Epilogue
“Igot it,” I told Faith as she hurried around her car from the driver’s side to the passenger door. “I can do this.”
Wedging my crutches through the opening, I planted them on the curb to brace myself, then hooked the pads under my armpits, clutched the grips, and hauled myself upright from my seat.
All the while, Faith called, “Wait! I just want to be there in case you need—” Slowing to a stop when she reached my side and found me already upright, she sighed helplessly—“me.”
I grinned engagingly at her, glad I was finally out of the hospital and able to do my own thing again.
“Did it,” I announced, only to give my girl a wink. “But I always need you, darlin’. Don’t worry about that.”
Her shoulders slumped, but she couldn’t seem to stay mad. Reaching out, she brushed the tips of her fingers along my jaw and smiled back softly. “You did good,” she congratulated.
Relieved that I was finally able to have physical contact with her again, I closed my eyes and shifted my face toward her touch, demanding more.
“Thank you,” I murmured, loving her hands on me. Reopening my lashes, I gazed at her gratefully and added, “If you want, you can grab my bag and maybe open the front door for me, though.”
“On it,” she answered, hopping into action and eager to help in any way.
While she pulled my overnight bag from the backseat, I waited at the curb for her and grinned in refreshment as I glanced up at my home. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to get to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
I’d get to feel my sheets and pillows and mattress again and snuggle with Faith, which—let’s be honest—was what I was looking forward to the most.
“And I get to see Foster’s playoff game,” I gushed, starting after her when she shut all the doors to her car and started up the front walk.
She glanced over her shoulder to give me a funny look. “But you saw him play last week. Don’t you remember?” she asked as if worried I was losing my memories.
I only shook my head. “Doesn’t count. That was at the hospital with all the nurses coming in and out every few minutes, interrupting my concentration.” Not to mention that I’d been in considerable pain, being that, at the time, it had only been twenty-four hours post-accident.
Today, I was lucid enough to be cognizant of what was happening in the game. I could sit in my own living room with my best friends and drink a beer while enjoying everything on a big screen…as God intended football to be watched.
“If you say so,” Faith murmured compliantly with an amused shake of her head just as the front door opened, and Keene streaked outside.
“Holy shit!” He opened his arms wide and smiled big in greeting. “What the hell are you doing here? We didn’t know you were being released today?”
“Surprise,” I called. “The doctor just signed my papers, clearing me, an hour ago. Please tell me we didn’t miss kickoff.”
He shook his head. “Naw, man. You’re just in time. We’ve got about five more minutes to go.” Ducking his head back into the house, he yelled, “Hey, y’all. Ivey’s home.” Then he came back around to roll his eyes at me as Faith paused to help me up the front steps. “They’ve been praising Union all over the damn pregame show, showing clip after clip of him giving you CPR.” With a disgusted shake of the head, he muttered, “I swear, that son of a bitch could fart during an interview, and they’d hail him a hero for being the ideal example of how to keep a healthy colon.” Jamming a finger into his own chest, he exclaimed, “I offered to take over the chest compressions, you know. But did anyone even think to mention me? No!”
“Oh my God, are you still complaining about that?” Parker demanded, appearing in the doorway and nudging Keene aside so Faith could help me over the threshold. “Let it go, man. Foster’s the star. You are not.”
“Hey, how do you think I feel?” I commiserated with Keene as I passed by. “I’m the one who fucking died, but to the media, I’m just that unnamed student who star athlete, Foster Union, came across in the university parking lot and saved.” Glancing at Faith, I added, “Please don’t put that on my headstone.”
Sending me a teasing snort, she countered, “Oh, that’s exactly what’s going on there.”
I nudged her with my elbow, delighted by her evil charm, and then I glanced around the front room as everyone closed in to greet me. Thane, Damien, and Oaklynn took turns hugging me, while Alec stood nearby, slowly rocking a black cat that was curled up and napping in his arms as if it were a baby.
Squinting, I tilted my head and said, “Is that Salem?”
When I glanced questioningly at Faith, she shrugged. “I’d been spending so much time at the hospital that Oaklynn offered to keep her here for a while until everything calmed down.”
