Page 112 of Fighting Fate

"I love you," I breathe out.

His smile feels like a tender touch against my skin, and I come to the realization that tonight has surpassed every hope and expectation I ever had.

Have you ever surfed on a crest of euphoria so exhilarating you wished never to come down? That was me, last night, as Milli's "I love you's" washed over me like a relentless, joyful tide.

She loves me. It's surreal, and as I gaze at her this morning, her dreams fluttering behind closed eyelids, strawberry blonde strands caressing her face, I vow to cling to this high. Her bare skin whispers secrets under the covers, and I'm lost in this moment.

Her eyes flutter open, a lazy, affectionate smile playing on her lips. "Watching me sleep, Sunshine?" she murmurs.

I gently brush her hair aside. "Problem, Mills?"

Her gaze, hazy and perfect, locks with mine, and it feels like home.

"Yeah, but I did my fair share of watching too," she admits, laughter in her voice, remembering how long it took for us to calm down, to let sleep take us. I tickle her, rejoicing in her laughter, in the lightness she brings to my world on a day like today.

Today's Panthers' Day. The day my whole year revolves around, the day scouts come hunting for talent. Usually, it's a day that weighs on me, but with Milli in my arms, all that pressure seems trivial.

"Creeping on me, Mills?" I joke.

She stretches, an adorable yawn escaping her. "Takes one to know one," she retorts, her laughter fills the room, a sound I've missed amidst the stress of the past months. I carefully pin her down, tickling her more, her protests mixing with giggles.

When we finally settle, breathless, I feel like the fucking luckiest guy alive. My phone buzzes, intrusive and untimely.

"Your other booty call?" Milli teases. I tickle her in mock retaliation.

"No need. I've got one right here." Her pretend shock quickly transforms into that bold, confident expression I have come to love.

As much as I want to know what last night meant to us both or where it's leading, this feeling, this moment with Milli, I don't want to question it. Not now. With college, football, and MCAT prep all demanding my attention, I'll have time later to navigate this. For now, I'm content to take it one step at a time, just as I've always done in life.

Checking the time, it's only 5:30 am. That's barely five hours of sleep, but every moment was worth it. Every second with Milli is worth it.

Pussy Panthers

Cam

It's game day, fuckers.

Gunner

Hell yeah it is!!

Devon

Game time, boys.

Luke

Easy now. Some of us are still charging up.

I shake my head, knowing Luke's antics all too well. His text from last night didn't surprise me—he wasn't coming home, which, in Luke's world, meant another adventurous night out. He often jokes about his "good luck rituals" that include being deep inside some random female.

I quickly type a reply, eager not to miss any more seconds with Milli.

Miles

Go back to bed.

Cam