In the Fast Lane (Fast Series Book 1) (27 page)

“You have to do more than need me, Dalton.”

“I’m lost here, Jessi. What am I supposed to say? I don’t know what else I can do to make you see that I will do anything for you.”

“You have to love me, you stupid ass!” Jessi screamed at him from across the counter.

Dalton froze and looked right at her. His heart soared, because damn it, he knew exactly what to do to fix this. He put on his best smile and started to walk around the counter. Jessi started to back away. She looked scared, tired, and completely ready to just give up.
Hold on, sweetheart
.
Just give me one more second, and then you can rest
.

“I have to love you, huh? Jessi, how can you be so unaware? I risked my career—my second and last shot to make something of myself in swimming—to be with you. You know me. You know no matter what bullshit I throw out there, to win gold was the most important thing in my life. When you hit that wall, I did that. And you know what? I was vindicated. I’d finally won through you. I was part of that gold and not because I swam on some fucking relay, but because I worked with you side by side for weeks. So yeah, I was vindicated. But more than that—way, way more than that—I was so fucking proud of you. I sat in those stands and cheered like you were my goddamn grandkid. I squealed, Jessi—no shit. And I did not give one good goddamned fuck what anybody thought because that was my girl out there. That was my old woman whooping up on a bunch of pretentious little whippersnappers.”

He needed to hurry now because she was going to lunge at him if he didn’t. He wasn’t worried though, because he still had the ace up his sleeve. “That was the woman I love having the moment of her life and looking so fucking beautiful doing it.”

Jessi stopped her forward progression and stared at him. She didn’t move a muscle. It started to get a little eerie, and Dalton was worried he’d messed up again.

“Dalton, if you are just saying that, I swear to God...”

“Oh, sweet baby Jesus, woman, just come here.” He grabbed her up and kissed her hard.

She gave it to him right back.

He gently pulled her back. “I love you,” he whispered, then set back in to kissing her. It was the best feeling in the world. He knew what it was to love Jessi. He knew what it was to lose her, and, thank God, now he knew what it was like to get her back, keep her by his side.

His hand found the back of her neck, and he pulled her even closer to him. She pushed her body up against his, and they started stumbling toward something to lie down on. Dalton broke the kiss. “Where’s your bedroom, Grizzly Adams?”

“Funny.” She grabbed his hand and turned on her heel to lead him up the stairs.

Jessi’s room surprised Dalton. It had white sheetrock trimmed in light-colored, hand-carved worn wood with a huge, matching canopy bed. Etchings of vines and leaves crept up the posts. Gauzy material hung from the canopy. Fluffy pillows and a white down comforter covered the bed.

“Now this is a bed to have a hangover in,” Dalton said.

“Oh, you aren’t resting, Coach.” Jessi pushed him back on the bed and started to crawl over him.

He quickly grabbed the back of her neck again and cradled her with his other arm while he flipped her over. Laying himself down on top of her, he looked into her beautiful eyes and softly said, “Jessi Pruitt, I love you. I hate the way you came into my life, but I’m not sorry for it anymore because it brought you to me. I know I got here in all the wrong ways, but, baby, I’m here, and I’ll stay as long as you want me.”

“Then you’d better get comfortable.” Jessi brought her head up to kiss him.

Dalton took the hint and stopped talking. He lowered himself completely on top of her as, without words, they told each other everything they needed to know.

Later that night, Dalton woke up alone. He panicked at first until he heard the soft sounds of music coming from the kitchen below. He could smell food as well. He looked out the window and stared at the pink of the evening sky. They’d spent the rest of the afternoon in bed, and at some point, fallen asleep together.

He smiled as he thought of all the crap she’d had to eat while she was training. By the smell of things, Jessi had thrown herself off the wagon. Dalton’s mouth started to water, and he figured he’d better go down and help her with things. Who knew? Maybe she was up for a little nookie on the kitchen island.

He smiled and started to rise. Then the last of the dying light sparked on something bright. He looked down next to him where Jessi had been lying. Right there, in the middle of the pristine white sheets, was a gold medal. Dalton’s breath caught. He didn’t need to know which race it came from. It was the medal from her one-hundred yard butterfly. Her signature stroke. Next to it was a note.

Dalton,

I won my first medal by myself with the sheer will of a teenager who didn’t know enough to be afraid of the competition. I won the rest because of my training, my coaches, and my parents. This time, I didn’t stand a chance. The people who had raised me up before weren’t enough anymore. I was done. There was no way I could have won this if you hadn’t stumbled back into my life. When I swim, it’s just me and the water. No one else. But when I swam for this, all I thought about was you.

I thought about how hard you pushed me, how mad you made me, and how proud of me you’d be if I won. Even though I thought I was losing you, I wanted to win this for you. I heard your voice as I pushed off the wall for that last fifty and something broke free. I couldn’t feel tired, old, or afraid. All I could feel was how much I loved you and how this would be yours. So here it is.

I love you,

Jessi

P.S. Don’t try to give it back. I have enough already.

Dalton choked out a laugh at that last statement, wiped his suspiciously damp and blurry eyes, and folded the letter. He picked up the medal and gave it a quick kiss. Then he went downstairs, wrapped his arms around the woman he loved, kissed her neck, and helped her make dinner. He’d never felt so at peace in his life.

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