Chapter Twenty-Seven Cash #2
“This wasn’t supposed to happen, Pipes,” I whispered.
“It was supposed to be a fun distraction. That was it.” I shot her a baleful stare.
“The pro scouts coming to the game tomorrow aren’t just looking at Bax and Callahan and Finn.
They’re interested in Cash too. I don’t want to lose myself and my dreams to him and his.
I’ve never wanted to lose them to anyone. ”
“Who says you will? Your parents didn’t lose their dreams when they fell in love.”
“They shared the same dreams. They have the same career working for the same firm. Honestly, I don’t know how they’re not sick of each other by the end of the day.”
Piper’s gentle laugh hauled me up short.
“What?”
“Do you hear yourself? You don’t want the same life your parents have, yet you’re afraid to go after the one you do want.
” She laughed again. “Saylor, sweetheart, you want adventure and excitement. You can have that in your career—and in your relationship.” She sat forward on the cushion.
“Do you truly believe I’m not going to pursue my career because Wyatt is playing football in the NFL?
I need to hone my business skills before I open a gallery dedicated to his work, and following him to whichever city he plays in will give me that opportunity. ”
“Uh-huh. But I want to be wherever the band I’m working for is playing, which could be on the other side of the world from the city where Cash is playing.”
“So you text, DM, FaceTime when you can. Then when you’re together in the same place, you make it count.”
My friend made it sound so easy, except I knew it would be anything but. “What happens when he gets tired of waiting for me to come home? When I’m on the road for three or four months at a stretch, maybe out of the country for half his season?”
“God knows I’m no expert, Saylor, but when the right one comes along, you’ve just gotta love him like there’s no such thing as a broken heart.”
Setting my drink on the coffee table, I sat back, leaned my head against the top of the cushion, and willed the tears not to fall.
Piper patted my hand before wrapping hers around it and giving it a loving squeeze.
“You’re all-in with him whether or not you’re ready to admit it.
Now you need to give him a chance. Work together to find a way forward.
From the half of the conversation I heard, he’s trying. You need to meet him halfway.”
Pulling my lips between my teeth, I squished my eyes tight, and sucked in a long breath through my nose. When I let go, I grabbed my phone and shot off a text before I lost my nerve.
“Thatta girl, Saylor.” Piper grinned. “And perfectly timed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Wyatt finished up his last project a little while ago. He’s been waiting for the green light to come over so I can help him with his pregame relaxation techniques.” Her smirk turned positively wicked.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “You could have said something. Far be it from me to cockblock the two of you.”
“Nope. You needed a sounding board to work out your feelings because you’ve been fighting them so hard for so long.” She stood and walked our glasses over to the counter. “Friends are there for each other. You were there when I was trying find my way with Wyatt. It’s only fair I return the favor.”
Though logic said otherwise, it seemed someone was knocking at Piper’s door only a minute or two after I sent my text. When she opened it, there stood Cash looking equal parts worried and relieved. His eyes found mine. “Hey, babe.”
That was all I needed. He closed the door behind him, and I was in his arms, my face buried in his chest, breathing in that lovely scent of cold air on him. For a long minute, we stood on the threshold of Piper’s apartment. Then I pulled away to grab my jacket and slide into my boots.
Right as I zipped up my boot, another knock sounded at the door, and a dreamy expression crossed my friend’s features as she said, “Excuse me.”
We stepped aside to let Bax in.
Clearing his throat, he said, “Uh, did I miss the party?”
Going up on her toes to brush a kiss across his lips, Piper said, “Nope. The good times are about to begin.” Taking my hand one more time, she said, “It’s all going to work out the way it’s supposed to. You’ll see.”
Wordlessly, I followed Cash out to his Jeep. Once we were buckled in, I turned to him. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for, babe.” The slow, lazy smile he laid on me curled my toes. “No matter how long it took, I always knew we were going to get here.”
“All the talk of pro scouts and dinner with your parents, and all I could see was me giving up my dreams to follow you as you chased yours.”
He reached across the console and twined his fingers with mine. “I can’t wait to see your senior project. Bet it’s as kick-ass as you are, Saylor.” He tightened his hand around mine. “No way am I standing in the way of you realizing your dreams. It’s going to work for us—you’ll see.”
I stared down at our joined hands. “How can you be so sure? I’m not clueless. Playing professional sports requires commitment from the athlete’s family too.”
A chuckle rumbled from his chest. “I like that you’re talking family.”
“Cash.” He couldn’t miss the “Cash, be serious” of that one syllable.
“We haven’t said everything we need to say to each other—yet.” For a second, his eyes found mine. “Plus, we’re looking at six months of unknowns. You reached out and trusted me.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand. “And I trust you. That’s enough for now.”