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My stomach twists. Aidan keeps telling me he doesn’t care if we win, but I hope we do. Plus, the scholarship money would be really handy right now.
College is downright expensive. I’ve had to apply for loans, and my landlords extended me a part-time position updating their website and social media accounts. I’m able to work on the weekends so it doesn’t impact my classes, and it’s just enough money to pay for food and the occasional treat now and then.
This money, though, would help me feel more secure. However, we weren’t the best at the relationship game we competed in last weekend, much to the crowd’s amusement. I have to admit, it was pretty hilarious.
I reach over to grab Aidan’s hand, and he squeezes mine.
“And the winner is…” She pauses for good measure, staring out at all the tables. “Clint Barbery and Natalie Simmons!”
Despite the drop in my stomach, I applaud the defensive player and his girlfriend. They totally kicked everyone’s ass in the relationship game. When they walk up to the stage to accept their mock crowns, Aidan leans over, still clapping. “Rigged.”
I laugh, shaking my head. He always knows how to make me feel better. “Maybe if you knew what my favorite color was, we wouldn’t have lost.”
“Maybe if you knew I preferred sweet pickles to dill, we wouldn’t have lost.” He tugs me close, his lips brushing against my ear. “They should’ve asked us the important stuff. Like, do I think my very real, never fake girlfriend is wearing leggings under her dress? Yes, yes I do.”
I nibble on his ear playfully while at the same time pulling up my dress so he can see he’s right. “Plus, the sneakers.”
“Always with the sneakers now.”
“Well, I never know when I’m going to need to run to you.”
His eyes switch from amusement to sincerity. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Bailey Covington, and we’ll figure this out.”
I’m sure my eyes say the same back because the love I have for him threads through my very being—and I never want it to stop. “Does that mean we can peace out and go to Oral Rock?”
His body locks up. “Troublemaker.”
“I think I have some more to-dos to cross off my list.”
“I thought we gave up public lewdness.” He turns when his teammate starts to give a hilarious acceptance speech.
A rolled-up piece of paper lands in front of him, though, catching his attention. We peer around to see West and Kenna at the table next to us trying not to lose it.
Aidan opens the paper and stifles a laugh. In big block letters reads:LOSERS.
I grab a pen from my purse and give it to Aidan who scribbles out,Right back at ya, bitches.
He crumples the paper again and tosses it. The misshapen wad soars through the air and lands directly on West’s dinner plate. He and Kenna open it, already laughing.
West flips us off while pretending to scratch his cheek.
There are strangers, friends, acquaintances, and loves. There are people you’ll go out of your way for and there are people you won’t. I’m so happy I learned who my people are.
Clint’s speech ends, and Aidan leans over, capturing my lips in a chaste kiss before he says, “Meet me in the bathroom in ten. We can’t let our table sponsors down, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring Oral Rock here…in private.”
I squeeze my thighs together in response to his words. He gets up, walking away casually, and I watch him go with my heart full.
I don’t know why my mom is so worried about my future when I couldn’t be more sure that it’s going to be spectacular. It’ll be everything I’ve dreamed of. Built with love and freedom, we’ll bond everything together with laughter and the butterflies he still gives me with one look.
No, I’m not worried about my future at all.