She slid onto his bed, crooking her finger at him. Kyle bounded after her, his expression sweet and tense. She pulled him close, resting his head against her chest, and ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and leaned into her hand, like he was starved and her touch was the only thing to sustain him. Maybe it was.
Were things a little awkward? Sure, but it was endearing, the way they learned at their own pace. She loved the gentle way his hands found places that made her world dissolve into sparks, and how he gasped her name when she found her own favorite places on his body. She loved this promise they made, here, now. Just the two of them, in their own little universe.
His heart raced under her hands when he glided over her, and she knew this had been the right choice. He could give her so much more than anyone else, even if it had taken him a while to see it.
And in the end, the look of wonder, of astonished release, on his face was the last puzzle piece falling into place.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kyle
He wanted to keep his eyes open, but he was too knocked over to try too hard. Faith had curled up next to him with her head on his chest, her body warm and soft. He'd have to take her back to school for her car soon, but he couldn't think about that, not yet.
"You okay?" she murmured, her breath tickling his skin.
Okay? He felt like a goddamned superhero. A really tired, satisfied superhero, but if he could move, he bet he'd fly.
"More than," he rumbled, the words slow and sleepy. "You?"
"Oh, yeah." She propped herself on one elbow. Her hair had fallen down her back, and a strand of it was draped over her shoulder. "I'm happy I was the one. And that you were mine."
"I'm still a train wreck." He stretched, eyes open just enough to notice how Faith's gaze trailed down his body. "But I'm your train wreck, if you'll have me."
"I already had you." She laughed. "But if you're asking me to be yours for more than just today, then yes."
He rolled over, facing away from her, and punched his pillow a few times before lying back down. "Now this day is perfect. I better turn off the lights so I don't wake up and find out I'm dreaming."
She gave his shoulder a little shake. "Hey, hibernating bear, much as I hate it, I need to go home. Remember, I have an Olympic archer living in my house, probably wondering where I am."
He struggled to sit up, blinking. "But you'll come back tomorrow?"
She took his face in her hands and kissed him. "Try to stop me."
He sat in his car in the driveway after dropping Faith off. Going into the house seemed too much like an end, and he wanted this day to stretch out forever.
There were two texts on his phone when he finally pulled it out. The first was from Violet: Good job, Sawyer.
The second was from Tristan: That crazy Ledecky scored two runs and made a diving catch to save a double. Good call, man.
Kyle smiled in the dark. He'd known Ledecky had it in him. He owed that kid, big-time.
His phone rang, and he laughed. "Yes, Cade?"
"Whoa, you sound a lot less stressed out. What happened after you two left?"
Kyle climbed out of his car and stared up at the stars, unable to quell the crazy grin on his face. For the first time in a long while, he felt whole, and he owed that to Faith. "Everything, man. Everything."
Epilogue
Faith
She mock-screamed as Curly was killed by Jud at the start of the nightmare ballet. The stage went dark except for the spotlight on her, and she danced in mourning as the sets were moved behind her and the dancers ran into place. One of them, a cowboy with broad shoulders, arms straining at his sleeves and a brooding, stern expression on his face, stalked toward her, heralded by two mocking cancan girls.
Dear God, Kyle looked good in costume, and she had a really hard time keeping her expression terrified and grief-stricken.
True to Mr. Fisk's prediction, Kyle had picked up the dance steps in one practice. He hit his marks in time with the music without any trouble, and kept character perfectly.
She'd known he could pull it off-he'd already proven he was a consummate actor, with four long years of experience playing a part.
She whirled toward him, and he lifted her straight up in one fluid movement. A few members of the audience clapped. He spun her around, pulling her close. Their eyes met, and his held a flicker of amusement as she leaned back like a rag doll, moving at his every whim.
He released her and she spun away, holding her head in her hands in fear as the chorus closed in on her again, forcing her back to Jud. The second lift went off perfectly, with Kyle's steady strength giving her balance she needed to hold her pose. Adrenaline shot through her veins-now it was only the fish lift. Time to blow minds and impress that agent in the audience who'd come to see her perform.
