Chapter 21
The treehouse seems a lot more cramped now that I’m six foot and two hundred pounds.
The wood structure my father built when I was nine hasn’t changed much in over a decade, and it’s still the one place that brings a sense of calm no matter what is bothering me.
It’s held secrets and seen all of my firsts.
Tonight, it’s about to witness another…assuming she shows up, that is.
This morning, before I left the apartment, I wrote a small note and slipped it under Nik’s door.
It read simply: Go on a treehouse date with me tonight at six o’clock?
With a little checkbox next to Yes and another next to No.
When I got back from practice this afternoon, I found the note on my bedroom floor, just inside the door, with a checkmark next to Yes.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been giddy in my entire life until seeing that box marked.
For days now, I’ve been planning this in my head. Nik is a realist. Sure, there’s a little bit of a dreamer in there too, but she needs something tangible. Something real that she can hold onto and believe in.
I’m hoping that what I’m about to do will give that to her.
It’s early evening, with clouds darkening the sky and a cool breeze fluttering through the windows I opened when I got here.
The place was a little musty from lack of use.
I cleaned up the cobwebs and dust, laid down a new rug, and turned on the twinkle lights strung up around the place.
I also warned my parents that I’d be out here since unwanted visitors would majorly kill the vibe.
A bag containing a bottle of wine and two glasses is waiting on the tiny table tucked into the corner of the space. Of course, there’s the jewelry box burning a hole in my pocket as well. My crazy ideas have served me well thus far, so I’m hoping my luck continues tonight.
The clip-clop of shoes climbing the wooden steps hits my ears, and my stomach pitches. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more nervous in my life.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door squeaks open, revealing Nik’s beautiful face staring back at me.
Her long dark hair falls in loose waves down her chest. She’s wearing her black-framed glasses tonight, and she looks so damn adorable I’m finding it hard not to pull her into my lap and take this night in a whole other direction.
Trying to distract myself, I let my eyes trail over the tiny sliver of belly exposed below the cropped black tank.
Nope, that’s not helping. My eyes continue to lower to the midlength gauzy skirt that shows off a portion of her long, tanned legs when she moves.
I just barely swallow my groan of appreciation as I vividly imagine them wrapped around my waist. She’s in a simple pair of flip flops that show off her hot pink painted toes.
I’m not sure why I find that so sexy, but hell, I really do.
This woman is the whole package, and right now, I need to know that she’s mine more than I need my next breath.
“You just gonna stand there and stare at me all night? Cuz if so, I’ll admit to being a little let down after that adorable invitation.”
Shaking my head, I tell myself to get it together.
This is your fucking chance, Owen Maddox. Don’t fuck it up.
“Sorry, it’s just…” Honesty is always the best policy. Isn’t that what they say? “You look fucking stunning, and I’m finding it a little hard to concentrate.”
Her smile makes my chest feel tight because… Good god, this woman gets more gorgeous by the minute.
“Looking pretty fine yourself, there, Ox.”
I glance down at my loose button down and khaki shorts. I figured a romantic gesture required more than athletic attire. Apparently, I made the right call.
“Thanks. Now, come on in. I’ve got some wine for us.” I pour out two glasses and hold one out for her.
She steps inside, and suddenly the entire space feels entirely too small. Mostly because my need for this woman reduces the world around us to background noise until she’s the only thing in focus. There’s a light fruity scent on the breeze, mixed with a hint of vanilla that makes my mouth water.
How the hell am I going to keep my shit together when she’s this close?
“You know, this is a lot different than another night I remember.” She slips off her flip flops and walks over to sit in front of me on the rug with her legs out in front of her, then reaches for the glass.
Our bodies take up thea bulk of the floor, and I start to second guess my choice of locations.
“That time we could only get our hand on a couple of Zimas I stole from Nan’s garage fridge and some Chex Mix. ”
The memory of that night has lived rent free in my head for years. Both because I knew I loved her and the sincere remorse that followed.
“You barely got half of yours down and were already a little tipsy. Pretty sure you made the first move, straddling me right here on this floor. Maybe your plan was to take my innocence that night all along.”
She’s mid-sip when her wide blue eyes fly up to mine, and she barely manages to stop coughing long enough to rasp, “Wait. You were a virgin too?”
