The Boyfriend Deal(20)

"Did I ever tell you thank you?" I asked.

"For what?"

"That night in my kitchen, when I was falling apart and feeling sorry  for myself. What you said really got to me, and it's because of you that  I'm here and taking classes. I was ready to give up and throw in the  towel, but then I realized, if you weren't giving up on me then maybe I  shouldn't either."

"Red, I … "

"No, let me finish. I had thought you were a crutch and that I was  depending on you too much. I couldn't see you for the blessing you were.  It never occurred to me that you were cheering me on, just like I do at  your games. When we made that stupid boyfriend deal, I never realized  what I would get from it. You're my best friend, Tyler, and the man I  love. You gave me all of yourself, completely and without reservation,  and I can never thank you enough for that."

"Red, I'm the one who came out a winner. I only came up with that deal  so you'd go out with me. You were everything I'd never thought to reach  for, the unattainable good girl. I'm the one who's thankful. You took a  chance on me, the bad boy, the player, and you gave me the opportunity  to show you that I could be more."

"I love you," I said softly.

Tyler rose from his chair and knelt beside me, wrapping a hand around the back of my neck.

"Love you more."

I smiled as he kissed me silly. I'd never been more grateful to that  ridiculous boyfriend deal. What I had once thought would be the worst  mistake of my life had turned out to be the best thing that ever  happened to me.



The End