Page 77 of Resisting the Fall

The sound of Ben’s chuckle was far too satisfying.

A renewed cheering sent our attention back to the field. Ben removed his hand from my back to join in the clapping as the team gathered to celebrate their victory, and I tried not to let my disappointment take hold. I shouldn’t be missing his touch. Nostalgia was to blame—the last-minute victory, the chill in the air that made it feel like fall, and being with so many of my favorite people in a place I loved.

“Speaking of our time together, should we grab you some real food after this?”

“Since when are snack shack nachos not real food?”

“You gave more than half of them to Carson.”

“No need to sound bitter. I offered them to you first.”

Ben sent me a smile that caused a kaleidoscope of butterflies to rush through me. “So, what do you say? Burgers from the Maple Bar? Then we can watch that Seven Brothers movie at my place.”

“How about burgers and watching the movie at my mom’s?” Where we wouldn’t be alone, just the two of us, with my weak resolve. And honestly, with the way Ben was acting, nostalgia was also getting the better of him. It was best to keep it safe. And chaperoned.

With all the people gathered for Thanksgiving at my parents’ house, I constantly searched out Maven any time she wasn’t at my side. I apparently needed to drink in every moment with her so I could make it through the next stretch of drought until she came back. Not that we had much longer to go. After this current semester ended, there were only three more, and then she’d be back in Autumn Ridge for good. I could make it through anything with that as my goalpost. Her gaze caught mine from across the room, and she smiled. “I love you,” she mouthed.

My smile grew tenfold, and Jaxon leaned toward me. “Do you think she intended that for me or for you?”

I glanced over at my younger brother. “It’s honestly a toss-up.”

Jaxon’s grin was all sorts of going-into-my-senior-year cocky. “She did say I was looking handsome earlier.” He flexed and gave a small lift of his chin. “I’d encourage you to keep your eyes on her, but considering you haven’t taken them off her all afternoon, it seems like you already understand the threat I pose.”

“That’s a lot of confidence for someone who got his butt whooped at the Turkey Bowl this morning.”

“You, Tate, and Carson all on the same team? How is that even fair?”

“It’s fair because you were the other team’s captain. You could have picked anyone, but you stuck to your football buddies.”

“I couldn’t not pick them.”

“Hey, you.” Maven stepped up to my side and slid her hands around my waist in a way that sent a wave of warmth through me.

I slung an arm over her shoulder and sent Jaxon a pointed look, which only caused him to flex one arm again.

Her gaze was still on me. “Want to take a walk before dessert is served?”

“With how stuffed I am, I’m not sure how far I’ll make it.”

Jaxon sent me a smirk. “I’ll take a walk with you, Maven.”

I pushed him away. “I’ll grab our coats.”

Maven laughed, and I was sure Jaxon was already thinking how to use the fact against me later. I helped Maven put on her coat and threw on my own before we slipped into the chilly November air. We started up the dirt road behind our house that divided our property from the neighboring one. It was stick season in Vermont, so besides the evergreens, the trees were bare. The white trunks of the birch trees sat stark against the wooded backdrop.

We chatted as we walked, Maven’s hand clasped in mine. When we came to a small clearing that overlooked the farm, Maven led me to a downed log, and we sat there, listening to the wind blowing through the trees and the occasional sound of a bird.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Maven said, a puff of air coming from her mouth. “And peaceful.”

It really was. And more so because Maven was in my arms.

“Are we still on your family’s land?” she asked, mindlessly running her fingers over the callouses on my hands.

“Yeah. My dad considered selling this portion since the terrain isn’t farmable, but I convinced him not to because there’s good lumber up here.”

Maven glanced around. “Maybe we should buy it from him. Then we could build a house with a wraparound porch and a wooden bench swing that looks over this.” She gestured to the view. “And we can fill the whole thing with babies.”

I stilled, trying not to put too much stock into her comment. “Is that what you’d want?”