Part 27 ( Ellie )

I blink awake and I register warmth. Soft, steady breathing against my skin, a faint scent of vanilla.

My face is buried in the curve of her shoulder, my arm wrapped snugly around her waist. She's still asleep, her body relaxed against mine, one of her hands resting loosely over mine.

I don't move at first. I just lie there, letting the moment settle over me.

Juliet Baldwin, in my bed.

It should feel surreal, but it doesn't. It feels like something that was always meant to happen, like a thread that never really frayed, only stretched.

My lips brush against her shoulder, barely a kiss. Just a touch, a reminder to myself that she's real, that this isn't some half-formed dream I'll wake up from alone.

She shifts slightly, but doesn't wake.

I press another kiss, this time against the smooth curve of her neck. A hum escapes her lips, soft and breathy, but she's still somewhere between sleep and wakefulness.

Smirking, I press another kiss, then another. Slow, lazy, trailing along the line of her shoulder, up the side of her neck, to the corner of her jaw.

Juliet stirs, her body stretching against mine, and then a giggle.

A real, unfiltered giggle.

My chest tightens at the sound. I can't remember the last time I heard her laugh like that. Light, unguarded.

She turns slightly, still half-asleep, her voice drowsy with amusement. "Ellieee"

I kiss her cheek, grinning. "Morning."

Juliet lets out another breathy laugh, her shoulders shaking slightly as she tries to curl into herself, but I don't let her. I just hold her closer, pressing another kiss against the sensitive spot beneath her ear.

She laughs again, shifting beneath me, her fingers tightening over mine. "That tickles."

I hum, dragging my lips lower, back to the curve of her neck. "Good."

Juliet groans, but she's still laughing, her voice muffled as she buries her face into the pillow. "Stopp"

I grin against her skin. "Nah, you love it."

She lets out another pure giggle, genuine. The kind I used to live for.

Juliet stretches against me before slipping out of my arms, the warmth of her body disappearing as she sits up. I groan, already missing it. She doesn't acknowledge my complaint, just swings her legs over the side of the bed and stands.

Completely bare.

I prop myself up on my elbow, my gaze immediately dragging down her back, tracing the elegant curve of her spine, the way her blonde waves tumble over her shoulders.

She walks toward the bathroom.

I don't even try to be subtle about it. My eyes rake over every inch of her, from the delicate slope of her shoulders to the dip of her waist, the long, lean lines of her legs.

The moment she reaches the doorway, I smirk. "You better put something on, or I'll pull you back in bed."

Juliet pauses, glancing at me over her shoulder, one brow arched. The look alone is a challenge, but the slight smirk playing at her lips? That's trouble.

"Is that so?" Her voice is light, teasing.

I nod, my eyes still shamelessly roaming. "Mmhmm."

Juliet hums, leaning against the doorframe like she has all the time in the world. "And what if I don't?"

My smirk deepens. "Then we're gonna have a problem."

She tilts her head slightly, tapping a finger against her chin like she's considering it. Then, she lifts one arm, sweeping her hair over her shoulder, exposing the pale column of her throat.

My grip on the sheets tightens.

"What kind of problem?" she muses, voice smooth as silk.

I shift onto my elbow, jaw tightening as I watch her. "The kind where you won't be walking out of here for a while."

Juliet laughs, soft and knowing, but she doesn't move toward me. Instead, she reaches for the bathroom door, arching a brow. "Mm. Tempting."

I narrow my eyes. "Juliet—"

She steps inside, closing the door just enough to block my view.

"Guess you'll have to wait and see," she calls over her shoulder.

The door clicks shut.

I groan, dropping back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling.

I'm gonna lose my mind.

-

The sound of running water drifts through the door, the soft echo of the shower filling the quiet of the room.

I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. Guess she's making herself at home.

Not that I should be surprised. This is Juliet Baldwin we're talking about. She doesn't hesitate, doesn't ask permission. She just moves through spaces like she owns them, and people let her.

Including me.

I exhale, pushing myself up from the bed. If she's going to take her time, then I'll use mine wisely.

