“I’m scared,” I admitted.
“Me too. But we can be scared together.”
Then we were nothing but hands, mouths, and heat.
“I love you, Lucas Allen.”
“Say it again,” he said between kisses.
“I love you.”
He chuckled. “You are it for me, Midnight.”
The pain in my stomach vanished, and I prayed it would never return.
21
Lucas
The team bus sped through the darkness as the post-game energy was lit. Another win was under our belts. We had five games left before the postseason, and we still had a chance at a bowl game or conference championship.
“Man, Lucas,” Ajax shouted from the front. “You were on fire tonight. What the hell has gotten into you?”
“A beautiful goddess,” Erik piped up.
“He’s glowing” came from our backup wide receiver, Cane.
I sat in the back, reading Mazzie’s text.
Mazzie
I hope you guys won. I’ve been thinking about you as I bust my butt at my new job. The cover band they had tonight sold the place out, and the restaurant was packed. Anywho, I just wanted to say I love you.
I typed out a text.
We did win by two touchdowns. The team is flying high. We’re on our way home. I would love to see you later. Call me when you get a break. Also, do you need a ride home? We should be rolling into Lakemont around ten p.m. Love you, Midnight.
Then I added four heart emojis.
It had been four days since we confessed our true feelings, and it still didn’t feel real. Four days since she’d looked at me with those sultry green-blue eyes and said the words I’d been too afraid to hope for. I felt as though being in love with Mazzie was like discovering a new language. Everything was different now. The way she looked at me when she thought I wasn’t watching. How her guard dropped just enough to let me see the girl beneath that armor she wore. I was still walking around in a daze, half convinced I’d dreamed the whole thing.
Mazzie
Congratulations on the win! I’m so proud of you. Don’t worry about a ride. Bailey is picking me up. Also, I need to pass on staying the night with you. I want to be home when Kaylee wakes in the morning. We’re making pancakes for breakfast. Maybe tomorrow night. I’ll call when I’m settled at home.
Ajax peeked over the seat in front of me. “Dude, I’ve been meaning to tell you. As dopey of a grin you’ve been wearing, I see the same expression on Mazzie when she walks into Biochemistry. You two are good for each other. Actually, she’s been good for your game. You played like a man possessed today. Don’t mess it up.”
Whatever dopey grin he was talking about, I was sure I was wearing it now, knowing Mazzie was as happy as me. “I don’t plan to.”
I set my phone in my lap, about to close my eyes for a bit, when Ryker dropped into the seat beside me.
“Great game, huh?” He kicked out his long legs into the aisle.
“For sure. I’m walking on air. You?”
“There’s nothing like winning, but we can’t get too cocky.”
I wasn’t surprised my best friend was tempering his excitement. He concentrated on one game at a time.
