Page 174 of The Play Maker

I groan and hide my face in the crook of his neck. “It’s stupid.”

He chuckles. “Try me.”

“I panicked,” I admit. “You asked me for my name, and I didn’t know what to tell you. And I looked around my dorm and my eyes landed on my cherry Chapstick.”

He chuckles, his chest shaking against mine.

“Shut up,” I mumble, trying to bury myself under the blanket.

He drags it back down and shoots me a grin. “I love it. It’s very you. Sweet, delicious, and the sexiest fruit ever.”

I shoot him a look. “Don’t act like yours was better. Six?”

“Mine was fucking excellent,” he declares, puffing out his chest. “Six-string-guitar, baby.”

I blink up at him. “Wow. I didn’t even make the connection.”

He chuckles, nudging his nose against mine. “I thought you were smarter than that, Freckles.”

I roll my eyes. “You were the last person I thought it could be.”

His laughter dies down as his hand slides up to cup my cheek. “Were you disappointed?” he asks. “To find out it was me.”

I look at him for a long second and then shake my head. “No.”

His eyes soften and his shoulders drop in relief.

“Six was—you—were there for me when no one else was. When I felt lonely, and had no one… I had you. But then I startedto fall for you, and Six at the same time that…” I shake my head. “I started to feel guilty when things got serious between us, because I didn’t want to let go of that connection we had, even if it was just through a screen.”

His thumb brushes over my cheekbone and I glance up at him. “Finding out it was you was confusing and unexpected.” He stiffens slightly at that. “But also the best moment of my life, because the two people I had fallen for were right here in front of me, and I didn’t have to choose. I could have both.” I lift my hand and place it on his chest, right over his heart. “I could have you.”

He rubs his thumb over my cheek, leans in and kisses me. “I felt so fucking guilty,” he whispers against my lips. “Because I wanted both of you. I wanted Cherry’s words. And I wanted you. I didn’t know they were the same person.” He pulls back just enough to look me in the eyes. “I didn’t know you were right fucking here.” He cups my face, his fingers brushing just beneath my jaw. “You were right here,” he repeats, like he still can’t believe it.

He sighs, dragging his hand through his hair. “How the hell did I not notice you before?” he murmurs, mostly to himself.

I tug the blanket higher. “No one did. I was invisible.”

He frowns, like it physically pains him to hear that.

“I should’ve noticed you,” he says, a pained expression in his eyes. “I should’ve seen you. I should’ve dropped to my knees the second you walked into class Freshman year and begged you to love me.”

My stomach flutters from his words.

He brushes a strand of hair off my cheek, his thumb lingering there. “You came out of the blue,” he says, shaking his head. “I never could have seen you coming. You’re the last thing I ever expected and the best.” He smiles and the way he’s looking atme makes the breath in my chest disappear. “You’re everything I didn’t know I wanted.”

I blink fast, fighting the burn behind my eyes.

“Thank you,” he says, and he says it like it’s the most serious thing in the world, “for agreeing to tutor me.”

I smile, feeling my lower lip wobble. “Thank you for loving me.”

His smile widens. “Easiest thing I’ve done in my life.”

We lie there for a minute, just holding each other, our legs tangled under the sheet, his hand resting over my ribs.

“Do you want to grab some breakfast?” he asks eventually.

“I wish,” I say. “I have to go to the rink soon.”