“It’s her foot. Her saddle bone,” Coach says, rubbing my back.
“Okay, let’s get her up.” Two of the medics hoist me up, keeping my bad foot suspended in air.
“Did we hit?” I sniffle, my arms around each of the medics.
“You did.” Hunter’s voice, coming from behind, immediately blankets me in comfort. “It was the best performance I’ve ever seen, Livvie. You came here, and you killed it.”
I let out a little giggle. “At the expense of my career. Great. I’m sure Gracie will be thrilled.”
Coach smiles as the medics walk me off the mat. “I don’t think you need to worry too much about that.”
Mom, Dad, Elle, and Brandon rush up to our group. “Liv! Are you okay, sweetie? What happened?” Mom rubs my arm, concern etched onto her face.
“I’m okay. It’s my foot.”
“Your foot? Can you walk? Is it broken? What happened?” My mom grabs the arm of one medic, more questions exploding out of her mouth at the speed of machine gun bullets. The rest of my family hangs back with Coach, their voices low. My heart sinks. She’s probably telling them how my chance to claim the ESPN spot just went up in smoke.
Gracie is pacing as I’m carried past. “Liv,” she twists her hands around, her eyes in every direction but in mine. “I really hope you’re okay. I didn’t want to see anything happen to you. I’m so sorry."
I hold up my hand. “Don’t worry about it. Just do me one favor - go out there and rock it. If we’re gonna win today, I want to make sure we don’t get that trophy by default. Got it?”
She grins at me and gives me a little salute. “You bet we will.”
Cori kisses her middle finger and blows it to Gracie. “See ya later at awards.”
Gracie kisses her palm and smacks her backside before running past us onto the mat.
“Great display of sportsmanship, Cori.” Hunter chuckles and sits in a chair next to the gurney I’ve just been laid onto. He laces his fingers with mine as one of the medics examines my foot.
“You’re going to need an X-ray. Do you want to go to the hospital now or wait?”
I bite my lower lip and look at Coach. “I’m not going anywhere yet. I’m here for the team. When we win, I want to be up there to get that trophy with everyone.”
“That’s not all you’re going to want to be present for.”
My head snaps up, locking eyes with the owner of the intruding voice. It belongs to a leggy blonde in a tight red dress wearing heels so high, my toes curl. They click on the concrete as she saunters toward the gurney. She sticks out her hand and flashes a bright smile. “Stacey Gellar. I’m the head recruiter for the acro-tumbling exhibition team at ESPN.”
I gasp and clutch her hand. “L-Liv Larson,” I whisper.
A row of perfectly straight white teeth is revealed. “I know who you are, Liv. We’ve had our eyes on you for a while, just waiting for the chance to pull you into the ESPN family.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out this time.” My eyes drop. A jumble of tears is caught in my throat. She’s probably back here out of courtesy, just to make sure I’m okay. It’s just a formality. She’ll probably wish me luck in the future, maybe offer some feedback. The lump in my throat grows as the seconds creep past.
“For who? You mean, all of the other cheerleaders who were competing for this spot?” Stacey’s grin widens. “Because they’re the ones you should feel sorry for.”
I furrow my brows. “I don’t understand.”
“The spot is yours, Liv. That’s why I’m here.”
“B-but, I collapsed at the end. I’m injured. How can you—?”
“You went out there and owned that mat. You led your team and never once hesitated even though you were in pain. You were strong, secure, and focused. That’s the type of woman we want at ESPN. Someone who isn’t afraid, someone who keeps her eye on the prize, someone who puts the team first. I saw you cheering them on throughout the routine. Your excitement was contagious. Your teammates felt it, the audience felt it, and so did the judges’ panel.”
“Oh my God,” I whisper. Hunter brings my hand to his lips and squeezes. “So, it’s really…me?”
Stacey nods. “It is. And we’re very excited to make the announcement at the awards ceremony if you can hang in there a little bit longer.”
“B-but what if I need surgery or something? What if I need recovery time?” I shake my head. “What if I can’t be what you need me to be?”
The medic who just finished wrapping my foot shakes his head. “I’m no doctor, but a saddle bone injury just requires rest of the foot for a few weeks. Should be good as new within a month.”
“We have the most highly regarded sports medicine doctors and physical therapists at our disposal. You will get the best care and treatment available, and you will continue your career as an all-star.” Stacey reaches out and squeezes my free hand. “So, what do you think? Are you ready to join our team?”
“Oh my God, yes!”
A loud whoop escapes my mother’s mouth and she hugs Stacey. “Thank you so much! This is her dream!”
Stacey giggles and hugs my mom back. “Believe me, ESPN couldn’t be happier. We’re very lucky to have found your daughter.”
The noise level behind my private curtain just went from so silent you could hear a pin drop to absolute mayhem. I graze my foot, now tightly wrapped.
“A month-long rest, huh?” Hunter smooths back a few stray hairs that escaped my ponytail. “Any ideas about how we can fill the time?” He murmurs that last part, and his words are laced with such promise that my heart rate spikes with anticipation.
“I have a few.”
