Page 145 of The Surprise Play

He’s right. That card is filled with ink. I wrote down everything I love about him, and his expression is telling me it was worth it.

I even found the courage to write,With all my love, at the bottom, which is the closest toI love youthat I’ve managed to get.

I stared at those words until my vision blurred, wondering if I should have put them, but as Wily’s lips twitch, then he looks up at me and lets that smile grow, I know I’ve done the right thing.

“Thanks for being the most amazing boyfriend,” I whisper.

He drops to his knees in front of me, resting his large hands on my legs and giving them a gentle squeeze. “It’s easy when you’re the best girlfriend a guy could ask for.”

Oh my gosh, he makes it so easy to love him.

Cupping his cheek, I give him a tender kiss, then ask if I can buy him a Valentine’s Day coffee.

He’s nice enough to let me, and we take our sweet time, walking to Java Jeans and back again.

I keep my eye out for Jade but don’t spot her or Kelsey or Viper Girl. It helps me relax, and all I can hope is that they don’t lavish my man with flirtatious invitations all day, using Valentine’s as an excuse to try and lure him into whatever trap they no doubt have planned.

This week, I’ve only spotted them once but was far enough away to turn the corner and avoid them before they saw me.

I’ve subtly tried to ask Wily if he’s seen Jade, but he only mentioned that she sat next to him in class on Wednesday and it was really annoying, because she kept passing him notes and he was trying to concentrate. In the end, he stopped reading them and made a concerted effort to ignore her.

“Think it pissed her off some, but I’m trying to graduate here.”

That one little sentence made my week, but I’m still nervous about what she might try. I wouldn’t put it past her to jump into his arms and start dry humping him. It’d be a desperate move on her part, but I’m sure she’s scheming something, and I’m on edge waiting to find out what it is.

“So, I’ll pick you up right after your last class. I’ve arranged with Coach to skip practice today so we can hit the road early.”

My eyes bulge. Practices are sacred in Wily’s world, and he’s trying to get out of one? “Are you sure that’s okay?”

He nods. “When I explained why, Coach said it was cool. My training and prep for the Scouting Combine is on track, so I can skip a practice.”

I grin up at him. “That’s so sweet that you’d do that for me. I know how important football is to you.”

“You’re important to me, too, baby.” He winks and smiles down at me. “And when I told him it was your birthday, he caved in a heartbeat. The guy’s a deep-down romantic, I swear.”

“Lucky me.”

His smile grows as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. Kissing the top of my head as we saunter along, he starts telling me how excited he is to meet my parents.

“Really?” I glance up, worry starting to niggle at me.

I’ve been so distracted by Jade this week that I haven’t really had time to think about the fact that Wily is gonna be meeting my family. But now that the hour is nearly upon us, I’m starting to stress.

“They’re your parents. Of course I’m excited.”

“But…” I stop, tugging on his coat and guiding him to face me.

“But what, baby?” He brushes his knuckle down my face. “What are you worried about?”

“I’m just… They’re probably very different to your parents.”

He gives me an expectant nod, silently encouraging me to keep going.

“They’re… older. Like, my dad turned sixty-six just after Christmas. I’m their miracle baby. The one they never thought they could have, so… I was a late arrival. I mean, Mom was forty-three when she had me.”

“Okay.”

“And… they’re small-town and not very chic or… anything. They’re very into their routine and?—”