Epilogue
A mber
Four months later
“Henderson.” Jeff’s voice caught my attention and I looked up from my nook in the library to find him walking toward me with a huge smile.
It never got old, seeing him look at me that way, or the fact we were together.
Us. A real couple who said I love you’s and held hands. “I brought you something.”
“A cookie?” I asked, trying to see what he held. He smirked and bent down to give me a quick kiss. Each time was a thrill and he sat on the chair next to me, scooting it closer to me so our legs touched. Look at us showing PDA and not caring!
“Not a cookie.” He straightened and a serious look crossed his face. “Just, take a look at this and let me know what you think.” He handed me a brochure and looked more nervous that I had seen him in months.
“What is this, Jeff? Why are you worried?”
He didn’t respond and jutted his chin to the brochure when he reached under the table to put his hand on my knee. I was a little concerned with his silence and opened the brochure. It was for an apartment complex just north of campus, a small one bedroom with a den.
“Are you moving?” My voice dropped a bit because the fact our lease was up on the house at the end of June—only five weeks away—meant making big decisions and I loved living two houses down from him. This would be miles away. “Have you toured it?”
“You’re taking a year off before applying to grad school. I’m taking a year to study for the LSAT and apply next year.” He spoke like he was checking off a list.
“Yes, we’ve talked about this, Jeff.” I gulped and butterflies exploded in my stomach.
My initial thoughts were insecurities about the investigation, or if he was having seconds thoughts…
but that didn’t make sense. Things had been so good between us.
“It’ll be risky for us, but I think getting some part-time jobs and with the explosion of the social channels, I can freelance my writing.
I’m sure we can do it, or at least take out loans. ”
“Have you thought about where you’re living after your lease is up?”
I made a face and shook my head. “I’ve been avoiding it, actually. Laney is moving to Chicago and Marissa is moving back home until she can save some money and, well…” I paused and held his gaze. “Truthfully, I wanted to see what you were going to do first.”
“God, I love you.” He grabbed my face and kissed me hard. “We’re on the same page and now I feel silly for not just asking.”
“Asking what?”
“Amber Henderson, will you move into this apartment with me? I know it’s kinda fast, but at this point, I know what future I want and you’re in it. If you’re game…I say we do it.”
I eyed his hesitant smile and the warmth in his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t realize this was what I had been waiting for when I’d put off making any decisions and I threw my arms around him. Now it made sense. “Let’s do it.”
“So yes?”
“Yes, Jeff.” I laughed against his neck and felt weightless. “We can eat macaroni every day and fight over who uses the blankets more.”
“Can’t fucking wait to celebrate this with you.
” He pulled back and kissed me long and hard, right in the library.
Onlookers watched us, but I didn’t really care.
It was a new normal for me to have people recognize me after the article went out, but my close friend circle had never changed.
Jeff glanced at the binder on the table and tilted his head.
“Shit, sorry. I interrupted whatever it was you were doing.”
“A little late for that, punk.” I leaned into him and closed my notebook. “This is a better distraction that looking for scholarships and part-time jobs. ”
He nodded, because he, too, would be in the same boat, and lowered his voice like he always did before he asked, “Have you heard from your uncle since the trial started?”
“Just one letter.” It sat in my nightstand drawer and would remain there. “Nothing new, but he did have enough information to get a better deal than the others.”
“Will you visit him?” He ran his hand over my collarbone and gave me a little squeeze. It was those little touches that meant so much to me, as though he knew when I needed a little extra strength so he gave me some of his. “I can go with you.”
This is why I love him. “In time, yes. It’s too soon and for the first time, my mom and I are on decent speaking terms. I’ll write to him, but the wound needs to heal.”
“I understand. It’s admirable you’re able to still find a way to have a relationship with him. You impress me.”
“Are you trying to sweet-talk me to do inappropriate things in the conference room, Jeff Maddow?” I teased.
“Is it working?” He grinned his goofiest smile, making his eyes bug out, and I rolled my eyes.
“Nope.”
“Well, when you’re ready to head out, we’re having a get together at the house tonight with all the guys. The draft is next week and I’m not sure where we’re all going to be. It’ll be our final pre-draft party.”
“No regrets?” I asked, like I did every time he brought up the draft. He was playing the best he had all four years, but it didn’t sway him.
“None.” He kissed me again and stood. “I’m excited about the future being unknown to me. For the first time, I want to enjoy the surprises and ups and downs and I want to explore them with you.”
“Don’t get sappy on me,” I replied, feeling more emotional than I expected. “You know, you’ve been really good at this boyfriend thing.”
“I’ll be even better as a roommate.” He winked and gave me an expectant look. “Are you staying for a while or ready to wrap up?”
“I’ll leave with you.” We packed my things in my backpack and set off, but just as we left the library, someone pointed at us and whispered to the person next to them.
“ Hey, that’s that girl who wrote the article I was telling you about!”
“Really? No way!
“Yeah, it made national news. She’s a legend now.”
I smiled so damn big my cheeks hurt. It was me, not Jeff, who they were talking about and I had never felt cooler.
Jeff heard it too and slung his arm around me.
“Guess I’ll have to get used to people knowing you everywhere we go.
Especially the more you write and uncover.
I have no doubt you’re gonna be famous one day. ”
“You think you can handle me getting all that attention, Mr. Hotshot Baseball Boy?”
“Oh yeah. I can see us now. Lawyer and investigative journalist.”
The pure joy and anticipation of the future in his voice eased any self-doubt I had. It would be hard, I knew, but my entire life had led to this point and I was going to enjoy every damn second of it. “We’ll make a good team.”
“Yes, we will, Henderson.”