His warm lips graze mine for a chaste kiss since my family is still only a few feet away from us. Luckily, everyone is more focused on my ESPN career at this moment. Hunter caresses the back of my neck, and delicious shivers shoot down my arms to my fingertips. Even though we’re still in the middle of cheer chaos right now, I don’t care. The excited chatter, the laughter, the elevated voices…all of it fades into the background. In my little bubble, Hunter and I are the only ones who exist. His is the only voice I hear, the only spell that captures me.
For so long, I’d been afraid of losing everything important to me – my career, my best friend.
It may be tempting to cower, but taking that leap, not knowing if you’ll land on your feet or crash and burn…it’s so worth the risk.
My fingers lace with Hunter’s, and I lay my head on his shoulder, expelling a deep sigh. His arm tightens around my waist and his lips nuzzle my ear. “I love you, Livvie.”
Little tingles dance across my skin as his soft breath flutters against my cheek. I think my heart may just burst out of my chest, it’s so full. I want to scream, I want to sing, I want to dance…well, the dancing part may have to wait, but everything else is fair game. This feeling…the elation, excitement, and gratitude for everything amazing in my life…this is having it all.
And God, I never want to lose it.
Hunter
I never knew there were ninety different types of lilies. And you know what? I still managed to live life, reveling in my apparent ignorance.
“Hunter, you’re rolling your eyes now, but pretty soon you’ll be listening to the same stuff.” Elle snickers and rubs her hand up and down Brandon’s arm. Seriously, the guy has to be some kind of saint. I mean he went wedding shoe shopping without a single complaint, for Pete’s sake.
“I’ll deal with it when it happens.” My iPhone buzzes with a text, and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s from my new assistant, Jase. Eager to learn and all over my schedule like white on rice, this guy was a find. In the past, I’d have opted for a bleached blonde, but things are different now. Perfect, amazing, fantastic…all the things guys should never say unless they’re being held prisoner inside of a sappy romance novel. But it’s how I really feel, which still shocks the heck out of me, months later.
With graduation looming, Liv had been
getting antsy. What if her foot acted up again and she couldn’t compete? What if she didn’t get the ESPN spot? What would she do? How would she deal with me being away all summer and making plans to expand Rising Star into the fall when schools across the country are back in session?
I told her over and over that if she didn’t get the spot she could always come and work with me. It was meant to be a joke, but without the punch line, it kinda fell flat. I learned my lesson the first time I opened my big mouth, and never mentioned it again. But she kept worrying and working herself too hard.
And today, watching her compete, leading her team to a certain victory, I’ve never been so proud of the girl I love. I can feel her energy and excitement, and it’s contagious. She’s one of those performers who loves what she does and has so much fun with it, spectators can’t help but fall in love with her, too.
I knew she’d get the spot. I banked on her getting it, and I arranged my schedule so that I’d practically be in ESPN’s backyard for the month of July. A little surprise I’d been working on, which Jase just confirmed.
And it’s not the only surprise I have in store for her.
“Tell me you’re not going to be one of those ambivalent grooms who doesn’t want to get involved in the planning and leaves all the heavy lifting up to my baby sister. Because she deserves way better than that, especially from the guy who waited a heck of a long time to finally admit to his feelings.”
Brandon gives her a gentle nudge. “Babe, why the hostility? You’re getting on his case about something that isn’t even happening yet.”
Elle narrows her eyes at me. “I just want to make sure he’s thinking about it. And you’d better not wait another twelve years to make that move, Hunter.”
I sit back in the plastic folding chair and let out a little groan. My back is killing me after all these hours of waiting and watching the teams compete. Awards for this competition are almost finished, and then our night will finally begin. “Relax, Elle. We have all the time in the world.”
I slide a hand into my pocket and fiddle with the small velvet box.
And timing, as they say, is everything.
Epilogue
Liv
I fluff out my hair one last time and pucker my bright red lips in the mirror. Elle left about ten minutes ago with her curling iron. Sometimes a girl needs her own personal stylist, especially since said girl barely knows the difference between an eyeliner and an eyebrow pencil.
My hair looks like spun gold cascading down my back. Elle highlighted my eyes with cool tones that make them pop against my skin, and my dress? I’ve never felt so giddy about an article of clothing, and it’s more than the way I look in it that excites me. It’s the way Hunter will react that really gets my blood pumping.
I’ll be honest, I don’t love the idea of pairing this fabulous frock with the semi-orthopedic looking flat I’m wearing on one foot and the atrocious black boot shielding my bad one. A smile plays about my lips. Something tells me Hunter won’t even notice.
A loud knock startles me and I take one last look at myself before flitting toward the door. I pull it open to find Hunter’s eyes behind a big bouquet of lilies.
“Six different kinds of the ninety in existence.” He grins and holds out the vase. “I know that now, thanks to your sister, Bridezilla.”
“They’re beautiful,” I squeal and take the arrangement from him. “Thank you so much!”
“They have nothing on you, Livvie.” He lets out a low whistle. “You look stunning.”
I place the vase on the desk and twirl around once, so he can get the full impact. I manage to be somewhat graceful, despite my challenged footwear. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Like is an understatement.”