“And I think she wants to stay…forever,” Alec announced, dipping his face close to the cat’s. In return, Salem lifted her nose and snuggled back with him.
“I cannot wait for that furball to leave,” Keene countered. “She knocked my favorite cologne off my dresser, and it shattered all over the floor.”
“Thank God,” Oaklynn said, waving a hand in front of her face. “You wear too much of that shit anyway.”
As he spun toward her indignantly, shrieking, “What?” I glanced at Faith and smiled.
“God, it feels good to be home.”
She wrapped her arms around mine and gripped my bicep in support, as Thane patted my other shoulder in greeting and told everyone, “Hey, let’s help Hud reach a seat already. I’m sure walking’s still a strain for him.”
It was, but I wouldn’t have said anything.
Thane’s suggestion worked, though. Everyone suddenly rushed around to accommodate me. Damien threw pillows off the seat of honor to clear a spot, Keene pulled up an ottoman to rest my leg on, and Parker handed me a beer as soon as I was settled down.
“Hey, should he be drinking yet?” Thane lifted his hands in concern.
“Yes,” I said and took a quick sip before someone could even think about taking my can away.
Oaklynn appeared with a blanket to spread over my lap, only to catch sight of my full leg cast and cluck her tongue. “Ooh, I still haven’t gotten around to signing your cast yet. I’m going to go find a marker.”
As she took off, and Faith went to my room to drop off my bag of personal effects, the guys gathered around curiously.
“So how’re you really feeling?” Thane demanded.
It’d been eight days since Genesis had run into me with her car. I had a shattered femur and a handful of cracked ribs, plus my spleen had been removed, and my concussion from the head trauma was just now dissipating.
But damn. There was no more Brett inside me. I was no longer dangerous to Faith or Oaklynn. I could sleep in my own bed again. And my friends were safe and okay, while Foster had become a hero instead of thinking he was a failure who hadn’t been able to save me. I’d say it was a damn fine day.
“Feeling good,” I said with an affirming nod. “The painkillers are strong. The woman dedicated to nursing me back to health is hot as hell.” I waggled my eyebrows at Faith as she reentered the living room. “And our best friend’s about to kick ass on the football field. What more could a guy ask for?”
As everyone cheered and lifted their own drinks in celebration, Faith settled down beside me, and Salem immediately scurried from Alec’s arms to curl up on her lap.
Smart cat.
On the television, they showed Foster and two more of Haverick’s field captains joining the other team at midfield to begin the coin toss.
“Found one!” Oaklynn announced, streaking into the room as she triumphantly held up a magenta Sharpie. “Alright. Where’s the best place to sign?” she asked as she knelt before me.
“Anywhere you want, darlin’,” I told her as I whipped the blanket aside to display my cast fully.
“Sweet,” she sang happily, bouncing on her knees as she started to study my cast for the best spot, only to scowl at the huge phone number plastered along my thigh and running most of the way down my leg. “Oh my God, Keene!” she scolded, sliding a dismayed glance his way.
“What?” he asked, casually popping a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
Oaklynn lifted her eyebrows at him in reprimand before turning back to read the words aloud that he’d written above his phone number. “For all the single ladies who need some loving now that Ivey’s out of commission, call me. K. Dugger.”
“Hey, that’s just good advertisement,” he claimed.
“Good Lord,” she murmured with a sad shake of the head as she turned back to write her own name.
Once she finished and sat back with a satisfied nod, Faith leaned over to see what she’d drawn. “Aww, I love the ghost.”
“Thanks. I think I’m going to start embracing my paranormal side more. Especially now that you’re around, going through it with me.”
When she smiled at Faith, flashing a deep dimple, Faith held up a fist for her to bump, cheering, “Right on. Ghost sisters.”
A familiarity had grown between them since I’d been in the hospital. I think seeing the ghost-me together had bonded them in a way that was similar to what I had with the guys.
I still remembered nothing from my dead era. But both Faith and Oaklynn had filled me in on everything I’d said and done during those few minutes, and I had to say, I probably would’ve made an awesome ghost.