I grab some clothes from my dresser and make my way to the guest bathroom down the hall. The water is freezing when I step under the spray, probably because Juliet has the temperature cranked up to hell in the other shower, but I don't waste time complaining. I move quickly, washing away the last remnants of sleep, then brush my teeth before stepping out, toweling off.

Once I'm dressed in a gray hoodie and matching sweatpants, I make my way downstairs.

I should make her breakfast before she gets out.

It's not something I think too hard about, it just feels like the right thing to do. A habit I haven't shaken.

I step into the kitchen, stretching my arms over my head before grabbing the things I need. Eggs, bacon, toast, some fruit. Nothing fancy, but something good enough to make sure she eats before she goes off to run her empire or whatever she has planned for the day.

I roll my sleeves up, cracking the eggs into the pan as the butter sizzles beneath them. The smell of bacon fills the kitchen, warm and familiar, and for a moment, everything feels easy.

Like this is normal. Like she's supposed to be here.

I shake the thought off, focusing on the task at hand.

Juliet Baldwin and normal don't belong in the same sentence.

-

I set the plates down on the counter, stepping back with a satisfied nod. Everything's ready, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, toast, and some fresh fruit. Simple, but solid.

I lean against the counter, arms crossed, waiting.

As if on cue, Juliet walks in.

She's freshly showered, her blonde hair in waves cascading down her back, wrapped in nothing but one of my shirts. It's oversized on her, barely clinging to her frame.

She stops in the doorway, tilting her head as her sharp gaze flicks from me to the food. A slow, amused smirk tugs at her lips.

"Didn't know you were the breakfast-in-bed type," she muses, stepping closer.

I scoff, pushing off the counter. "Don't flatter yourself. You just happen to be here."

She hums, reaching for a piece of bacon, biting into it without breaking eye contact. "Mm," she drawls, licking a crumb off her lip. "If I'd known sleeping with you came with a full meal, I would've reconsidered years ago."

I roll my eyes, grabbing my own plate. "Sit down and eat, Baldwin."

She smirks, but listens, slipping onto the stool at the kitchen island. I sit beside her, digging into my food as she takes another bite, humming in approval.

"Delicious as always. Thank you." she says.

I grin, chewing on a piece of toast. "You're welcome."

For a moment, the conversation slows. The only sounds in the kitchen are the quiet clink of silverware against plates, the occasional sip of coffee. It's comfortable.

Too comfortable.

"So," I say, breaking the silence, "what's your plan for the day?"

Juliet doesn't even blink. "Work."

I snort. "Shocker."

She smirks over her coffee. "What can I say? Someone has to keep the empire running."

"Right," I say, leaning back against my stool. "Wouldn't want Baldwin Lux to crumble in your absence."

She tilts her head, amusement flickering in her gaze. "Exactly."

I shake my head, stretching my arms over my head. "Well, you enjoy that."

Juliet hums, watching me over the rim of her cup. "And what about you, Crawford? What's on your agenda?"

I pop a grape into my mouth, chewing slowly. Then, casually, "Meeting with Bella."

Juliet stills.

It's brief, barely a flicker of hesitation, but I catch it. The way her fingers pause around her fork.

Then, just as quickly, she schools her expression, lifting a perfectly shaped brow. "Oh?"

I laugh. "Relax, Jules. I'm breaking up with her."

Juliet doesn't respond at first. She just watches me, lips parted slightly like she was about to say something but thought better of it.

Then, after a moment, she exhales, shaking her head. "Good."

I grin. "You were worried."

She scoffs. "I was not worried."

I chuckle, leaning in slightly. "You hesitated."

Juliet glares. "I did not hesitate."

"You totally hesitated."

She exhales through her nose, shaking her head as she picks up another piece of bacon. "Eat your damn breakfast, Ellie."

I smirk, but let it go, taking another bite of eggs.

Juliet sips her coffee, watching me over the rim. "So, you're really doing it?"

I nod. "Yeah. It's overdue."

She hums, swirling the liquid in her cup. "And then what?"