I giggle and look at the clock on the nightstand. “Oh, shoot. We’re going to be late if we don’t get going soon.”
“Just hang on.” Hunter tugs at my hand. “Since I have to share you with your family for the foreseeable future, I deserve a few minutes of having you all to myself.”
I cock my head to the side and trail my fingertips down his freshly-shaven face. “Ooh, and what did you have in mind for these few stolen moments? Are we talking really juicy stuff?”
“Funny you should say that.” Hunter smirks and guides my body down to the edge of the bed.
“You’re making me sit?” I knit my brows together. “You’re kind of weirding me out right now, Hunter.”
“Just wait.” He brushes his lips against my hand and pulls out a tiny red velvet box from his pocket.
Is that a ring box? Oh my God, it’s a ring box! My best friend is standing in front of me with a ring. Are we ready for this? We’re so not ready for this! But despite the thoughts that ricochet between my temples, the spoken words evade me. My mouth is bone-dry, and even if I had syllables to utter, no sounds could possibly form. I swallow hard, I cough, anything to make my mouth start working again. “Hunter, I—" My voice rasps, barely audible, and good thing because I don’t even know what more to say.
He leans closer, almost hovering over me. His grin widens, deepening that lone dimple. I want to melt. I want to hurl. Talk about conflicting emotions. I’m a ball of stress, and he hasn’t even flipped open that box. “Livvie, I never thought I’d give something like this to anyone, but it’s you. It’s us. And I think it’s perfect.”
“Holy cow, Hunter. Are you proposing?” I blurt out the words, now that my mouth has finally decided to kick it into high gear.
He blinks, silent as he regards my petrified look. Seconds creep past, and I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction. Any reaction will do. I am certain he can hear my heart hammering against my ribcage. Blood rushes between my ears, drowning out all of the panicked thoughts my mind can muster. And then I see it… a faint twinkle in the depths of his gold-flecked green eyes. It’s like a tiny spark with a promise to ignite. Except I’m not prepared for the roar of laughter that erupts from deep within his chest when he drops to his knees in front of me.
“Babe.” He grasps my hand tightly, his shoulders quaking from the chuckles that have yet to subside. “Why don’t you just open the box?”
My fingers fumble with the top, shaking as I lift it open. I let out a loud gasp, followed by a giggle that ripples through me like a rising ocean wave. The sparking facets make me coo like a baby. “It’s a strawberry.”
Hunter nods and pulls the large ruby strawberry ring out of the box. He holds it up in front of me, the light reflecting off of the emerald leaves. A shiver runs through me as he slides it onto my empty left ring finger. “I had it custom-made just for you. The happiest memory I have of my childhood is meeting you, Livvie. And to think we celebrated the beginning of our friendship with the very thing that could have put me six feet under if it hadn’t been for your quick thinking. You always took care of me, even when I was too stupid to appreciate it. I know how crazy you are about these death fruits, and this is the most perfect representation of my love for you. I am giving you the very thing that can destroy me if you’re not careful with it. My heart, in the form of a strawberry.”
Tears gather in the corners of my eyes as I stare down at the gleaming gems sitting atop my finger. “Hunter, I love you so much, and this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” I sniff and let out a tiny giggle. “You know, you totally sounded like one of my romance novel heroes just then.”
“If it pleases the lady…” He takes my hands and pulls me off the bed before wrapping his arms around me. I breathe in his spicy scent, heat pooling in my belly, and the butterflies take flight once again. I hope - no, I know - they won’t ever stay still for too long. Not with Hunter by my side. “So, are you sure you can handle life without strawberries?”
I tap a finger to my cheek and pretend to consider my answer. “I guess I’ll just have to indulge while I’m at cheer camp this summer.”
His lips brush against my ear. “Don’t get any bright ideas.” Warm breath heats my sensitized skin a
s his mouth slowly travels the slopes of my neck.
I’m so enraptured by the fantasies looping through my mind courtesy of his deviant mouth that I almost miss the comment. “What do you mean?” My head falls backward, and I give him full access to tease and taunt me some more before we have to grab an Uber to the restaurant.
“I made a few arrangements that have me in Tempe through July. Just a town over from your ESPN digs,” he murmurs.
My head snaps forward. “Are you serious?” I throw my arms around his neck. “You’re really going to be down there with me?”
“Once I got a taste of you, Livvie, I knew I was done. There is no way I can be away from you all summer. I need you with me, next to me, anywhere I am.” He smirks. “Forever, you got that?”
I nod, biting my lower lip to keep it from quivering. If I turn into a blubbering mess and ruin my makeup, Elle will murder me first, ask questions later. “Yeah, I’ve got it, Strawberry Shortcake. You, me, and our collection of Epi Pens. I can’t imagine a more perfect ending to our story.”
THE END
About the Author
Savannah Carey is the sweet alter ago of a USA Today bestselling author who believes that not all happily ever afters need to be accompanied by R-ratings. Romance in its truest form is pure, blissful, and full of excitement and anticipation, so Savannah decided to write stories that focus on the ooey-gooey deliciousness of new love, the yummy stuff that makes us swoon and makes the butterflies in our bellies swarm. Her alter ego will handle the rest!
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