SWNOVELS Chapter Playing Offsides: Epilogue
Six months later
Standing in August’s dining room, I stare across the room, my eyes trained on Aspen as she sits and talks with Poppy and Isla. We’ve been spending a lot more time with them and honestly, it has been amazing. I finally understand where August and Logan have been coming from this entire time.
I never imagined that I would be committed and tied down to someone the way they were. That was before I found Aspen and before I fell in love with her. Now, I can’t imagine a life without her and I never want to spend a day knowing what it feels like after loving her like this.
We’ve all been having weekly dinners together, but since August and Poppy are still adjusting to life with a baby, we’ve been coming to their place a lot more often. And alternating with Logan and Isla as far as cooking dinner. Anything we can do to take the pressure off August’s and Poppy’s shoulders.
It was a huge adjustment for them, bringing a baby into the world. August ended up missing our championship game of the season and it surprised the hell out of me when he didn’t even care. We won without him and it didn’t affect him one bit because he was completely consumed by Poppy and baby Everett.
Slowly lifting my bottle of beer to my lips, I tip it back as I take a sip, watching as Poppy hands Everett to Aspen. She looks like a natural as she cradles him in her arms like that’s exactly where he belongs. Not necessarily him, but a baby.
Our baby.
Seeing her like this gets me every fucking time. We never approached the conversation before, but I want all of this with Aspen. I’m envious of August’s life, even though I got the girl of my dreams. It isn’t enough because I want more with her.
“She has a way with kids, doesn’t she?” August says softly as he steps up beside me. I glance over at him, noting the smile on his lips as he watches my girlfriend holding his baby boy. “When are you gonna wife her up, bro?”
“Yeah, what are you waiting for?” Logan chimes in as he comes and stands with the two of us. “I’ve gotta be honest, I still can’t believe that you’re actually in a serious relationship. Like, who the hell would have been able to predict this?”
“Fuck off,” I mumble, laughing lightly as I bump my shoulder into his. “I just hadn’t found the right girl, until Aspen came into my life.”
And isn’t that the fucking truth.
It isn’t long before Poppy announces that she needs to get Everett into bed and we all take that as our cue to leave. Aspen hands him back over to her and we all say our goodbyes before parting ways for the night. Logan and Isla slip out before us, heading down the hall to their own separate apartment.
Aspen and I ended up getting a place of our own and it’s only two blocks away from where Logan and August both live. I considered moving into the same building, but I like my space from the guys now. Especially when I have Aspen who is occupying most of my time.
As we walk out to my car, the night sky is clear with stars sprinkled above us and the moon shining brightly. The air is warm against my skin as we walk hand in hand together. Walking over to the passenger-side door, I pull it open for Aspen and she climbs inside. I close it shut behind her and round the front of the car until I’m climbing into my seat.
Pulling out onto the road, I start heading in the opposite direction of our apartment. Aspen glances over at me, her eyes on the side of my face as she stares at me in curiosity.
“Where are we going?”
Glancing over at her, a smile forms on my lips. “I want to take you somewhere and show you something.”
“Okay,” she says softly, not asking any more questions. That’s one of the things I love about Aspen. She is always down for whatever adventure I want to take her on. And I’m ready to take her on an adventure that is going to last a lifetime.
We drive down the main road, turning off of it onto a back road. It winds through the forest, climbing higher and higher until we reach the top of the cliff. Pulling off on the side of the road, I kill the engine and climb out without saying a word to Aspen. She’s already getting out when I reach her and doesn’t hesitate to slip her hand into mine.
I lead her through a small patch of trees until we reach a clearing that looks over the lake down below. It’s somewhere the guys and I always come during the winter to shoot pucks when we can’t get on the ice at campus.
“What did you want to show me?”
Pointing out at the lake, I look over at her. “This is one of my favorite places. I love it here in the winter, being down there when the lake is frozen and just being in my element with a stick and a puck. But up here is even better. The view of the water below, and if you look up, it’s dark enough that you can see every single star in the night sky.”
Aspen looks out over the lake before tilting her head back to look up at the stars. “It’s absolutely beautiful out here,” she breathes, taking in the wonderment of the world beyond us. I’m lost in her and I can’t tear my eyes away from her beautiful face.
“It’s fucking breathtaking… just like you.”
Aspen turns her head to look at me, a soft smile on her lips as her eyes stare through me, deep into my soul. “Thank you for sharing this with me. It’s amazing and really makes you realize just how small we are in this world.”
“That’s not the only thing I want to share with you.”
She tilts her head to the side, her eyes widening as I turn to face her, taking both of her hands in mine as I drop down onto one knee in front of her. Aspen takes her hands away from mine, clasping them over her mouth as tears fill her eyes.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a small black velvet box. Holding it out to her, I flip open the lid, showing her the diamond ring inside.
“I want to share everything with you, Aspen Rossi. The entire world, the rest of my life. I never want to spend a moment without you and I want you forever, baby. You’ve become the most important thing to me and I want you to be my wife. To have my babies and share a life with me.”
“Cameron…” she chokes out, my name sounding like a sweet melody on her tongue.
“I want to build a future with you. Every fucking part of it. Seeing you with August and Poppy’s baby… I want that with you too. I want to watch your stomach grow with our children growing inside you. Share the rest of this life with me, baby, and all of the ones to come after this.”
“Of course, I want that with you, Cam,” she admits, her voice cracking around her words as the tears spill down her cheeks. “You are my future. And I want nothing more than to build a life and a family with you. If that’s not in my future, I don’t even want it. You’re the love of my life and we were made for each other.”
“You possess my heart and my soul, Aspen.” A smile forms on my lips, my own tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she breathes, a soft laugh falling from her lips as the tears continue to fall. “Oh my god, yes!”
Putting out my hand for her, she drops her palm into mine as I take the ring from the velvet box and slide it over her ring finger. Aspen doesn’t even bother looking at it, instead she drops to her knees in front of me and wraps her arms around the back of my neck. Cupping her cheeks, I bring her face to mine.
“I love you so much, Aspen. And I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
“I love you, Cameron,” she whispers, a smile forming on her lips as they brush against mine. “I can’t wait to be your wife and for our future together.”
“Aspen Sawyer,” I murmur against her lips, a smile taking over them. “I like the way that sounds.”
Aspen laughs softly and I swallow her sounds as I claim her lips with mine. What started out as just a simple arrangement as friends with benefits transformed into something that I never would have imagined happening.
And now that we’re here… I can’t imagine my life without her.
Without the girl who will soon be my wife.