41. Chapter 41
Saint
I'm steps away from the peak of the world. The highest I've ever been, but not as high as I could be.
I'm on my knees, hugging my sisters. My parents stand near us. Even through the noise, I can hear my mom still sniffling in happiness. Pablo is part of the group as well. As one of my guests, he's right here with my family.
When he hugged me, he grinned big and patted me on the back. He praised me and said he knew I could do it. I couldn't say anything, because all I would have managed was to reveal how I feel about Ames.
I'm in love with your sister. Please be okay with it. Will this make it okay?
My sisters screech into my ear, too joyful to contain the sound. I smile and pull them closer.
My friends with their loved ones remain around us, too. In a sea of celebration, a strange undercurrent pricks at my attention. I open my eyes to see Dom running my way.
People part as my friend approaches. From the corner of my eye I see Logan holding on to Evie, his hands on her butt like there's no one else.
Bear and Pen hug close, forehead to forehead, her hands around his neck in a romantic pose.
He'd call me out for reading into things that way between them, but I can't spare them another thought.
I don't know what unconscious part of my brain is processing this moment. I act on instinct. I don't pay attention to Dom or anyone else— my sight seeks something past them. My eyes know where to go. Somehow, I know what I'm looking for. Who.
I find her in the crowd up on the first level of seats.
I stand.
"Saint?" Aixa says, but I can't respond to it.
I'm locked in on Ames. I start walking without realizing. I forget about Dom, my parents, or Pablo.
I'm trotting now. It turns into a sprint. I'm running to Ames.
I vaguely take note of the way she stands. Hands tight against her chest, tension on her shoulders and arms as she watches me approach. Sparkling eyes locked on mine.
It's not a decision, but an inevitable move to use the benches near the back wall to jump up the ledge. Fans scream as I hold on to the thick metal barriers for leverage. Ames closes the distance, her arms around me as I cross the thick metal rods.
For an instant or an eon, we stand in front of each other. Her hands on my shoulders, mine on her arms. I search her eyes, like I can find an explanation in them, even if I don't need the words.
I put my hands on her face, bringing her closer to me. People around us disappear. The stadium is empty. Gone from my mind, because Ames is here, and she's in my arms.
"Gael…" she manages.
I kiss her.
It's hunger. A craving for her, for this feeling.
For sharing the same space again. Breathing the same air again.
It's more than mouth to mouth and tongue to tongue— my whole body is in it and so is hers.
My hands keep her in place, yet she's the one bringing me closer.
I pour my heart into it, but it might be her bloodstream beating at my fingertips.
I'm a rock and she's water shaping me through millenia, softly yet persistent, all in this instant.
She wouldn't be here if she weren't ready to be with me.
She's holding on to me, kissing me with everything she has, because I'm kissing her like that too.
With the intensity of this moment, we don't need words to promise forever.
But I know this is the start, and it has me flying higher than when I scored the touchdown that won us the game.
The world comes back to existence in stages. It's the screams around us, the applause. The pats on my back. I fight it. I keep on kissing her for a little longer. Even when we stop, I keep my eyes closed, clinging to the feeling, searing it into my memory.
I drop my head to hers, temple to temple.
"You're here," I say.
"I have to go back to LA tonight but—"
"You're here."
"I had to be." She grabs my hand. "I get it. You're with me. I need to be with you, too. We're together. I had to be here."
"You will hold my hand."
"Because you're holding mine right back."
My heart. It's fuller than it's ever been, yet so light I have to wonder if her words have bent the laws of physics. Hope and yearning and trust are one and the same.
I smile. "I'm at the top of the world… because you're here with me."
"I couldn't stay away," she says. "I didn't want to be."
I kiss her again. "Take my hand and come with me, then."