40. Foster
40
FOSTER
S pring practice was mainly just drills and conditioning. We couldn t work through all the plays yet because we didn t have everyone who d be on next year s team—some of our most promising sign-ons still had to graduate from high school. But I was left exhausted by the time Coach let us go, anyway.
I showered in the locker room before shrugging on a T-shirt and shorts. Then, I nudged my feet into some flip-flops and hefted the strap of my gym bag over my shoulder.
Yo, Union, one of the guys hollered as I started toward the door, wincing with every sore step I made. My body definitely needed to adjust to training again. Want to head over to Duke s with us and treat us to a couple of pizzas?
I smiled because I d been known to do that for them from time to time. But then I had to shake my head. Not tonight. Sorry. I gotta take another piss test.
Are you fucking serious? Javonte cried in dismay. Man, what is wrong with everyone? You re the least likely guy on the entire team to get involved in drugs. That is some total bullshit right there.
I could only shrug. Rumors are rumors, I said. And I gotta feed the mob with the truth. Later, guys.
When I waved and headed out the door, the others called back, wishing me good luck. I was relieved that they still saw me as the same old Foster and hadn t shunned me like others had.
I d had some stranger yell across the quad at me earlier between classes, telling me I should be kicked off the team. Parker had been with me, and I thought he was going to hunt the guy down and kick his ass right then and there, but I d managed to keep him at my side.
I had to admit, even though I didn t want so much fame, I kind of missed the golden boy reputation, where everyone actually liked me. It was so strange to me that I hadn t done anything differently at all, and suddenly perceptions had just turned on a dime because of something someone who didn t even know me had said. The world was a puzzling place that rarely made sense, that was for sure.
But I was going to keep being me, anyway.
After stopping by the coach s office and doing my thing, I was finally on my way. At my truck, I glanced across the interior of the cab at the passenger seat out of habit, except Raina wasn t there. It was beginning to hurt less to not see her everywhere. But I still missed her.
I kept trying to think up stupid reasons to text her, only to talk myself out of it again.
The next step had to be hers.
Sighing dismally, I started the truck and nearly drove all the way home to my parent s place before I remembered I no longer lived there. So I had to backtrack about five minutes before pulling into my new apartment s parking lot and killing the engine.
I don t know what I d been thinking by taking Raina s old room. I knew it was to help her not lose the down payment on her lease and because I was holding on to the hope that she d remember and come back, but God. It hurt to live there without her.
The silence of living alone was odd, too. I was so used to the continuous, boisterous flow of my family around that it was hard to find any peace in all the quiet.
When I reached 2G, I dug my apartment key from my pocket and spent the next few seconds unlocking the door. Then I entered the cool, darkened interior of the front room before flipping on the light and shutting the door behind me with my foot.
Heaving out a lonely sigh, I tossed my bag into a side chair and started toward the entrance of the kitchen, only to pull up short when I spotted a potted blanket flower plant along with the philodendron of Raina s that I had watered for her sitting side by side on my kitchen table.
Lips parting, I spun around and found her stepping into the doorway that led into my bedroom.
What the…?
She entered my living room, wearing nothing but one of my old yellow and brown practice jerseys.
Her feet and legs were bare, and from the sway of her breasts as she walked, there was no bra on under there either.
Raina? I gasped, positive I was seeing things.
She waved shyly. I considered waiting naked, but with my luck, you d come home with someone else. She shrugged and winced. And it d probably be Little.
What re you…? I shook my head and took a step toward her, only to stop. Are you really here? I mean…
You mean, is this physically me or am I in another coma?
I swallowed thickly. God, please don t be in another coma.
With an amused smile, she curled her finger, beckoning me forward. Why don t you come find out?
I stepped toward her again, trembling as I lifted my arm. When our hands brushed, I exhaled roughly. Oh, thank God. I gripped her fingers and held on tight. You re really here.
Raina laughed. Yeah. Then her smile faltered briefly. I hope it was okay that I used my key to get in.
Of course. I bobbed my head stupidly. The place is still yours. It s in your name. As I spoke, my gaze skimmed down her bare legs, and my body responded thickly as I wondered if she was wearing anything at all under that shirt.
What re you doing here, though? I asked in wonder, shaking my head to get over the shock.
She bit her lip. Well, I was wondering, she started with a hopeful, cringe. Do you think it s possible for me to become the first girl to ever sleep with Foster Union more than once?
