I refused to get out of the car. No one could make me if I didn't want to. If only Scott left the keys with me as he went in search for Fin, but he knew I would've left immediately. I didn't want to be here; I didn't want to see Joshua. I couldn't see him. He was already on my mind all the time. I didn't want him to be in front of me.

Maybe I could run away.

I started unbuckling when someone rapped on my window with their knuckles. I looked up to see the disappointed face of my best. I fumbled with the seatbelt, trying to buckle back up before she could drag me out.

"Grace! Stop struggling!"

So, she was trying to drag me out. Scott stood off to the side, cracking up. Somehow, the seatbelt was wrapped around my arm that was, in turn, shoving Finlay out of the car. I kicked with my legs, and she groaned.

"I am not getting out of this car!"

She grabbed my arm and pulled very hard. I cried out in pain which allowed her to pull me out. I landed on the ground with a groan and a wince. But I scrambled up, racing around her. I whooped as she cursed. I knew I could get away from her. But Scott was more of a challenge. He was bigger and faster, but I was nimble on my feet. I glanced behind me, triumphant that I passed both of them in a matter of seconds.

"I thought you hated running."

The only thing that could stop me in my tracks was Joshua. He was looking at me with a slight frown, yet his eyes looked happy to see me. I stopped myself before I could run into him. I wanted that more than anything in the world, but I couldn't do it.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, stepping closer to me.

I took a step back and felt a body behind me. "Fin, get outta here," I muttered, shoving her away. I turned back to Joshua, and I said, "Fin and my brother forced me to come here."

"Why?"

"I don't know." I had a feeling about why they brought me here, but I wasn't going to say anything. I wouldn't get my hopes up ever again.

"We need to talk, Grace."

"Don't you have to run?" I asked, gesturing to the track.

"Not yet."

I sighed, nodding. I didn't want to talk, but my mouth started spilling already. "I wanted to say I was sorry," I said softly. "I -"

"Joshua! Grace!"

I turned around to see Jamie, Patrick, and another guy walking toward us. We stood slightly apart from each other, but he acted like we were still on talking terms. I had no idea why they were here, and I didn't want them to be here. But if they gave me time to actually figure out what I was going to say to him.

"Hey guys," Joshua said, waving slightly to his sister. "Grace, that brooding guy is my brother, Jack."

I nodded, waving to him. I didn't laugh at the slight dig, though, like I normally would. I barely acknowledged it.

Jack stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you," he said, shaking my hand.

"Now that we're all together," Jamie said, glancing at her husband, "we have some news."

Joshua and I glanced at each other before he stared at her expectantly. He said, "What is it?"

"We're pregnant."

Joshua let out a yelp, his eyes staring at his sister's stomach. Jack even looked shocked, his eyes wide. I tried to smile, but that just confirmed my fears. I wasn't meant for love like she was.

"Are you serious?" Joshua asked, his mouth wide open.

Jamie handed him a slender thing, and it fell out of his hands. He launched himself at Jamie, wrapping her in a hug. She giggled, her face bright.

"I'm going to be an uncle!" Joshua yelled, letting go of his sister. Joshua got down on his knees and pressed his hands to Jamie's stomach. "Hello, darling," he said directly to her stomach. "I can't wait for you to come. You're going to have the best life with Uncle Josh."

"Josh, are you really talking to the baby?" Jamie asked, laughing.

"Of course!" Joshua said, looking up at his sister. "This baby is going to be so loved. I can't believe it, Jamie."

He stood up and hugged his sister again. She whispered something to him, making him glance at me. I looked away from him, trying to figure out how to get away from them politely.

"Guys, you can go sit with my brother and best friend," I said to them. "They're waiting near the bleachers." I waved at Fin, and she waved back. "Joshua and I have to talk."

"Thanks," Jamie said.

"You're welcome."

Leaving us alone, Joshua faced me again. He looked a little happier now that he saw his siblings. But his eyes dimmed when they focused on mine. I could barely hold his gaze because of how beautiful his eyes were. How much they brought back memories that I really wanted to forget.

I pressed my lips together, trying to figure out how to make it better. Because standing with him here was what I always wanted. I wanted to be someone's person, someone who treated me right. And Joshua did exactly that.

