I don’t remember Coach being this intense the past few years,” Jake muttered as he pulled off his gear, and I nodded in agreement, doing the same. It had been brutal out there today, but we needed it. The team wasn’t in game shape, myself included, but we were working hard to power thro
HAVEN “You can’t be serious,” I said as I stared at her in horror. Had I brought a child into the world myself? Yes. Do I remember how scary it is? Also Yes. Do I remember what the doctors had done? No. I was busy screaming and pushing as I ripped myself open to bring a life into this world.