Chapter 25

WHITLEY

Aubrey talked me into going to the last game before the Super Bowl. She said if they don’t make it, at least I made it to one of the games, and if they do, then we’ll be sitting at the Superdome in Louisiana where the Super Bowl is being held this year.

I haven’t been around so many people in a long time. We got here early just for that reason alone. I wasn’t sure how my nerves were going to be with so many people around. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to bother me much.

We watch the guys come out of the locker room and into the tunnel. They are ramped up and a little loud. Aubrey looks over, but so far, I’m okay. I’m standing there looking at my phone. Kendrick comes over to see us before he goes on to the field. He hugs me.

“I’m so glad you made it, sis.”

“Me too.”

He turns and stands there looking at Aubrey. She looks up.

“What are you staring at? Don’t you know it’s not polite to stare?” she says jokingly.

“The love of my life,” Kendrick replies.

All of a sudden, my head feels like it’s going to explode. I feel like I’m watching a movie of my life. Everything comes back to me all at once.

I said the exact same thing to Gabriel once. He was hovering over me. We were making love. I remember everything. How I met Aubrey, the dress she helped me pick out, how I introduced her to Kendrick, the attack, and most importantly, Gabriel. How we love each other. How he feels about me, and how I need him forever.

I must have said his name because next thing I know, Gabriel is kneeling in front of me. He has my hands in his.

“Whitley, it’s me Gabriel.”

I look at him with tears streaming down my face.

“Oh my god, Gabriel! Tell me it’s not too late!”

“Too late for what, Whit?”

I look at his handsome face and feel all the love for this man flow through me. I put both hands on his face.

“Gabriel, I remember.”

He immediately pulls me up to my feet.

“Everything, Whit?”

I nod.

“I remember everything! The whole damn summer! It came to me so suddenly, like a movie on fast-forward. I remember us! Dammit, Gabriel! You should have told me we were together!”

He kisses me hard. The team behind me goes wild, but I don’t give a shit. My arms wrap around his neck, and I refuse to let go. We only break apart at the sound of the coach’s whistle, letting the players know it’s time to move. Gabriel puts his forehead against mine.

“You’re the love of my life, Whit.” He kisses me quickly and heads off.

“I love you, Gabriel,” I shout.

We make it to our seats, and my phone rings. It’s my mom.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m just checking on you and seeing how you were doing at the game.”

“Absolutely amazing, Mom! I got my memories back. All of them!” I say.

“Honey, that’s incredible! I knew you would. Now you and Gabriel can pick up where you left off,” my mom says.

I chuckle.

“I can’t believe it! It just came back to me! Aubrey said something to Kendrick that I’ve said to Gabriel before, and it just caused an avalanche of all my memories!”

“That’s wonderful news! I know Gabriel has been having a hard time loving you from afar.”

“Well, he doesn’t have to anymore.”

“Glory be! Maybe we will hear wedding bells one day.”

“Mom…”

“Don’t throw the idea out, baby girl. The heart wants what it wants, no matter what your mind says.”

“We’ll talk later, Mom. The game is starting.”

“All right, my dear! Can’t wait to give your father the news!”

“Love you!”

***

The game is a pure shutout. Our team was on fire and ran the opposing team into the ground. By the end of the game, we’re headed to the Super Bowl.

We wait in our seats for most everybody to leave and for the guys to shower. They have to do a few interviews on the way off the field, so it takes a while. I laugh when a reporter asks Gabriel about me.

“Sorry, I don’t answer questions when it comes to her,” Gabriel says.

With that, he takes off down the tunnel and into the locker room.

***

About thirty minutes later, the guys come out showered and dressed. Aubrey and I are waiting at the tunnel entrance, and Gabriel makes a beeline straight for me. He drops his bag and takes me in his arms. His lips come down on mine, and he lifts me automatically. I wrap my legs around him as he holds me up by my ass.

“Umm, I know it’s been a while, but can you two at least wait till you get home for that?” Kendrick says.

We break apart and see a grinning Kendrick. Gabriel looks back at me.

“By the way, you’re coming home with me, where you belong.”

I look at him, confused. He puts me down and grabs his bag.

“Our house, Whit. Say goodbye to your brother.”

I turn to Kendrick.

“Bye, brother!”

Kendrick waves at me with a shit-eating grin on his face.

***

I don’t have much time to look at our new house when we get there, because dammit, we need each other bad. We barely make it to the bedroom before we’re naked. We’re all over each other, and I’m literally dripping down my thighs.

“Shit, baby. I need to feel you so bad right now,” Gabriel growls as we reach the bed. I lie back.

“Good, because I need to feel you, Gabriel.”

He hovers over me, and I feel every inch as he slowly slides inside me. My back arches automatically.

“Oh shit!”

“Damn, you’re tight for me, baby,” he says.

I have to feel him with my hands. All those muscles under my fingertips. Gabriel is kissing and sucking along my jaw and neck. My hands reach his ass and squeeze hard. He groans against my neck.

“Harder, Gabriel!”

He speeds up, and the burning in my lower body wants more.

“Hold on, baby.”

He picks my legs up and puts them over his shoulders. He then lifts my ass up to get just the right angle and starts to pound into me hard.

“Oh, shit! That’s it!” I moan.

“Fuck, you feel so good!”

“Oh, yes!”

“Cum for me, Whit. I need to feel you cum all over my cock. I need to feel you squeeze me, baby.”

As soon as he reaches down and rubs my clit, I’m a goner. I cum harder than I ever have before. I cum screaming his name. I feel him swell right before he releases with a loud groan. My legs slide down his body, and he leans down, laying his head on my chest. I can still feel him inside me, semi-hard.

“I was afraid I’d lost you. I love you so much, Whitley.”

“Never. Thank you for never giving up on me.”

“I could never give up on you. You’re my end game.”