"I'm sorry," we both said at the same time.

I stared at him, unsure of why he would be sorry. "Excuse me?" I asked. "You're sorry? I'm the one who kissed someone else! And I kept it from you! You found it out by the dude who kissed me. Joshua -"

For some reason only God knew, he kissed me with such fervor. Right in the parking lot. My hands gripped his shirt, and I pressed my body against his. I missed this so much. I missed him so much.

"King!"

I pulled away from him, completely breathless. "Why'd you do that?"

"I'll be back. Please don't leave."

And he jogged off, leaving me alone. I stood there and touched my lips.

"What in the world just happened?"

My eyes found Finlay standing in front of me. I was still out of it because of the kiss so I shrugged. My mind was fuzzy.

"Did he just kiss you?"

"Yeah."

"You look like you're going to pass out."

"I'm confused. And happy. But mainly confused."

"What did he mean by that?" she asked, frowning. "What did you guys even talk about?"

"All we said was that we both were sorry."

She took me by the arm and led me to stand beside the bleachers. A shot rang through the air, announcing the start of the track meet. But I wasn't watching. I didn't want to look at Joshua because I needed to catch my breath.

Finlay commented, "He's really fast."

I peaked over Finlay's shoulder to see Joshua sprinting faster than any of the other runners. "He's one of the best on the team," I said. "He should be fast."

He ran past the finish line and the whole side of Sutton High School erupted in cheers. It was so loud and exciting that I had to turn away.

"He must've won it for us," I said softly. "Good for him."

But he didn't stop running.

"Is he coming here?" Finlay asked.

"It looks like it," I said, eyes wide. He really meant it when he said to stay.

"I will leave you two alone," Finlay said, stepping away from us.

His breaths were labored when he stopped running in front of me. He leaned down, trying to catch his breath. His hair was plastered against the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I had to run but I'm here now."

He looked at me, and I couldn't read his expression. I wanted so badly to read his expression.

"I know that I hurt you, and I don't blame you for staying away from me forever," I said, shrugging. "I would too."

What surprised me next was Joshua laughing. "Who says I'm leaving you? I told you I would never leave, Grace."

I stared at him, unsure of what I heard. He couldn't have possibly wanted me after what I did. "Why would you stay with me? I kissed another guy and -"

He pressed his lips against mine again, shutting me up. But I pulled away, saying, "Why are you doing this?"

"Who do you choose?" he asked.

Over his shoulder, I saw Drew. He didn't look mad; he just nodded to me as if he knew who I was choosing. And I would continue to choose Joshua for the rest of my life. "I know I'm late to the game, but I'm here. And I know who I choose." I paused for a second as he waited with baited breath. "I choose you. As long as you will take me back, that is."

"Of course," he breathed out. "I can't forget about you, Grace. It did hurt, but it hurt worse when I thought about leaving you. I forgive you."

"Why?"

"I love you, Rebecca Wilson," he said, using my first name. And for the first time, it sounded so good to hear. "You said to forgive the people you love, right? This is my first step in learning to forgive." I smiled a real, full smile. That felt so good to hear. I hoped I would be hearing it for the rest of my life. He continued, saying, "I have been waiting my whole life for you."

"Me too," I whispered, allowing myself to finally be happy. "I have been waiting for you for so long. I have been waiting for someone to be my person. No one else's, just mine."

"What are you saying?"

"I love you, too." I locked eyes with him and said, "I love you."

He kissed me and it felt like I was home. A cheer erupted behind us, but we ignored it. I couldn't help but grin against his lips. He pulled away and smiled as well.

"I think Finlay started that applause," I whispered.

"Everyone watched me run to you," he whispered back. "I think they're already invested in our love."

I kissed him quickly again before hugging him. "I love you too," he whispered and my heart soared. He then whispered in my ear, "I think we should fight before every track meet."

I pulled away, laughing. "Are you serious?"

"That was the fastest I've ever run!" he said, smiling. "My anger fueled it."

"I am not fighting with you before every game," I said, giggling.

"I thought I'd try," he said, laughing.

I looked at the beautiful boy in front of me, thanking God for providing such a great person for me. God really did love me. His blessings overpowered the bad. And I was so thankful for that.