I pause for a second, then shrug. "Then I figure out what's next."

Juliet doesn't say anything. She just nods slowly, like she's considering something.

I take another bite, watching her.

She wants to ask something.

But she doesn't.

-

We finish eating, and Juliet goes to get dressed. She slips back into her perfectly curated world, tailored blazer, pencil skirt, polished shoes.

But underneath it all, she's still wearing my shirt.

I notice the way the collar peeks out from beneath her blazer, the fabric just slightly looser than anything she'd normally wear. It clings to her in a way that makes something deep in my chest tighten.

I don't comment on it.

Instead, I shove my hands into my pockets as she smooths out the hem of her jacket, adjusting the cuffs with practiced precision. She looks up, meeting my gaze with that unreadable expression of hers.

"Well," she says, voice as composed as ever. "I should go."

I nod, following her to the door. The air between us is lighter now.

She reaches for the handle.

I grab her wrist.

Her gaze flickers up to mine, questioning, but I don't give her time to think.

I pull her in, one hand cupping the back of her neck as I crash my mouth against hers.

She doesn't resist.

She melts into it, her hands gripping my jacket as she exhales sharply against my lips. I take my time, deepening the kiss, tasting the remnants of coffee.

Her fingers tighten in my shirt, pulling me closer, like she doesn't want to let go.

Neither do I.

But I break away just enough to let my lips graze her jaw, then the curve of her neck. She exhales a soft curse, her hands pressing against my chest like she's debating whether to push me away or pull me back in.

I smirk against her skin. "Leaving already?"

Juliet huffs a quiet laugh, but it's breathless, her voice just slightly uneven. "Needing more already?"

I tilt my head, meeting her gaze with a lazy grin. "I always need more with you."

She exhales, shaking her head like she's trying to regain control of the moment.

Then she steps back, smoothing out her blazer like that will fix the heat lingering between us.

I watch as she composes herself, as she reaches for the door again.

She pauses, glancing over her shoulder, eyes flickering with something I can't quite place.

Then, with the faintest smirk, she says, "Don't miss me too much, Crawford."

And just like that, she's gone.

-

I clean the kitchen methodically, letting the repetitive motion keep my mind from wandering too far. The sound of running water, the clink of dishes, the faint scent of coffee still lingering in the air. It keeps me from thinking too hard about the warmth Juliet left behind in my bed, in my shirt, in my goddamn head.

I exhale sharply, shaking it off.

By the time the last dish is dried and put away, my apartment feels still again.

I move to the living room, sinking into the couch, rubbing a hand over my jaw. My phone sits on the coffee table, the screen dark.

I know what I need to do.

I grab it, unlock the screen, and scroll to Bella's name. My fingers hover over the keyboard for half a second before I start typing.

Me: Hey. Can we meet?

The reply comes almost instantly.

Bella: Tell me when and where.

There's no hesitation in her response. No suspicion. Just the same easy trust she's always had in me.

Something in my chest tightens.

I exhale through my nose and type back.

Me: Blackwood Café. 3PM.

Bella: Okay. See you then.

I stare at the screen for a moment, my jaw tightening. There's no good way to do this. No way to make it easy.

But it has to be done.

I push myself off the couch and head to my room.

I need to change.

I pull off my hoodie, tossing it onto the bed before grabbing a plain black shirt from my dresser. Something simple. Nothing that makes this feel bigger than it already is.

Jeans. A leather jacket. Something that feels like armor.

I run a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath as I glance at my reflection in the mirror.

-

The café is quiet, the kind of place where people come to work or meet in hushed voices over overpriced coffee. I've already ordered for both of us, her usual and mine, and now I sit, waiting, fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic of my cup.

The door chimes, and I glance up. Bella walks in, looking... okay. Not happy, not miserable, just okay. Her hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail, her usual effortless style, and she scans the café before her eyes land on me.

She exhales before walking over, sliding into the seat across from me without a word.

"Hey," I say first.

She meets my gaze, nodding. "Hey."