My mouth fell open. I blinked at her, startled by the request until she added, In the physical state, anyway, since I m not sure if the ghost sex actually counts.
You remember, I realized. Holy shit. You remember.
She laughed again, and tears glittered in her eyes as she bobbed her head enthusiastically. I remember everything. And I m so sorry, Foster. Oh my God, I m sorry I did the exact same thing to you that every other girl had. I m sorry it took me this long for it all to come back. I m?—
Fuck the time span, I exclaimed, laughing as I gripped handfuls of her hair and pressed my brow to hers. You remember. I can t believe you can remember. I missed you. Oh hell, I missed you so much.
I missed you too, she gushed, cupping my face in her hands. I didn t even know what I was missing most of the time; I just knew there was this strange, empty ache in me that wouldn t go away until Hayes found me in a dream, and he— She shook her head. Well, I don t know what he did, but he helped me remember.
Hayes did this for you? I asked in awe.
He did it for us , she clarified. Or maybe just for you. But, yes, he cleaned up my brain so I could remember again.
With a groan, I crushed my mouth to hers, and she kissed me back eagerly.
It was like coming home. My arms wrapped around her waist, and I gripped the back of the jersey she wore to pull her flush against me. Her fingers plowed through my hair, and our tongues merged as we strained closer.
When I went to grip her ass, I discovered she wasn t wearing any panties under the shirt, after all.
I tore my lips from hers to gasp, Want to know what else I ve missed?
With a husky chuckle, she taunted, Why don t you just show me.
Groaning, I picked her up and carried her toward the couch. Done.
* * *
So what does this mean now? I asked later that night as Raina wiggled her backside into me on my bed so I could spoon my body around hers and wrap a protective arm around her waist, physically tethering her to me.
Above the doorway, the two horseshoes she d left for me remained hanging with one facing up and one facing down. And I decided that they must mean good luck after all, just difficultly gained.
Well, I hope you re okay with the idea of me returning to Westport, she started.
Definitely, I said, sighing in relief as I buried my face in her hair and inhaled her Raina scent.
Good. Because I already enrolled for fall classes at HaveU, and somehow, I got my old job back at Printer Pro.
Seriously? My arm tightened in excitement. That s great.
Yeah. And as for living arrangements?—
I can move in with the guys, no problem, I offered readily, eager to give her apartment back if it meant she was going to return to Westport.
Or… she countered, playfully walking her fingers along my forearm. You could just…stay.
I paused. You mean…?
I don t know. She suddenly sounded uncertain. I kind of got used to living with you during the coma.
I did too, I said in a strained voice, trying not to hope for too much.
Then…? It was her turn to lead me into admitting what I wanted.
I would love to live here with you, just the two of us, I said, only to cringe. Not sure how I m going to explain to my family how I went from not even having a girlfriend to suddenly living with one that I m stupid in love with, but —I let out a nervous yet excited laugh— I ll figure it out.
We ll figure it out, she corrected. Because I ll have to tell the captain the same thing.
But you still want to? I asked, holding my breath and hoping she didn t change her mind.
Fuck yes, she assured.
I laughed. Ditto.
Oh my God, she squealed, wiggling against me and gripping my forearm that was still wrapped around her waist. We re really doing this, then?
I kissed the back of her hair and sighed. We seem to be. Relaxing against her, I closed my eyes and luxuriated in the moment. Thank you for remembering.
It was all Hayes, I promise you.
Smiling with my eyes closed, I murmured a happy sound. Then please thank him for me. A moment later, I admitted, I m jealous that you get to see him, but I m also grateful you do. I m glad I know he s a guide, and he s going to be the first thing I see when it s my time.
He s a total sweetheart, Raina said. And he has your smile, that gorgeous Union grin.
I stroked my hand over her hip. I love you.
Twisting in my arms so she could face me, Raina stroked a palm along my cheek before whispering, And I love you , before she pressed her lips against mine.
* * *
When we finally got to sleep, we lay wrapped in each other s arms, almost afraid to pull away from each other. But then she started to turn into a stove, and at some point I rolled toward my side of the bed, seeking cooler sheets, only for my cheek to squish into sand.
What the…?
I shook my head and opened my eyes, only to find myself on a quiet, darkened beach.
Raina? I blurted, jerking upright.
Right here, she answered from nearby, sounding bleary and half awake. But… When I spun to find her sitting in the sand about five feet away, she squinted at me in tired confusion. What re you doing here? I only come here when I m asleep.
