Say I do

chapter 18

"I see that you had a wonderful night." Tiff murmured when Lia snuck back into the room at nine in the morning. She felt sore from the night before and Jonny woke her up twice so that he could make love to her. She probably had enough s*x to match the newlywed's honeymoon.

She had showered in Jonny's room and if you count them washing themselves before he had her bent over with him entering her from behind as showering, she was definitely clean. Lia had to wonder where he got all this stamina from as the guy's she's known were done by the first round.

When they had eventually waken up that morning at seven, after the shower had them falling back asleep, he asked her what he really wanted to ask her last night.

She woke up to Jonny holding her in his arms and he was staring at her like she was an angel who had fallen from heaven and landed in his lap. "Good Morning." He whispered and gave her a kiss that brought a smile to her face. "Now that I have your attention." He began, but she felt his naked body against hers. They hadn't bothered to put clothes on after the shower.

Lia looked at him expectantly, wondering what he was going to say. "So, it's not exactly a secret that I like you. And you like me. Do you want to make this work?" The way that Lia felt in her body screamed yes, but there was a voice in her head saying no.

"You mean as in long distance? I still live in Louisiana and still have at least another year left." She told him. She may have feelings for him but geographically, how was it supposed to work? He traveled a lot for his work as well.

Jonny thought about it hard, there is the off season and we can see each other holidays. I mean we can really make it work if we wanted to. I want to give it a try before we shoot things down." He told her and she didn't have it in her to disagree.

Did she really want to make it work with Jonny and try long distance. Hell, she didn't even know if it would work if they saw each other everyday and in person let alone at a distance.

But she felt that she really did like Jonny to want to try. "And if we don't work out?" She asked him, the idea hurting a lot more than it should.

He looked past her and she felt that he was deep in thought when he said, "If it happens to not work out, well we're adults. As close as our families are, we don't have to see each other. I do hope that if we don't work out, we can still be friends at the least. I just want it to work out."

Lia looked at him and really looked at him. What did she have to lose really? A broken heart. She swallowed hard and said, "How much longer are you here?" She had about a few more days left before they took off back to school. "I'm here for another week."

"Take me out on a date, and then I'll be able to give you an answer." Lia told him and he smiled at her. "What do you want to do?"

Lia rolled her eyes at him and said, "That's the point. Surprise me, woo me." He pulled her closer to him and gave her a kiss and then nibbled on the corner of her shoulder which he knew was a sensitive spot of hers.

He promised her that they would go on a date and that he was picking her up the next day. Right now, they were going to be late for the goodbye brunch that everyone should be at to bid farewell to the newlyweds.

That caused Lia to sneak into her own room the next morning, if she could say was the closest thing she did to the walk of shame but she wouldn't call it a shame. Jonny knew what he was doing to her body and she loved it.

***

It had been three months now since Lia had returned back to Louisiana. Her classes were tough and it was taking a lot of her attention. Especially since this is supposed to be her last year and any class that she was failing would put her behind schedule.

Jonny was currently in Canada and she hadn't spoken to him in a few days. She wondered if he was doing alright. As soon as they left home, she decided to take him up on dating long distance. The first month was difficult, especially with her semester restarting.

Last she spoke with Jonny, the team that he was currently on contract with had just won their last game and they were becoming quite popular. Which in turn meant that they were traveling more frequently, in turn meant that she would be seeing them less.

When she had the chance, she went to see him and he came to visit her. They went out on dates, have hot s*x, and then eventually say their goodbyes. Lately, she felt a little indifferent about him. No longer did the excitement waiting for his phone calls or texts make her feel the need to be at its side twenty-four seven.

Sure, she liked him but the distance was starting to get to her. Especially the stress from school was putting a weight on her shoulders and the fact that she couldn't be there where he was to support him at all his games.

Yet as soon as they see each other, it's almost as if they were fighting with their emotions and Lia felt that she needed him and he was everything to her. She felt so strongly about him. Could this be love?

She mentally shook her head. She thought she loved Ben and look what happened. He married Felicity and she let go of the idea that she was in love with him. That didn't hide the fact that she did love Ben, he was the epitome of her childhood love. Now as an adult, did she have the worth to say that she had a love for Jonny?

Her phone chimed and she glanced at the mobile. Speak of the devil.

You should be getting a package soon. Jonny's text had her wondering if he knew that she was thinking about him. It was only a few minutes later when a knock at her door had her turning. She got up from the minuscule dining table and opened the door. At the bottom of her feet was a package addressed to her.

Lia opened the package after scanning the label and shook its content taking it to the table. Jonny did say that she should be expecting something. She took a knife and opened the package. On top was a small envelope and she put that to the side. At the bottom of the box was a jersey that she pulled up.

It was the team that Jonny was on, his number and name on the back of the jersey. She smiled and held it close. It smelled like him surprisingly and it wasn't the smell of sweat. It was her favorite cologne that he wore that reminded her of him.

She then opened the envelope and found tickets along with tickets for a flight to come see him in Jersey.

The date for the game was for the weekend before the midterms and she wasn't sure if she was planning on making it. Did you get it yet? Jonny texted her and she replied back to him. I love it! But, I'm not sure if I can make it to the game. I really need to study.

He replied back with, I know, but just in case you were wanting to come cheer for me. I know you have a lot of school going on but I really want to see you.

Lia held the phone and stared at it closely. She really couldn't see him without failing her midterms. But she also really really wanted to see him considering he got her all the gifts. I'll let you know.

The game was in two weeks and she could do all the homework and tests online. But could she miss a few classes here and there? How much would she bring her grade down if she didn't do some of the material required?

It was two days before the game and she felt the uneasiness inside of her when she was ready to text Jonny. It was unrealistic to want to be there for him. At this point in time, she needed him to understand that she couldn't just up and leave. Her phone started to chime and she looked at the caller ID.

She pressed the answer icon and said, "Hey."

His deep voice gave her chills as he replied back. "I miss you." Lia lied on the bed and turned her face into the pillow. "I miss you too." She replied, half mumbling into the pillow and into her phone.

"What are you doing right now?" He asked. She turned to stare at her ceiling. "Just laying here, finished some homework. How about you?"

"Are you able to make it to the game?"

Lia stayed quiet as she was so tempted to say yes. "I'm taking that as a 'no,' look don't worry about it. I understand." He breathed into the phone and Lia closed her eyes shut feeling something inside of her drop to her stomach. Lately it seemed like a lot of their conversations usually held disappointment.

"I'm sorry, I want to but right now is just too difficult." She had said and felt his disappointment through the phone.

There was a quietness on both lines as no one said anything but she could still hear background noises from his end. "What are you doing?" She asked when a whole two minutes passed.

"I figured that's what you were going to say. You should get another package at the door right now." As soon as he said that there was a knock at the door. "How do you do that, do you check the tracking every second?" She asked getting up from the bed to grab the package.

There was another knock and she yelled, "Coming!" Hoping that the carrier could hear her. "Something like that." Jonny said. She made it to the door, angling the phone in a way to balance between her ear and shoulder. Opening the door, she found her package. Her large package.

"Omg..." Was all Lia said when she saw Jonny standing on the other side of the door. He smiled the smile that brought butterflies and tingly feelings into her stomach. "Hi." He greeted her and dropped his phone into his pocket.