Page 46

Greyson

I’m jealous.

Ther e’s no other words for it. Seeing her with her hand on that guy’s arm, laughing at what he’s saying with tears streaming down her eyes, causes rage to build up inside me.

Surely he’s not that funny.

My jaw clenches at the sight, and it feels like a punch to the gut.

I understand catching feelings for someone you’re “fake” dating is stupid, especially when she clearly doesn’t feel the same way. But I kinda hoped she did feel the same way I did.

All I wanted to do was march over there, stake my claim on her, and punch that fucking dick in the face for just breathing near her. But I couldn’t, not without crossing a line that wasn’t even meant to be crossed to begin with.

So instead, I stand here glaring daggers into his head, feeling completely and utterly helpless.

She laughs loud, her head tilting back and I try to focus on the logical part of my brain—the part that tells me I have no right to be jealous. But logic has no place here. My growing feelings toward Lilly were real, even if our relationship wasn’t.

The guy looks up, clearly feeling my intense burn into his skull, and then he leans in closer to Lilly, whispering something in her ear, with his eyes still locked to mine.

My fists clench and unclench at my sides, trying to calm myself so I don’t lose my shit.

She suddenly looks up, her smile growing brighter as she spots me. My breath catches in my throat as I watch her run toward me. She grins as she jumps into my arms, her legs wrap around my waist, and then she presses her lips to mine.

I’m taken aback at first, but then I grip her tighter, deepening the kiss. My eyes squint open just a sliver to see if that fucker is looking at us, and shock horror…he is! I grin into the kiss, gripping her ass, and making her moan into my mouth.

A sudden possessiveness came over me when I saw her not only laughing with him, but touching him. I wanted the fucker to know that she was mine . I wanted her to know that she was mine. I wanted everyone in this fucking bar to know she was mine.

When I find something I like—or in this case, someone—I get sentimental. It’s probably because I didn’t have much growing up, so I learnt to cherish even the smallest things. And with her, it’s the same.

She’s become this beacon of light in my life, something precious that I don’t ever want to lose. Every laugh, every smile directed my way—hell, every moment we spend together is like a gift, and this little voice in my head tells me to cherish her the most. To protect her, to love her. She’s someone who ’s made my life brighter by just being in it.

The kiss breaks, and I lean my forehead against hers, my breath coming out in heavy gasps.

“I done it!” She suddenly exclaims, a huge grin plastering her face.

“Done what, baby?” I ask, my own lips lifting into a smile.

Whenever I see her happy, it automatically causes me to be happy too. And seeing her happy, it’s the best fucking thing ever, especially when I’m the one causing that gorgeous smile on her face.

“My article is getting printed!” She beams.

“No way!” My smile widens as I spin her around causing her to giggle. “I knew you could do it, Lil-Bug. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.” She giggles, her arms tightening around me.

I stand there with her in my arms for a few more minutes, savoring the feeling of her being there before placing her back down on the ground. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, and I can’t help but feel captivated by it.

Anything she does I’m captivated by.

All she has to do is breathe near me and I’m obsessed.

She said the other day that when the time is right to have sex that I’ll know, but the truth is, I knew from the minute I laid my eyes on her that she was going to be the one I lost my virginity to.

There’s no one else in this world for me but her. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure she’s mine forever.

My one goal in life has always been making it into the NHL—but making Lilly my girl, that’s the main goal for me right now. The NHL can take a back seat while I accomplish this goal, because right now, this is more important.

“What are you doing here?” She suddenly asks.

I didn’t want her to think I was a stalker, but when I noticed she wasn’t texting me back, I pulled up her location to see it was turned off—something I thought she’d done deliberately.

I’d gone over to her house and Payton told me she was at Jinx with some guys from her journalism class, so I came down here immediately.

Lucky for me, Theo also happened to be here with Mia and Eloise, so that was going to be my excuse as to why I’m here.

“Theo invited me.” I say, gesturing my head toward his booth.

And technically it’s not a lie, he asked the other day if I wanted to come to Jinx with him tonight, but I declined thinking I’d be spending the evening with Lilly again because we’ve been spending practically every day together as it is.

“Ahhh,” she nods, chewing at her lip. “Are you going over to him then?”

I don’t want to. “Not if you’re here.” I admit.

“You missed me?” She smirks.

Hell fucking yes!

“More than you think.” I lean in planting a kiss to her lips.

“Hmm,” she moans when I pull away. “Little secret,” she says, leaning on her tip toes and brushing her lips against my ear. “I missed you too.” She whispers.

My whole body erupts in goosebumps, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “You wanna get out of here?” I ask, gripping her hips and pulling her closer.

She nods. “I was getting bored anyway. Let me just go say goodbye to everyone and grab my purse.”

“Okay.” I smile, planting a kiss to her temple before reluctantly letting her go.

I watch as she walks back to the booth, but when she starts talking to that fucker, I turn my head not wanting to get irritated by it.

“You’re down bad.” Theo’s voice cuts through the air as he comes to stand beside me.

“Shut up.” I hiss at him.

He chuckles. “First Hunter, and now you…when are you going to tell the girl you’re in love with her?”

“I’m not in love with her.” I shoot him a glare.

Lie, lie, lie.

“Could’ve fooled me.” He shrugs, patting my shoulder like I’m a dog.

I shove his hand off. “You’re so annoying.”

“And you’re in denial,” he smirks. “Wouldn’t you agree, Lilly?”

My head shoots beside me to see her a couple steps from us, and I pray she hasn’t heard the whole conversation.

“In denial about what?” She looks at him confused.

“Nothing,” I shake my head shooting him a glare before looking at her. “You ready to go?”

“Uh-huh.” She nods, grabbing my hand and interlocking our fingers together.

Theo smirks at both of us. “Like I said, in denial.”

“Fuck off, Jenkins.” I roll my eyes, pulling Lilly along with me.

Pushing the door open, the cold air greets us the second we walk out, and I grip her tightly, pulling her closer to me to keep her warm.

“Oh shit, I also need to tell you something.” She suddenly stops in the middle of the parking lot.

“What?” I ask, glancing at her.

“I bumped into Kyle this morning and he tried to kiss me.” She looks into my eyes, no doubt trying to gauge my reaction.

My fists clench, he did what?

I swear, he’s looking to get sent into a fucking coma.

“Did he kiss you?” I growl out, my molars clenching together.

“No,” she shakes her head. “But I did slap him.”

Atta girl!

“Holy fuck,” I whistle lowly, my eyes gleaming with pride. “I wish I was there to see it.”

She giggles, holding her palm up. “Fucking hurt like a bitch though.”

I grin, grabbing her hand and kissing it. “But it was worth it, right?”

“Oh, one hundred percent.” She grins.

Pulling her forward with the hand I’m holding, I grip the nape of her neck and kiss her like my life depends on it.