Page 80 of The Roommate Game

No, tell me.

Gus sent a confused face emoji.The rink.

I arrived a few minutes later, shaky and unsure. I’d eaten a protein bar on the drive, so at least I wasn’t starving on top of being rattled.

The campus was almost deserted. There were no students crowding the sidewalks, no bustle of activity in the quad, and only a handful of cars in the parking lot at the rink.

I inclined my chin in absent greeting to the woman behind the reception desk and headed inside, down the stairs, pausing when I spotted the lone figure with a hockey stick on the ice, shooting pucks into the goal. My chest heaved as a rogue wave of emotion hit me.

And when he turned and smiled, an ugly sob escaped. I was just glad he was too far to hear it.

Do not lose your shit, Rafe. Do. Not.

Gus skated over and stepped onto the mat, holding his stick like a staff. That smile grew…and grew, like sunshine spilling through a window after a string of cloudy days.

“Hey, what are you?—”

“What did you do?” I cut in, my lips pressed together.

Gus narrowed his eyes. “Uh…I don’t know. Gimme a hint.”

“Syracuse. The club.”

“Oh. O-kay…”

“You sponsored me. You did it.” I stabbed my finger into his chest accusingly, my breath hitching.

“I…yeah, I did.”

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. I’d been prepared for denial or a cavalier brush-off or a gentle reminder that he had money to spend however he wanted. But the tender expression with the glint of misery in his gaze rocked me to the core. I didn’t know if I was angry or grateful or if I’d used this newfound knowledge as an excuse to see him once more because no matter what other dreams came true, life without Gus Langley was fucking awful.

“Why? Why did you do it?”

“I—”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” My voice didn’t just crack, it broke.

“Hey…” His expression was tender, consoling…and a little helpless.

“Why?”

“Because I…I love you.”

I was stunned into silence. “Love?”

Gus wrinkled his nose and glanced away for a moment. “I didn’t mean to fire that off at you. I get that it doesn’t change anything, but…I do love you. And if I can help you in any way, I hope you’ll let me.”

“I don’t want your money.” I smacked his chest, quickly losing control of my emotions.

He didn’t flinch. “I get that, but it’s my grandfather’s dough, and he was an amazing guy. He liked to reward greatness and invest in people who were especially talented. Trust me, he’d approve. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I—whatever, I don’thave an excuse. I just want you to have whatever you need, Rafe. That’s all.”

“I needyou,” I rasped.

“Rafe…”

“Don’t you get it? I love you, too. I love you. You don’t get to tell me you’re not enough for me. You don’t!”

“You…”