Silence settles between us. I swallow, pressing my palms against my thighs, trying to find the right words. I knew this conversation wouldn't be easy, but now that she's sitting in front of me, waiting, the weight of it all presses down a little harder.

I take a deep breath. "Bella... I'm sorry." I let the words sit between us for a second before continuing. "For everything. For hurting you, for betraying your trust, for not being the person you deserved. I should've been honest with you, should've been better, but I wasn't. I was selfish, and I didn't think about how much I was going to hurt you until it was too late. You deserved someone who would put you first, who wouldn't make you question where they stood, and I didn't do that. I wasn't fair to you, and I wasn't fair to us. And for that, I'm truly, genuinely sorry."

I exhale slowly, meeting her eyes, waiting. Not for forgiveness, I don't expect that. Just for her to say something. Anything.

Bella lets the words sit between us, her fingers curling around the cup in front of her. She doesn't take a sip. She just stares at me, her nails tapping lightly against the ceramic.

Then she scoffs. "Wow," she says, dragging the word out like it's a revelation. "That's a really nice speech, Ellie. Did you rehearse it in the mirror? Maybe run it by Juliet first?"

I sigh.

"No, really," she cuts me off, leaning back in her chair. "I mean, that was textbook perfect. You admitted to being selfish, you acknowledged my feelings, and you even sprinkled in some self-loathing to make yourself seem extra remorseful. Gold star for effort."

I press my lips together, inhaling slowly through my nose. "I meant every word."

She laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Right. Sure. You mean it now. After the fact. After you decided I wasn't worth the truth."

I swallow, keeping my hands in my lap. "I never thought you weren't worth the truth, Bella."

Her jaw tenses, eyes narrowing. "Really? Then explain why you strung me along. Explain why you let me believe we had a future when you were out there chasing ghosts."

I flinch at that, but I don't argue. I don't defend myself. Because she's not wrong.

Bella watches my reaction, lips pressing together like she's waiting for me to fight back. When I don't, she exhales sharply, shaking her head. "God, I should've known. I should've seen it the second you started acting weird, but I was stupid enough to think you actually loved me."

I blink, my chest tightening. "I did."

She lets out a bitter laugh. "No, you didn't, Ellie. You liked me. You liked the idea of me. But love? Love doesn't make you do what you did."

I don't look away. "You're right."

Bella stills slightly. "I don't need your pity agreement."

"It's not pity," I say quietly. "It's me acknowledging that I hurt you in a way I can't fix."

She shakes her head, exhaling a harsh breath. "You don't get it, do you?" Her voice lowers, sharper now. "You don't just hurt people and then sit across from them in a goddamn coffee shop like everything can be wrapped up with an apology."

"I know that," I say softly. "I don't expect you to forgive me."

She scoffs. "Good. Because I don't."

I nod slowly, letting her words settle. The bitterness in her voice, the pain layered beneath it, I deserve all of it.

She shakes her head again, like she can't believe this is happening. "And let me guess," she says, crossing her arms. "You're here to officially end things. Right? Because you suddenly found the decency to do it in person instead of through a fucking text?"

I inhale deeply. "Yes."

Bella lets out a cold, sharp laugh, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "How noble of you."

I don't respond. I just watch her, letting her get it all out.

She stares at me for a long moment. Then she huffs a breath, shaking her head. "You know what, Ellie? I actually feel bad for you."

I blink, caught off guard. "What?"

She leans in slightly, her expression twisting into something cruel. "You think Juliet's gonna be different, don't you?"

I exhale slowly, my body going rigid. "Bella—"

"She's going to ruin you," Bella continues, her voice sharp, cutting. "You're running right back to the person who wrecked you the first time, and you actually think this time will be different? God, that's pathetic."

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. "This isn't about Juliet."

Bella laughs again, shaking her head. "It's always about Juliet. It always has been."

I don't deny it.

Bella notices. Her lips curl into something almost smug, but there's pain behind it. "Good luck with her, Ellie. Really. Because when she breaks you again, when she decides she's done playing with you, don't come crying to me."

I exhale through my nose, grounding myself. "I wouldn't do that to you."