“You sound so surprised.”
“I had no idea. I just assumed…”
A pretty pink blush floods her cheeks, and I can’t keep my hands off her a second longer.
Leaning forward, I balance myself on one hand while I brush my fingers along her jaw with the other, feeling pleased when she shivers.
Her hair feels like silk, and another flashback hits me as I comb through the long strands much like I did that night all those years ago.
“I let you believe that so you wouldn’t think I was some inexperienced, bumbling jackass.”
Her eyes dart between mine as she sets her glass down on the floor. “God. I’m realizing just how much I really got wrong back then. I’m so sorry.”
“Shhh.” My fingers trail along the exposed skin of her shoulder. “No more apologizing. We’re past that.”
“Are we though?” she asks softly. “I’m still not sure I fully believe you all can forgive everything I said and did so easily.”
My eyes meet hers. She needs to hear my truth—the one she never got to hear then—in order to come to terms with my feelings now.
“That night was one of the best nights of my life. I had all of these big emotions scrambling for a way out, but I couldn’t say them because every dude knows you don’t spill that kind of raw admission during or after sex.
It cheapens it. Plus, I’d literally just lost my virginity and was on cloud nine.
So I rolled the words round and round in my head, trying to figure out just the right time and place to give them to you.
Because even after hours had passed and the pleasure had receded, I was still so fucking gone for you I could barely think straight. ”
“Owen—”
I shake my head, cataloguing every feature of her face like it’s the first time I’m seeing her.
“Let me get this all out there first, okay? It’s been bottled up inside for six years, and I just want the opportunity to tell you now what I should have then.
” I take a deep breath and exhale, letting my fingers trail down her arm and tangle with hers.
Right now, I need the connection. Need confirmation that she’s here and she’s real.
“Just before Dre busted in, I had confessed everything to Carson and Roscoe, expecting to catch hell for being a pussy. We were barely fifteen after all, so our conversations were usually limited to sports trivia, girls, and which cars could go from zero to one hundred the fastest. What the hell did we know about deep emotions?”
Her hand squeezes mine, and it helps me find the strength to spill what only two other people have ever heard me say.
“I knew I loved you that night. There was zero doubt in my mind that you were always meant to be ours.”
A single tear falls down her cheek. “But…”
Closing my eyes, I exhale sharply. “But Dre came in, guns blazing, and my ego, my pride, and, dammit, my heart shattered. I knew you wouldn’t believe me no matter what I said or did.
He’s your twin, for Christ’s sake. The only person in your life that you trust without question.
I let you hate me, so you didn’t hate him.
I watched the girl I love despise me, and I used that hatred to build a wall back up around my heart because if I couldn’t give it to you, I refused to give it to anyone else. ”
“Oh, Owen…” She scoots over, climbing into my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck.
I cling to her like she’s my lifeline, the only thing keeping me from floating away for good.
“I loved you, Nik. With all my heart. And it wasn’t until you came bursting back into our lives that I realized the feeling never became past tense.”
She inhales sharply, another tear falling.
“I love you, Annika Reed. And one day, I’m hoping I can prove to you I’m worthy of your love in return.”
We’re so wrapped up in each other, I miss the first drops of rain falling against the wooden ceiling.
“There’s nothing to prove because my heart is already yours.”
Her whispered words light a fire in my soul, vanquishing the darkness and lighting me up from the inside out.
Pulling back, I hold her like she’s the most precious thing I’ve ever had. Mostly because it’s true.
“You mean it?”
One brow quirks up saucily. “I don't say things I don’t mean.”
For the first time in hours, I feel like I can breathe again. Slipping one hand from her hip, I reach for the little velvet box in my pocket. I’m pretty sure she’s going to see that I’m shaking like a leaf, but I don’t care.
“Then I feel it’s time I give you this.” Her eyes zero in on the box in my hand. “I should preface this with the fact that although it’s not an engagement ring, this proves our relationship is more real to us than anything has ever been.”
With both arms wrapped around her, it’s a little awkward to pop the lid open, but I manage. Inside is a white-gold ring with a simple, thin band adorned by a small garnet heart surrounded by mini diamonds.