Page 61

Lilly

“Now, tell me, baby,” bu ttoning his slacks, Greyson’s eyes trial to mine. “Are you okay?”

Tilting my head to the side, I say. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I’ve just been fucked on a gurney in Abigail’s fucking office…that also happens to be the medical room where all the players come when they’re injured.

Holy fuck.

What if they find out? I don’t think I can show my face around here anymore without cowering in embarrassment with the fear of someone finding out.

“Because you looked pissed when I came out of the locker room, so tell me, honestly…are you okay?”

Am I okay? The million-dollar question that if asked before we met, I’d say no. No, I wasn’t okay. I was barely living, barely breathing—barely being able to hold on. My days were a blur of going through the same motions with no real joy, or spark found. But now I feel like I’m free from the past, and I’ve never felt so fucking full.

It’s a strange feeling because I knew I was done with Kyle months before I ended it with him, but when he uttered out those two simple words “I’m sorry” it felt like not only had my wounds begun to heal, but it gave me the closure I didn’t even realize I needed, setting me free to finally move on with my life.

Twisting my skirt, I smile at Greyson. “For the first time in a very long time, I feel free.” I confess.

“What do you mean?” He asks, walking toward me.

Inhaling a breath, I walk over to the trashcan and throw the tissues I used to clean myself up in there. “I ran into Kyle on my way here, that’s why I was late,” I say, turning to face him. “He said he was sorry about everything, and that he could see how in love I am with you.”

His face scrunches in annoyance.

Sitting on the edge of the desk, I cross my ankles together. “And do you know what I did?”

“What did you do?” He asks, walking toward me more.

“I walked away,” I let out a soft laugh, almost a scoff. “Something I wish I’d done years ago.”

But I didn’t. And I realize now that I never truly loved Kyle, I was just being a na?ve girl, wishing for a fairytale, desperately hoping for my happily ever after.

And in truth, fairytales do exist. But unfortunately for me, I had to brave the villain in order to find my happily ever after.

It wasn’t a journey through enchanted forests, or even grand castles. But a path filled with heartache, tears, and hard worn battles. And in the end, it was worth every painful moment because it led me to a place of genuine happiness and love far be yond my wildest dreams.

Nudging my legs with his knee, my ankles unhook and wrap around his waist as he stands between my legs.

“You did, huh?” He grins, lifting a hand to move a strand of hair from my face.

“Uh-huh,” licking my dry lips, I look into his eyes. “And do you know what I felt when I did?”

“Enlighten me.” His eyes lock onto mine.

“Happy, genuinely fucking happy.” Because the minute I walked away, I knew I could finally breathe again.

“Yeah?” His lip tilts up.

Lifting my hand, I trace my fingers along his cheekbone. “And do you know why that is?”

“Why?”

“Because of you.”

His thumb trails over my lower lip. “I make you happy?”

“You make me feel more extraordinary than anything I’ve ever experienced in my life.” I confess.

Leaning forward, his lips brush against my head, and I lean into his touch, savoring this moment and locking it in my memory forever.

Suddenly, he steps back with a huge smile on his face and extends his hand toward me. “Dance with me?”

“But there’s no music.” I say, softly laughing.

Grinning mischievously, he reaches past me and my eyes trail his hands, watching as he turns the dial to the radio that’s perched on the desk up. The song “bound to you” by Christina Aguilera plays as he steps back and hold his hand out.

“Now there is,” he grins. “Dance with me, Lil-Bug.”

Wi th heated cheeks, I laugh and take ahold of his hand. Pulling me to my feet, he moves us to the center of the room where there’s more space and wraps his other hand around my waist.

The dancing starts off slow, our eyes never once leaving the others. And I’m transported back to the first time we slow danced together.

The lyrics softly fill the air, and as the chorus blasts, I close my eyes. Inhaling a breath, a smile spreads across my face.

I’ve always felt that lyrics speak to us, and this one right here…this song was written for me.

Because I wholeheartedly feel like I’ve not only met the man I can trust, but I’m falling more and more in love with him as the days go on.

It's like every piece of a puzzle falling into place, creating a beautiful picture of what love should be. The laughter, security, happiness…just everything. They all build up to this overwhelming sense of emotions that tug at my heart strings.

It took meeting Greyson to show me what true connection, love, happiness, and so much more felt like. With him, there's no effort, no facade…just pure genuineness that grows stronger every day.

“Lilly?”

“Yes, Greyson?”

He smiles softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m glad you got assigned the hockey team for your article.”

“Me too.” I whisper, nestling my head against his chest.

It’s funny how life works out, if Professor Davenport hadn’t assigned me to write an article on the hockey team, I never would’ve impulsively blurted out to Kyle that Greyson and I were dating, which ultimately led to us “fake” dating. And as time passed, lines blurred, and we ended up falling in love for real.

Who knew that a little white lie would become the best thing to ever happen to us.

Pinching my chin between his thumb and forefinger, he lifts my head, our eyes connect, and my breath hitches. “I love you.” He says, his thumb softly caressing my chin.

Smiling, I lift onto my toes and press a kiss to his lips. “I love you.”