But alas, I’d come back, and I was grateful I had. There was a whole lot of living I still had left to do.
Glancing over at my lady beside me, I set a hand on her thigh and squeezed warmly, so very glad that I was able to touch her again.
She covered my fingers with hers and squeezed back, letting me know she got it, while Oaklynn lamented, “Now I just need to learn how to figure out who’s a ghost and who’s not at first sight.”
“I can’t believe you can’t tell immediately,” Faith said, tipping her head in confusion. “I mean, don’t you feel that charge whenever you’re around one?” She curled her hands as if cradling a ball of pure energy in her palms. “Like the room’s suddenly full of static electricity and the hairs on the back of your neck just…stand on end?”
Oaklynn blinked at her once before saying, “No,” in worry as if she thought something must now be wrong with her.
“Oh.” Faith shrugged, signifying that it didn’t matter. “Maybe it’s because we’re opposite types.”
“Well, now we know why you noticed Ivey in the first place,” Parker tossed in with a snicker. When Faith glanced at him in confusion, he shrugged. “Here, you thought you were experiencing some serious chemistry when you saw him, but it was probably just Brett inside him causing all the tingles and hair-raising.”
“Holy shit.” My mouth dropped open as I whirled to gape at her. “Is that why I first captured your attention?”
“What? No!” Faith instantly denied as if the suggestion was ludicrous. But then she followed it with a cringe. “I mean, I don’t think so. But…maybe.” Waving her hands, she sternly concluded, “The point is, I got to know you and fell for that guy.”
“Holy shit,” I mumbled in stupefaction. But if Brett had never been inside me, Faith and I might’ve never met at all. Tightening my grip on her hand and pulling it to my chest clingingly, I decided, “I guess that was one perk of being possessed. It brought you into my life.”
She laid her head on my shoulder and snuggled into my side, saying, “I think we were destined to meet no matter what,” just as Thane announced that the game was beginning.
From there, everyone’s attention turned to the large screen. The Stallions didn’t get first possession, but after a quick three and out, Foster took to the field with his crew, and everyone in the room cheered, proud of our boy. He’d come a long way from that grief-stricken ten-year-old who’d been gripped by uncontrollable panic attacks.
“So if Fos makes it to the championship, and it’s not in freaking Florida like this game, we’re all going, right?” Keene demanded. “Because I have this great idea for all of us to go shirtless and paint our chests with letters. Oaklynn, you can be S. And, Faith?—”
“Dream on, buddy,” I cut him off. “You’re not gonna get to see my stalker shirtless.”
And Damien added, “Yeah, I don’t fucking think so.”
“Oh, come on,” Keene cried and then held up a stern finger. “You know, you two are being just a little bit too controlling with your women. It’s not healthy. It’s not healthy at all.”
“And it’s not happening, no matter what they say,” Oaklynn promised with a lift of her eyebrows. “Faith and I aren’t showing you our tits.”
While Keene slumped back into his seat, muttering, “Fun haters,” the girls high-fived and Foster threw his first pass on the television, a twenty-three-yarder that landed perfectly in the arms of his receiver. We hollered in celebration, and the team lined up again for another first and ten, only for my phone to ring.
“No…”
“Boo…hiss…”
Popcorn was thrown at me for interrupting the game, but all I did was pick the pieces off my shirt and pop them into my mouth, unconcerned, as I dug my phone free and pressed it to my ear.
“Yo.”
“Hudson!” a familiar, booming voice answered. “Gavin Gusano here.”
“Uh…” I glanced over at Faith with a what-the-fuck expression and then added, “Hey…Mr. Gusano. This is unexpected.”
Damien put the game on mute so everyone could hear my side of the conversation, and Genesis’s father chuckled in my ear as if amused. “Yeah, I suppose so,” he allowed. “Say, I just wanted you to know that Genesis turned herself in to the proper authorities today.”
I sent Faith a look and slowly said, “Okay… Good to hear that she did the right thing.”
“Yes,” Mr. Gusano said. “So I was hoping you could refrain from pressing charges against her.”