That was Kyle's doing, too.
She leaped and flew, pinballing around the chorus, driven to Jud like some horrible magnet. As she turned toward him, Kyle winked and she held her breath. Mr. Fisk was going to kill them later, but who cared?
She pirouetted into his arms, which came expertly around her waist and thigh. He lifted her, did the dip and whispered, "Here we go."
Then she was flying, sailing above his head and everyone else's. The audience whistled and applauded as Kyle set her down. It was so hard to keep the grin off her face.
Terrified, remember, you're terrified.
She danced and danced, letting the music and the moment sweep her up and in. It was perfect.
The chorus surrounded her, and she stumbled in pretend horror, a mute scream on her lips. She was unable to escape him, and Kyle grabbed her and hauled her over one shoulder. She pounded on his back, mock-kicking at him, as he carried her off stage. The curtain fell, and the crash of applause made her twitch as Kyle put her down.
Mr. Fisk was shaking his head. "Okay, okay, beautiful job, and I'll excuse the aerial out there since the agent's here, but no big lifts tomorrow."
He walked away, barking orders to Ado Annie to be ready for her cue. Faith leaned against Kyle, trembling with nerves and excitement. "Oh my God, that was awesome."
He laughed and pulled her into a hug. "I hate how I have to look at you when I'm in character, but I have to admit, the lifts were pretty awesome."
"They were!" She gave him a quick kiss before bending down to pull off her pointe shoes. She'd have to "wake up" from her dream onstage soon. "Don't go anywhere-you have to take the curtain call with us."
He nodded, and she hustled back onstage, so full of joy, she might burst. And when the play was over, Kyle joined them onstage to applause. If Josh looked just a teeny bit sour, well, she couldn't be all that sorry.
The lights shone down on the ball field. It was a gorgeous spring night, warm with a soft breeze that teased summer's coming arrival. Graduation was coming, too, but Faith wasn't worried. Kyle's grandpa, who'd come to the musical on Kyle's ticket, had been pretty impressed. A week later, she was asked to send her audition to Elon in North Carolina. Apparently, one of the trustees was an old marine buddy, and they were considering her for a spot.
She fought a smile, thinking about how she and Kyle had celebrated the news, after he told her he'd follow her anywhere he could grow a garden.
"You look like a kitten sneaking a hot dog off the counter," Vi said, raising a brow. "Care to share?"
Faith blushed. "Uh, not really."
"Uh-huh, thought not." Vi winked, then looked down at the field. "I have to say, I do love those baseball pants. Nice view."
"Vi … "
"Hey, you can't say you haven't noticed."
No, she sure couldn't.
Faith sat up straighter as Kyle ran to the outfield. She waved, but he had that "I'm invincible" game face on, so all she could do was grin at Vi. "You ready?"
"I know nothing about this sport." Violet leaned back, putting her hands on the floor of the bleachers behind them. She wore a Suttonville T, ripped along the hem and tied around her waist. "Why's Kyle way out there?"
Faith laughed. "He's an outfielder. You know, in case someone hits a pop fly, he can catch it."
Vi stared at her, slack-jawed. "Are you speaking Swedish?"
Faith patted her shoulder. "You'll pick it up."
Alyssa sat on her other side. To Faith's surprise, she knew a lot about baseball. She was staring at the batter's box. "That guy from Midway has a terrible stance."
Terrible stance or not, the guy hit the ball pretty hard, and it sailed between Tristan and Kyle. They raced for it, and Kyle waved Tristan off, throwing himself out Superman-style to catch it. He landed on his chest and slid several feet before stopping and holding up his mitt, showing the ball to the umpire.
Kyle stood up and dusted himself off. There was a grass stain on his white jersey, but he was grinning when he went to give Tristan a fist bump. Faith stood and applauded, and that caught his eye. He blew her a kiss before moving back into position for the next batter.
"But the guy hit it," Vi protested. "He hit the stinking ball. Why's he out?"
"Because the Midway guy had a terrible stance," Alyssa said, as if that explained everything. "And because Faith's boyfriend is a badass."