The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football)(86)

“Did you see the pamphlet back there? It said that Walt Disney was inspired by this castle,” I say, trying to keep conversation light as we make the climb up to the end.

“Seems as though Walt was inspired by a lot in Germany.”

“It’s beautiful. I can see why.”

“Is this your first time out of the country?” he asks me.

“The first time leaving North America. I’ve been to Canada a few times. What about you?”

“We’ve been to a few tropical places,” he answers casually, downplaying his childhood.

“How many?” I tug on his hand.

“Uh, just a few.”

I laugh. “Trying to downplay your rich parents?”

“No.” He chuckles. “I’ve never been to Europe, which I feel is weird, given I’ve been to Bora Bora.”

“Ah, yes, so odd.”

He pulls at me and I laugh. “We had different childhoods, but our summers were always the same, and that’s what’s important.”

“It is. And I’m glad our summers were the same.”

“Me, too. Don’t get me wrong, I liked going on trips with my parents, but I always looked forward to going to the farm, to spending time with Pops and, most importantly, spending time with you.”

“You’re just saying that so you get some action tonight,” I tease.

“Yup,” he says, causing me to spin toward him, mouth open in shock. He laughs and pulls me into a hug while tilting my chin up and placing a kiss on my lips. “You have an amazing pussy—what can I say? I’m addicted.”

“Oh my God, Crew.”

“It’s a compliment.”

I push at him and he just holds me tighter.

“You know I’m kidding. You have a phenomenal pussy.”

I push away from him and he laughs even more, taking my hand again as we make our way up the driveway.

It’s steep at times and I’m puffing, but Crew takes it slow with me, despite his athletic prowess and long stride.

We pause halfway up and have someone take a picture of us from an angle, so the castle is in the background. It’s a beautiful shot and one that I make Crew send me right away. I save it to my phone as my wallpaper.

“Committing me to your phone wallpaper? That’s a big move,” Crew says.

I pause, embarrassment washing over me. “Oh, is that weird?”

He holds up his phone and shows me a picture of me and him, cuddled in close, taking a selfie. The picture was taken when we were in Augsburg. “Nah, I think it’s cute. Makes me think you actually like me.”

“You know I do.”

We continue our trek, and when we finally reach the base of the castle, it’s overwhelming. The walls seem endless, allowing us only the view of the very tops of the turrets.

“This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” I say, studying the strong walls and the grand expanse of the castle. All the work that must have gone into this without modern machinery. It’s impressive and hard for me to comprehend.

“Look at that archway over there,” Crew says. “Want to see where it takes us?”

“Are we allowed to go over there?” I ask.

“Yeah, we’re just not allowed inside since we didn’t buy tickets.”

“Okay.”

I follow Crew through the archway and we slip into a small courtyard. When we look up, the castle comes into better view. The ground is made of stone, making it uneven in spots, and all I can think about is how heels would not be the shoe of choice here. There’s a stone staircase to the right that leads up to an austere door, and to the left is a covered balcony that looks over the courtyard.

I point to the balcony and say, “Do you think that was made so the owner could speak to his servants from above? Maybe his knights.”

“Possibly. It looks lavish enough to be something so ostentatious.”

“Do you think all the rulers were assholes, or do you think there were some good ones out there? Ones that appreciated the people around them, and the people beneath them?”

“I think there were good people. You always have to trust that there are good people out there in the world, and even if the bad people have louder mouths, the good people have bigger hearts. And those hearts will outweigh the mouths.”

I snuggle in closer to Crew. “That was really profound. I’ve never thought about it like that.”

“I have my moments.” He points to the staircase. “Want to take a seat and read the last letter?”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for it,” I answer.

“I don’t think I am either, but we have to bring this to an end at some point.”

“I know.”

We head over to the stairs and we both take a seat. The chill of the stair breaks right through my leggings and turns my butt cold. But I don’t say anything, because when I look up, I realize this is the perfect view. The mountains and snow-covered pines as a backdrop, the sun highlighting the opulent stone, spreading warmth over the rather cold surface. This is where our trip ends.

Right here.

In this moment.

Crew pulls out the letter from his coat pocket and he opens it up.

“Do you think we can read it to ourselves?” I ask, looking at the people around us. It’s not crowded, but we’re not alone. either.