Playmaker, p.28
Playmaker, page 28
The breath whooshes from my lungs. If it wasn’t for his hands coming out to steady me, I might fall over from the admission.
“I don’t deserve it, but if you give me another chance, you won’t regret it. I’ll never break your heart again.”
I laugh, and it’s such a bad moment to do it, but I can’t help myself.
Cameron seems concerned. “I can’t tell if you laughing is a good or a bad thing.”
“I’m sorry,” I say with another giggle. Tears are threatening to spill but I hold them back when I add, “It’s just funny that you think I would ever be able to say no to you.”
Finally, that arrogant grin I used to hate appears on his face, and I decide I never want it to disappear again. I want it to stay put forever.
“Is that a yes, then? You’ll give me another shot?”
I hook my arms around his neck and he lifts me off the ground so my legs can wrap around his waist. It’s a little awkward with my walking boot, but the extra weight doesn’t seem to faze him. In his arms, I feel whole, and right now, I realize it was useless for him to ask me where I wanted to live after college. The truth is, anywhere he goes, I’ll gladly follow because home isn’t a place. It’s with him.
“I love you, Cameron Holden. Always have, always will.”
His cheeky grin grows wider before he kisses me, and like the heavens above want to get in on the celebration, a beam of sunlight hits us both, encasing us in a blanket of warmth. The locket around my neck shimmers, and Cameron pulls away to squint into the sky. I’m not sure what happened in the past twenty-four hours to give him this revelation, but the acceptance that he seems to have fills me with joy.
In the long run, it doesn’t matter what made him get to this point.
I’m just glad he did.
—
Two hours later we’re on the interstate, my suitcases packed in the back of Cameron’s car. The windows are rolled down, whipping my curls in all directions, and Cameron has one hand on the steering wheel, the other on my thigh. After explaining more about the conversation with his dad, Cameron told me he’s not flying out until later tonight so they can spend some much needed time together, so I’m grateful he wanted to take the time to drive me to the airport.
A long-distance relationship is going to be an entirely different battle, but with the love we have for one another, I’m confident we can make it work. We’ve gone through far worse than distance, and if anything, we’ve proved we can overcome it.
I turn to admire the profile of my insanely hot boyfriend. His jaw is working overtime chewing gum, and his sunglasses make him look sexier than usual. His thumb strokes my thigh in calming, happy patterns, and the sky remains a bright blue with no clouds in sight.
Our future may still have uncertainties, but today?
Today is a good day, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
That’s why, when Cameron leans over to switch on the radio, I allow the country music to play at full blast.
Acknowledgments
WE FINALLY MADE IT!
It’d take an entirely new book to explain my gratitude, so I’ll attempt to keep this short.
To those who have followed me since the beginning on Wattpad or to those who have just discovered my books, thank you! I wouldn’t be where I am today without your continuous support. It took a lot of courage to put my words out for the world to see. Wattpad is one thing, but branching out into the publishing world is a different beast to tackle.
To my parents—thank you for always believing I could do this. I’d never be here without your words of encouragement and reassurance when things didn’t pan out the way I wanted. You taught me to get back up and try again, and I will forever be grateful.
To my husband—thank you for being a book boyfriend/husband brought to life. Where would my books be if I didn’t have your constant insight into college football rules and regulations? All jokes aside, you’re my best friend, partner in crime, and my biggest supporter. I love you. Thank you.
To Uncle Gene—thank you for buying me my first copy of Publishers Marketplace and encouraging me to submit my stories. I hope I can make your dream of attending a red carpet premiere one day come true!
To Casey and Silver—thank you for reading anything I write and for rooting for me every step of the way. When I need to discuss a chapter or fangirl over a scene, you both are right there to hype me up. I’m lucky to have both of you by my side, and my writing wouldn’t be where it is today without you.
To Rebecca and Emily—thank you for keeping me sane these past few years throughout the writing process and for listening to me vent ten times a month (not really, but kind of?). Although we live thousands of miles apart, I will always hold our friendship close to my heart. Thank you for putting up with my nonsense!
To my high-school English teacher, Ms. DeSain—thank you for noticing my talent before I did and introducing me to Romeo and Juliet, which made me fall in love with romance. You have made an impact on my life forever, and you were BORN to teach. Thank you for being you.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to Deanna and Fiona for guiding me throughout this process and helping me turn this book into a better version than it was before. I value your insight more than you’ll ever know!
If you enjoyed this book, rating it on Goodreads and Amazon helps me immensely as a first-time author. Follow me on Instagram for more updates on sequels (hint-hint), new releases, and more!
Love always,
Deanna <3
About the Author
Deanna Faison is a twenty-eight-year-old romance author residing in Clayton, North Carolina, where she writes from home full-time. If she’s not hunched over her laptop creating bad boy heartthrobs and independent female leads, she’s likely chasing her Marvel-obsessed four-year-old around the house or cheering on the Baltimore Ravens with her husband. One day, she hopes to travel around the world so she can meet the readers who have made her success possible.
An imprint of Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group
Copyright © 2024 Deanna Faison
All rights reserved.
No portion of this may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of the copyright holders.
Published in Canada by Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, a division of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Inc.
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First W by Wattpad Books edition: October 2024
ISBN 978-1-99834-108-5 (Trade Paper original)
ISBN 978-1-99834-109-2 (eBook edition)
Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric intent, is coincidental.
Wattpad Books, W by Wattpad Books, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Wattpad and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wattpad Corp.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication information is available upon request.
Printed and bound in Canada
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Cover illustration by Dylan Bonner
Typesetting by Delaney Anderson
Author photo by Deanna Faison
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Deanna Faison, Playmaker