Well… I frowned in thought. If I fell asleep next to you, maybe you brought me along for the ride. Is this where you?—?
Yes, she told me. This is where I always meet Hayes.
My breath stalled in my lungs. So he could be nearby?
She pointed toward the surf. He s usually out by the water.
I darted my attention that way, only to catch sight of a figure wading through the tide. Oh my God, I choked out. Hayes?
The boy lifted his face and looked over in surprise. Foster?
I scrambled to my feet and started to charge toward him as he bounded up the sand toward me. When we reached each other, I fell to my knees and opened my arms, and his small, spry body plowed into mine.
Oh my God, I repeated, squeezing my eyes shut and hugging my brother close. You look exactly the same.
You don t, he answered with a laugh as we pulled apart to study each other. You got old.
I laughed and wiped at the tears on my face. Yeah.
Oh, but that reminds me, he said, sounding excited. I ve been practicing. Raina said you like to imagine what I d look like if I d lived to be my present-day age. Well… Fisting his hands down at his sides, he gritted his teeth as if straining, and then he began to morph and grow until he was an eighteen-year-old.
Holy shit, I breathed. Look at you.
Damn Foster. Raina nudged my arm as she joined us. Little brother would ve given you a run for your money in the looks department.
I rolled my eyes at her, unable to stop grinning the whole time, only to turn back to Hayes. I miss you so much, I said, only to fall somber. And I—I m sorry about, you know, everything.
Hey, there s nothing to be sorry about, he assured me.
But I didn t—God, Hayes. Why didn t you tell me what was happening to you? When you were drowning? Maybe I could ve?—
Could ve what? he interrupted with a sad smile. Swam out into the riptide yourself to try to save me and died right along with me? Because I know that s exactly what you would ve done. My hero of a brother; you would ve gone out there yourself. And I didn t want that. I wasn t about to let you drown with me. One of us needed to stay back with the family. And I chose you.
Hayes…
As my cheeks flooded, he reached out and clasped the side of my arm supportively. Everything that was supposed to happen did . I m happy here. My work is fulfilling.
Okay, I choked out the words and then nodded at him, blinking rapidly. Okay.
And hey, he added cheerfully. Now that Raina s figured out how to dream share, she can bring you to visit as often as you want. The rest of the family too. I can t wait to meet Breydan and Little.
Smiling through the sheen of tears, I nodded, rasping, I d like that. The rest of the family would too. Mom and Dad, for sure.
When a distant shout came from up the beach, the three of us glanced over, only for Hayes to snap his fingers. Oh yeah. I brought my own guest. You want to meet Raina s sister?
Is that Kinsey? Brightening, Raina streaked past me to race forward and greet her.
Hayes and I stood next to each other as we watched the two sisters embrace.
She s quite the spitfire, Hayes warned, elbowing me. Let me introduce you.
As he started that way, I followed along eagerly.
And look, Raina was telling the girl with the light brown hair. I brought Foster this time.
As the two sisters turned to face me, I took in their similarities and differences.
Surprisingly, they had the same height and frame, same hips and chest size, and yet they wore it so differently. Raina somehow made her beauty friendly and sweet, and Kinsey managed to give hers a seductive bent.
Arching up a curious eyebrow, the older sister hummed deep in her throat. So this is the famous football player, huh?
Nice to finally meet you, I said, holding out a hand. Sorry I didn t get to while you were alive.
Oh, be grateful I m not, she warned with a saucy wink as she took my hand. I would ve been much more savage to you if I was still kicking. Then she jerked me toward her. Now give me a hug, boy who s claimed my sister s heart.
With a laugh, I hugged Kinsey and met Raina s gaze over her shoulder. Smiling big, she squeezed Hayes s arm and hopped happily as she lifted a hand to her mouth to hide her excitement.
I love you , I mouthed to her, and she mouthed it back.
Take care of her for me, will you? Kinsey said into my ear.
I pulled back to send big sister a solemn nod. I am.
Raina moved to my side and took my hand, and the four of us glanced at each other, laughing as if we had no idea what to do next. So from there, we simply walked along the beach, talking, until we found a place to make a mammoth-sized sandcastle together until dawn when Raina and I both woke, only to hug and hold each other, realizing what a gift it was to get to see our loved ones again.
Thank you, I told her.
But she only shook her head and stroked my face. I think all the thanks go to your brother.