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He shrugs the shoulder that’s holding up his gym bag. “It’s my last semester here. Season’s almost over. We’re undefeated. Only person whose opinion I care about is yours. Everyone elsecan think what they want.” Sending me a small smirk, he adds, “Feel free to let go, babyface.”

“You kidding? I finally get to know what it’s like to walk through campus holding hands with the cutest boy in school. I might never let go.”

“Cutest?” Rowan shows me those teeth, cheeks looking about as pink as mine feel. “Look in a fucking mirror.”

“Only if you’re standing next to me.”

Rowan tightens his smile the way he does when he’s flustered, but he asked for this. Submerged in the foot traffic milling through campus, I reach my mouth to Rowan’s temple and smooch him there, giving him just what he ordered.

That grin comes back to Rowan’s face in the form of a sudden laugh. “Alright, gay boy. I think they get the picture.”

Ah, but I don’t care about whoever may or may not be noticing our PDA. I’m too giddy to care. After such a rough and emotionally taxing few days for the both of us, I realize just how important it is not to squander the love I’ve earned. That passionate, protective love Erica said doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s happening to me. How could I dare to shove that in a box?

“I love you,” I tell him, loud enough I’m sure he’ll hear it over the surrounding chatter.

“Love you too.”

Rowan doesn’t let go—and I sure as hell don’t—until we’re at his locker, and we break off so I can head to mine. Other than a few cat-call whistles from our more immature teammates, no one says shit to us until Connor comes up behind Rowan and asks if he’s feeling alright.

From my locker, I just make out Rowan’s answer. “Had a mean stomach bug from some bad chicken, but I’m good now.”

Can’t miss Levi’s obnoxious voice calling out, “Hope lover boy did a good job nursing you back to health, man, ‘cause this match on Saturday is gonna be a dog.”

Lover boy?It’s better than “butt buddy,” so I won’t complain.

“You getting nervous on me?” Rowan asks.

“Like hell! I’m more worried if those cameras are gonna catch my good side.” He swings an arm around Rowan and says, “Just got one more question, Cap.”

“What’s that?” Rowan asks passively, focused on digging his gear out of his locker.

“You’re gonna make me Best Man at the wedding, right? ‘Cause, if it weren’t for me knocking lover boy out with that high kick, y’all wouldn’t have had your little meet-cute in the middle of McKinley Park.”

“Our littlewhat?”

“Just letting you know, man,” Levi says, patting Rowan on the shoulder, “I look fire in a navy tux.”

“Noted.” Rowan’s eyes roll so wide they land on me, and I swear to God, he’s blushing.

After practice, I take Rowan to his treasured salad joint and watch him go ham on a bowl of spring mix and grilled chicken. If I didn’t have work later, I’d take him for ice cream. Maybe a movie. I just don’t want to leave him. I’m scared to leave him, like dropping him off at his and going on my way is akin to giving up on him. To losing him.

Get a grip, Tommy.

“Hey.” I stop Rowan before he can hop out of my truck in front of his place. “You gonna be okay? I can come back tonight.”

“You don’t need to babysit me anymore,” he says with a somber smile. “I won’t do anything stupid. I promise.”

Slipping my hand behind his head, I tell him, “As soon as you fill out that paperwork, I’m gonna take you to the courthouse.”

He’s silent for a few beats, searching my eyes. “Love you, baby boy.”

“Love you too.”

One lingering kiss and a promise to text me later is all I get before he’s dropping out of my truck and heading up the driveway to that padlocked gate.

Like a lovesick puppy, I already miss him, but I’ve got to get home to change clothes for my shift that starts in less than an hour.

Pulling up to the house, I’m too busy calculating if I’ve got enough time for a second lunch to notice there’s a man standing at the curb, staring at the house. An odd feeling comes to me when I’m halfway up my front stoop. It makes me turn around, tip my head to the guy, and ask wassup.