Chapter 58
SADIE
Why does everything move so slowly when you know you have somewhere to be?
Once I finally make it off the plane, my carry-on practically flying behind me, I step out of the sliding glass doors, a November chill zipping up my spine, to catch a ride to the stadium. Joe checked Milo’s schedule, and he should be there for practice. Season is in full swing.
I know I could text him, but honestly, where’s the drama in that?
I realize, of course, that most people use Uber, but I don’t have the app, and it seems like a waste of time to figure it out now.
So instead, I throw my arm up with as much command as I can muster, my gaze intent on the yellow cars, and yell, “Taxi!”
Within seconds, one pulls up next to me and I slide in without any hesitation. “MetLife Stadium,” I demand.
The driver nods and his foot presses hard on the accelerator, slightly tossing me against the back of the seat. I grin.
I tug at my red beret that matches the red on my lips. Then I smooth out my hair with my fingers and tuck it behind my ears. I watch out the window, allowing myself to be in this moment. To breathe. To calm the erratic pace of my pulse. To reflect on the words Milo gave me in his notes.
Milo won’t say no to me, but he’s waiting for my yes.
“How much longer?” I ask the driver.
“Five minutes,” he replies. “Are you late?”
I grin. “No, I’m right on time.”
When the driver pulls over, I hand him cash before sliding out and rolling my suitcase behind me. I head toward the doors I followed Milo through before. It’s funny how timing works for you when you aren’t fighting it—because there’s Caleb, as if he’s waiting for me.
“Sadie?” he asks, his face pure surprise.
“Hi, Caleb,” I say before I drop my suitcase and wrap my arms around him in a big hug just like he did to me.
“What are you doing here?” he asks when I pull away.
“Oh, I heard your quarterback needed to work on his running game, so I thought I’d offer up my coaching services.”
He chuckles. “Milo’s on the field.”
“Perfect,” I say, smiling.
“He’s doing his thing. Is he expecting you?”
“Depends on your definition of expecting.”
“Does he know you’re here?” he clarifies with a grin.
I shake my head. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Well, this’ll cause a stir.” He laughs.
“I’m counting on it.”
“Follow me,” he says as he turns.
We walk in silence for a while, the echo of the vastness of empty space following our footsteps. I can hear the grunts, whistles, and yells before we reach the tunnel. The loud smack of gear slamming up against each other. I hear another whistle, and I wonder if it’s Milo.
Caleb gestures at the tunnel. “I’ll leave you here, Sadie. This seems like something you need to do yourself.”
I nod. “Thanks, Caleb.”
“For the record, I’m real glad Milo’s back and you didn’t bake me cookies.”
I laugh. “I am, too. Although I make a mean chocolate chip. It’s won awards.”
“I believe it. Good luck, although I don’t think you need any.” He winks as he leaves.
I take a deep breath before I walk through the tunnel. Somehow it doesn’t feel too big. It feels as if I belong.
When I emerge, the noises sharpen—vibrant and real, men in uniforms and helmets moving all around me. My eyes search for the smile I know best.
Seconds pass, then minutes, and my presence begins to attract some attention.
I see a familiar face—Emmitt. He throws a football and I follow its trajectory, watching as Milo catches it and whips his head around to glare at Emmitt.
Emmitt laughs and nods his head toward me.
Milo turns around and there it is. That wide, warm grin.
He starts to walk toward me, and I let him close the distance. My heart beats in cadence with his stride, quickening as his steps turn to a jog.
“I got your note,” I say when he reaches me. “Or notes.”
“Oh, you did?” His eyebrows arch up playfully.
“You know it doesn’t cost much to buy a stamp.”
His grin dents further into his cheeks. “Thought if there were enough words you could make yourself a book.”
“I do love my books.”
We stand there, the silence light as we take each other in, savoring the smile in this moment. I put my hand in my pocket, pulling out my own note.
“I wrote you something,” I say, but I don’t hand it over. “I’m going to read it out loud, if you don’t mind. I don’t want these words to be silent.”
He nods, his eyes glistening with knowing. “Okay.”
I notice the noise has dulled. I glance around and find all eyes are on us, but I don’t find myself nervous.
I clear my throat and take a deep breath.
“Hot Shot,” I say, my eyes flicking up to his blue eyes—clear and bright. I smile before I continue.
“I’ve spent most of my life doing the ‘right’ thing—being safe, being who everyone expected me to be. But you’ve always been the place where I felt most like myself. Not because you needed me to be anything different . . . but because you saw me exactly as I am.
“I thought choosing myself meant choosing alone.
“But I think, maybe, choosing myself means choosing what feels like home.
“I don’t have a five-year plan. I don’t even have a job or a house.”
I pause reading, looking back up at him. “I don’t. I quit my job and sold my house.”
“I heard.” He laughs, his eyes pooling with tears.
I look back down at my note, continuing.
“I don’t know what comes next.
“But I do know this—
“I don’t want a life where you’re just a chapter I loved once.
“I want forward. I want the unknown. I want the version of us that chooses each other on purpose with our whole hearts.
“And if you’ll have me—
“I choose you.
“Bookworm.”
I fold the note and look up to see Milo letting his tears pour freely down his face in front of all these very large, very tough-looking football players—and the contrast makes me laugh.
He closes the gap between us, and I reach up to wipe his cheeks with my thumbs. He leans into my soft touch, turning his head to kiss my palm.
“My life is yours, Sadie Summers.” He leans his head down on mine. “It always has been.”
“Always?” I tease, tilting my head up so our foreheads press together.
“You were always the one thing I was sure about when nothing else in my life seemed certain.”
“Milo Carter?” I ask.
“I’m here,” he replies softly.
“Do you want to bet on forever with me?”
He doesn’t answer with words. His lips are on mine, warm and strong, and I know that no matter what else happens in my life, what Milo and I have together is worth the unknown.