Page 31 of Love Game
“Never apologize for defending me,” he says, meeting my eyes fiercely. “Just… channel that anger.” He waves his hand with its icy-blue painted nails in a vague way.
“Yes, Captain,” I say.
He gives me the sweetest smile and I’m right back in that giddynew boyfriendzone. I can’t believe that after all this time and all our years of ignoring each other, Alex is actually mine. The other team’s behavior is a reminder that not everyone is going to be as cool with us as Alex’s mum and even my family. Even so,living without him doesn’t seem like the easy path anymore. He glances across at the opposing team with a determined frown on his pretty lips. It hits me like a freight train just how much I need him. Not having him in my life would be torture.
“Want to try something daring?” I whisper.
His dark eyes flash at me. “Always.”
I cup his chin in my hand, preparing for a kiss, and wait to see if he’s onboard. His smile grows. He stands on tiptoe and plunges in, full tongue and everything, winding his arms around my neck, his tennis racket almost hitting me in his enthusiasm. Fuck the guys at the other side of the court: I take my time, enjoying the kiss like Alex and I are alone. Like I should’ve done seven years ago under the mistletoe. When we finally pull apart,the other team are staring at us like they’re seeing things. Alex giggles.
“I think we shocked them,” he says.
“Good.”
They’re still staring at us, but they don’t say a word, looking totally flabbergasted. I ignore them; there’s something I need to say to Alex. It might be too soon, but we’ve wasted enough time apart. I screw up my courage.
“I love you, Alex,” I whisper. “I always have.”
His eyes widen with surprise. But he doesn’t hesitate.
“I love you too,” he says.
His brown eyes get so soft as he stares up at me. He gives an adorable little nod, squaring his shoulders and gripping his racket tighter, and I know he’s trying to hold back tears. He starts to stride over to his playing position, doing a decent job of looking normal to the other team. But I know him too well. His suppressed joy radiates over the whole court.
“Are you ready to play?” our dark-haired opponent says, looking grouchy and uncomfortable.
“Ready,” Alex yells happily.
He turns to me and winks. And I already know that we’re going to win this match. I’m not usually one to decide that after the very first game; anything can happen on the tennis court. But right now, after we’ve just declared love? Alex and I can’t lose. Together, we’re unstoppable.
THE END
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