Touchdown

Chapter 18

Put It Together

Zahirah

Four and a half months later …

“What?” I mumble into my pillow, confused and sleepy.

This week has been killer. I had two twenty-page papers due and mandatory evening lectures. It’s only the beginning of the semester and I feel like I’ve been through finals week. I can barely lift my eyelids as it is.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Bentley croons into my ear as he drops kisses on the side of my face.

“Why? I thought we agreed to sleep in today. Why are you here? How did you get in?”

He chuckles as he nuzzles my neck and breathes me in. I sigh and sink into my bed as he rubs my back. If he wants me to wake up, he needs to stop that.

“Your roommate let me in.”

“Ugh, I miss Arlene. Why’d they split us up? I hate it already.”

“She’s not so bad. You’re just being grumpy. I’m here because it’s your birthday and our one-year anniversary. I told you to sleep in because I have a surprise planned for you,” he breathes into my ear.

“No, not today. Go away. Surprise me tomorrow.

“If you want to give me something for my birthday, let me sleep. Please. I’m going back to sleep,” I grumble and use all the energy I can muster to turn onto my side with my back to him.

“Fine, we can sleep in a little longer,” he says with a smile in his voice.

The sound of his shoes thudding to the floor greets my ears before the bed dips under his weight. His heat warms my back, and his strong arm wraps around me.

“Happy birthday slash anniversary, baby. I love you,” he croons into my ear.

I love you too. I think the words, not sure if my lips actually move to say them. I drift off to sleep as he cocoons me in his warmth.

***

I wake feeling like I’m in a sauna and wiggle around until I flip onto my other side. A smile comes to my lips as I find Bentley fast asleep behind me. I bounce my gaze across his face.

He’s such a handsome man. I say man because the boy I used to stare at has vanished. The stubble on his chin says it all.

His lashes are so long and full as they rest against his cheeks. His thick hair falls onto his forehead as his natural curl fights against the style he forces it into each day.

I drop my gaze to his lips. His lips are so sensual looking under his straight nose. I can’t help myself. I reach to brush my thumb across his brows.

“I can feel you staring at me,” he murmurs.

“Is that a problem?”

He opens his eyes, and they sparkle back at me. He tightens his arm around me and tugs me into his chest. I bury my face into his chest as he kisses the top of my head.

“No problem at all. Have you rested enough? Can we get ready to leave?”

“What time is it?”

He reaches into his sweats for his phone. “Almost noon.”

“Okay, okay, I’m up. Let me get up to shower,” I yawn.

“You should pack an overnight bag.”

I look at him through my lashes. “Oh really? What are you up to, Mr. Coswell? Where are you taking me?”

He turns onto his back and places his hands behind his head, showing off his muscled arms. I bite my lip as I look him over. Damn, this has been my boyfriend for a whole year.

“You’ll just have to hurry up and find out.”

“Ugh, give me about a half hour.”

I rush to grab my things and head to the shower. Bentley remains in my bed like he owns the place. I’m grateful when there isn’t a fight to get in a shower and get dressed.

My sophomore year has started off with way more challenges. I hate living in the dorms this year. Not only do I have a new roommate. I’m in a new dorm house. This one sucks.

Erica has mentioned getting our dads to get us a place off campus. She hates her dorm too. However, she’s happy to be here with me and Bent so she’s sucking it up for now.

Once I’ve showered, I head back to my room to get dressed. I find Bentley sitting on my bed with a frown on his face. My roommate is back and she’s sitting on her bed staring at Bentley with stars in her eyes.

“I’m going to be in the car,” Bentley says, standing.

He walks by me and presses a kiss to my forehead. I look up at him questioningly. He shakes his head and leaves without a word.

“Oh my God, I didn’t realize who he was the first time we met. You’re so lucky,” Robin gushes once Bentley is gone.

“I’ve known him all my life. I don’t see him the way everyone else does. He’s just Bent to me.” I shrug.

“Well, he totally made me nervous.”

My mouth drops open, and I understand the look on Bentley’s face. One of the first things Robin told me about herself is that she passes gas when she’s nervous. In fact, within the first two minutes of meeting, she ripped a big one.

It was so loud there was no way we could ignore it like it didn’t happen. Although I was going to try before she addressed it. I feel bad for her.

“Oh, you’re going somewhere?” she asks as I begin to pack a bag after I’ve thrown on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

“Yeah, it’s my birthday and our one-year anniversary. Bent is taking me somewhere. Not sure where yet.”

“Oh, you’re always really busy. I thought I’d get a roommate with more time for me this year.”

“My schedule is always crazy with track and classes. My best friend is here now, and I have a boyfriend. I’m sorry.

“Maybe you can hang out with us sometime. I will warn you, we’ve all grown up together and have our own vibe,” I say.

“It’s fine. I’ll be okay.”

I sort of feel bad. I made friends pretty fast, and I had Bentley my first year. Track went a long way to give me a friend group. I can’t imagine how hard this would have been if I didn’t have all of that working in my favor.