“Well,” I drew out slowly. “I don’t think it’s within my control to stop that. The county attorney makes that decision, not me.”
“But you could…help her case. With the right testimony,” Gen’s dad prodded. “I’d make it worth your while if you did. How would you like to have your old job returned to you? You had glowing recommendations from both of your supervisors. They’d welcome you back to the team with open arms.”
I blurted out a small laugh and shook my head before saying, “No offense, sir, but you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to work at your restaurant.”
“Oh, come on, Hudson,” he cajoled, starting to lose his patience. “This is my little girl, here. My only daughter.”
“Who you clearly never taught that running over people with her car was bad.”
“Dammit, son,” he muttered. “I’m trying to work with you.”
“No. You’re trying to get your kid out of paying for something that she really needs to pay for. You know, she’s only going to get worse if you sweep this under the rug and don’t let her face any kind of accountability for her actions.”
“She’s facing jail time, Hudson. I can’t let her go to jail.”
“Then I guess she should’ve stepped on the brake instead of the gas.”
“Jesus. You’re a real piece of work, you know that, you little shit.”
I lifted my eyebrows and laughed in dismay. “And you’re one to talk. Not you or she or anyone in your whole damn family has offered me a single apology for trying to kill me or for unjustly firing me. You know, I could have your whole restaurant shut down for the unethical way you just took my job away. So keep talking, worm king. Piss me off some more.”
As everyone around me shouted their support, Gen’s dad grew very quiet.
Then he cleared his throat and said, “Let’s not get too hasty there, boy. I apologize for the inappropriate call.”
“And for your daughter’s inappropriate behavior?” I pressed with lifted eyebrows, just getting cocky now.
“Yes, yes…of course.” He coughed before mumbling, “That too. But leave the restaurant alone, would you? That had nothing to do with?—”
“I’ll tell you what,” I broke in. “You take care of my student loans, plus Faith Wood’s tuition at Haverick as well—since she’s the one Gen was actually aiming for—and I won’t file a suit against you for wrongful termination. Plus… I’ll mention in my testimony just how severely the sun was blaring into my eyes, and I really couldn’t see very clearly who was driving the car that hit me.”
Faith mouthed the word, “No!” at me, but I shook my head, not about to back out of this deal. I could live with not working at Gusanos anymore. But it’d be really nice to have my college taken care of. Plus, Faith’s too.
In my ear, Gavin Gusano said, “You have yourself a deal.”
“Great,” I answered. “Now lose this number.” And I hung up on him.
The room broke into applause as I tossed the phone into my lap, and I immediately glanced toward the television, thinking Foster had made some impressive move. But everyone was clapping for me.
“Very smooth,” Thane congratulated with an impressed nod, and the others took their turn after him, telling me I’d done good before Keene cried, “Ooh, Fos is back on the field,” and the volume was turned up.
As the guys returned their attention to the screen, I glanced at Faith for her opinion.
She merely shook her head with a gaping mouth. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Well, it’s done. No more college fees for us. Yay!”
“Whoa,” she breathed in shock. “That’s just…wow. But I’m still going to claim I saw her clear as day when they take my testimony.”
“That’s what I was counting on,” I sang as I nudged my arm into hers.
She smiled back. “God, you’re an evil genius.”
“Thank you.” I pulled her in for a quick kiss, then nuzzled my brow against hers before saying, “Now let’s finish this game, shall we?”
“But Genesis,” she started, shaking her head in confusion.
“Is no longer our problem,” I insisted. “I’m grateful that her torture led me to you, but I don’t want her wasting another minute in my head. I want to actually enjoy the rest of my life while I still have it. What about you?”
Faith looked amazed by the idea, but then she took my hand and smiled. “Alright, then,” she finally agreed. “Let’s finish this game.”
So that’s what we did.
Tipping my face over to rest it against Faith’s as everyone around us roared over Foster’s first touchdown, I squeezed her fingers and murmured, “Psst. Just so you know. I still feel that love stuff for you today too.” I think I fell in love with her a little more each and every day that passed. “Is that okay?”
She merely glanced at me and smiled. “I hope so because I still feel it too.”
The End