She leans back, tilting her head. "No, you wouldn't. Because I'll be long gone."

I nod once. "That's fair."

Bella shakes her head, standing abruptly. "I don't need your permission to move on."

"I know."

She stares at me for a beat longer, like she's waiting for something else, but I don't give it to her.

Finally, she exhales, grabbing her bag. "We're done, Ellie."

I nod. "Yeah. We are."

She lingers for a second, then scoffs under her breath. Without another word, she turns and walks out of the café, leaving me sitting there alone.

I watch her go, exhaling slowly.

It's over.

For real this time.

I sit there for a moment, staring at the half-empty coffee cup in front of me. The bitter taste still lingers on my tongue, but it's nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest.

Bella's words replay in my mind, sharp and venomous, each one landing exactly where she wanted them to.

I don't blame her.

She deserves better from me. She deserves someone who wouldn't lie, who wouldn't cheat, who wouldn't sit across from her in a coffee shop and try to piece together some half-assed apology that could never undo the damage I caused.

I failed her.

I know that.

But even with the guilt twisting in my stomach, even with the weight of everything I did wrong, I can't ignore the small flicker of relief beneath it all.

It's over.

No more pretending. No more forcing something that was never meant to last. No more holding onto something just because I was afraid of what would happen if I let go.

I finally let go.

I inhale deeply, running a hand down my face before standing. I toss a few bills on the table, more than enough to cover both drinks, and grab my keys.

The air outside is cold, the city moving at its usual rhythm, completely indifferent to the wreckage I left behind.

I shove my hands into my pockets as I make my way to my car, the conversation still buzzing in my head.

You think Juliet's gonna be different, don't you?

I grip the wheel a little tighter, exhaling through my nose.

This isn't about Juliet.

I shake off the thought and start the engine, pulling out of the parking lot.

I need to focus. I need to move forward.

-

The drive to the training facility is familiar, muscle memory taking over as I weave through traffic. The closer I get, the lighter my chest feels.

Football has always been my escape. The one thing that made sense when everything else fell apart.

I pull into the lot, kill the engine, and step out, rolling my shoulders as I head inside. The scent of turf, sweat, and effort fills the air, grounding me.

I push open the locker room door, already shaking off the weight of the morning. It's time to focus. Time to train. Time to be the version of myself that I actually recognize.

The low hum of conversation echoes through the space, a mix of laughter and the occasional swear as players get ready. I take a deep breath.

Then I spot Luke.

He's sitting on one of the benches, taping his wrists, his head tilted slightly as he listens to someone talk across the room. His expression is relaxed, easy, like he doesn't have a single worry in the world. When he finally notices me, his lips twitch into a smirk.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," he drawls.

I scoff, dropping my bag onto the bench beside him. "What, did you miss me or something?"

Luke lets out a dramatic sigh. "You know, I try to enjoy the peace and quiet, but then you walk in and ruin it."

I snort, shaking my head as I start pulling my cleats out of my bag. "Yeah, I'm sure it was real peaceful in here."

He grins. "Oh, you have no idea. I was just about to take a nap."

"Right, because Coach definitely wouldn't rip you a new one for that."

Luke shrugs. "Hey, if I can get a ten-minute power nap in before he walks in, that's a win."

I shake my head, laughing.

He leans back against the lockers, studying me for a second. "You good?"

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. "Yeah. Just ready to get on the field."

He watches me for a beat longer, like he's trying to decide if he believes me. H lets it go with a simple nod. "Good. We need you in top form. Got a game coming up."

Before I can respond, the locker room door swings open, and Coach strides in, his usual no-nonsense energy filling the space instantly.

"Alright, enough sitting around," he calls out, clapping his hands together. "We've got work to do. Everyone, get your asses on the field. We've got a game in a few days, and if you play like you did last practice, we're gonna get embarrassed out there."

A few guys groan, but everyone starts moving, grabbing their gear and heading out.

Luke nudges my shoulder. "Guess nap time's over."

I smirk. "Guess so."

With that, we make our way to the field, ready to put in the work.