“I’ll see you later, Robin. Coffee on me later this week?”

“Oh, okay. Yes, I’ll be there.”

I smile and wave. She’s not so bad. I’m going to stop being so hung up on not rooming with Arlene this year.

Bentley

“This is so much fun,” Zah squeals into the mic in our helmets.

She has her arms wrapped tightly around me as we ride on a snowmobile. It’s the perfect day for this. We didn’t get moving as early as I wanted to, but we arrived in time to still enjoy the day I had planned.

“Want to go around the mountain again?” I reply.

“Please,” she drags out, sounding so adorable.

“Anything for my baby.”

She squeezes her arms around me. I can feel her joy without having to see her face. I’m glad I went with this as our date.

I wanted to do something romantic but fun for our anniversary. I brought her here to the ski resort, knowing we could have the best of both worlds. In the last year, Zah and I have gotten so much closer.

I didn’t enter the draft, as my coach convinced me to put in one more year. Zah had been all for me doing what I felt was right for me. In the end, I decided to stay because I know we have a shot at the championship this year and I have the potential to increase my draft stock.

The QB competition would have been stiff if I left my junior year. I have a better shot at the first round after this season as long as I remain healthy. My life feels like it’s right on track right now.

I have a huge smile on my face as the sun beams down on us. Erica plans to come up tomorrow. When I told her my plan, she totally wanted to tag along. However, she does understand that this is a romantic occasion for us.

I caved and told her to give me this day and night before she joins us. We’re all still getting used to this new dynamic now that Erica is a student here. It feels good to have them here with me.

“I don’t want this to end, but I’m getting hungry,” I say as we’re halfway through another pass.

“You don’t have to say that twice. I’m hungry and I have to go to the bathroom. Maybe we can come back out after,” Zah replies.

“Yeah, that would be cool. It’s sick out here at night with the lights and everything. Although you might change your mind once you see everything else I have planned.”

“Oh, hurry. I know this is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to see how you top last year.”

“Nothing will ever top our first time, but I did my best.”

“Fair point, but I’m looking forward to reminiscing on that night.”

“You and me, baby,” I croon and speed up to get to the rest of our date.

***

“That was delicious. A professional chef, I’m impressed, Bentley,” Zah says with a smile on her pretty face.

We’ve been having such a good time. Snowboarding for a bit, riding the snowmobile, and now a candlelit dinner. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

The chef I’ve hired comes over with the strawberry shortcake I had him make for Zah. It’s her favorite. I watch as her eyes light up.

“Go on, make a wish and blow out the candles,” I say.

She looks up as if trying to think of a wish. I chuckle and reach into my pocket for the gift box inside. I wanted to give her something special.

“Oh,” she gasps and then blows out the candles.

I place the box on the table, and her eyes go wide. I realize what this might look like and want to kick myself. Our fathers asked me not to propose just yet.

I agreed because Zah is only turning nineteen. I’ll be twenty-one and I feel like that might be too soon. Although I know I will someday.

“It’s not that. Not yet,” I murmur.

“Oh, okay,” she says and reaches for the box to open it.

Her face lights up all over again as she looks at the two-carat diamond earrings in the box. From the moment I saw them, I knew they should be hers. They’re perfect for her ears.

“Bentley, I love them. Thank you so much,” she sings.

“Happy birthday, baby.”

“You say that like you got me something different for our anniversary,” she says and looks across the table at me warily.

I shrug. “I couldn’t do my girl like that. I do have something else for you.”

“You really didn’t have to. One gift would have been fine. I’m not expecting you to get me something for my birthday and anniversary every year.”

“But you should, and I will. Let’s eat your cake.”

She shakes her head at me then cuts into the cake and slides a slice to me on one of the plates the chef brought over. He’s cleaning up to leave.

Soon I’ll have my girl all to myself. I spear my fork into the moist-looking slice of cake in front of me and lift it to her lips instead of taking the bite. Zah opens her mouth and takes the cake. I can’t help smiling as she smiles back at me while chewing.

“Mm, wow, that’s so delicious. It’s so moist,” she moans.

I can’t take my eyes off her mouth. She’s so adorable as she chews. I fork another bite and lift it to her lips once again, this time making sure to get more cream on the fork.

Zah’s eyes sparkle as I place the fork before her mouth once again.

She takes the sweet treat between her lips with a moan.

Some of the whipped cream is resting on her lips, enticing me to stand from my seat and lean across the table.

I capture her mouth in a passionate kiss as I suck, lick, and kiss the cream off.

“Mm, you’re right, it is delicious,” I say as I pull away.

“Are you talking about me or the cake?”

“Both. Are you up for a session in the hot tub?”

She tilts her head to the side and looks me over. I stare back at her with a smile on my lips. I know just how I want to end the night.

“Sure, why not?”

“Great. I did pack a swimsuit for you. Courtesy of Erica.”

She rolls her eyes. “I should have known.”