"Then we'll meet at my place. I have an apartment all to myself a little off campus," I suggested. "And I think it might be easier to stay away from each other at social functions when we know that we'll get to be together later."
"Maybe." She kept pacing, and I sat on the edge of Olivia's bed, waiting for her to decide.
A few minutes went by, then she suddenly stopped and looked at me. "Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want to risk not playing football, letting down your team, and disappointing your parents?"
I knew what the consequences would be if we got caught, and I appreciated how hesitant she was to do this to protect me. As she stood there in front of me, her hair a little more wild than usual since she'd been running her hands through it, and the outline of her figure silhouetted in the glow of the lamp, I knew that I hundred percent wanted to risk it.
"Yes." I stood and made my way over to her. Taking her hands in mine I said, "And I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't think we could really do it. We'll have to be careful, but I think it will be worth it."
She looked up at me, and I could see the worry in her eyes. I wondered if it was more than just for me, but I was too selfish to ask. I was too close to having her be mine.
I guided her hands up and around my neck, and then pulled her close to me. "So Scarlet, will you be my secret girlfriend?"
The worry left her eyes, and a hopeful expression filled her face. "Can't never could,” she said under her breath before adding louder, “Yes, I'll be your secret girlfriend."
Smiling, I dipped my head and kissed her. She was quick to respond, and soon we were lost to the sensations of our mouths moving together in a beautiful rhythm, but before it could escalate, I pulled back. There would be plenty of time for that later—now that we had more of it.
I was more than excited to see what would happen between Scarlet and me, but I also had the thought that this was worse than playing with fire. Now we were playing with a grenade, and I just had to hope that it never blew up.
10
Scarlet
Ismoothed the lipstick across my lips and rubbed them together. There. I was finally ready.
Turning around to face Olivia, I asked, "How do I look?"
She looked me up and down. "Hot."
I smiled. "Perfect, because hot was what I was going for."
Tonight would be my first official date with Rush. It had been a week since he'd been here in my room and we'd decided to secretly start dating. That night, after we'd agreed to keep our relationship hidden, he'd stayed until almost four in the morning. He wanted to stay longer, but we were worried if he waited any longer, people might see him leave my room.
We'd lain in my bed together, with my head on his chest and his arms around me, and talked for hours. We'd talked about his family, and he'd told me lots of stories about growing up with his siblings. They sounded amazing, and I could tell how much Rush missed them.
I'd told him more about my dad, including how he kept calling me to see if I'd join him for Christmas this year, but how I hadn't spoken to him and that I didn't know if I was strong enough to actually go see him. He'd been super supportive and understanding, and it had felt so good to talk to someone about it all. I knew I could talk to Olivia about it, and she would be great at listening, but she was so happy that I always felt bad bringing the conversation down. With Rush it was different—he was so invested in how I was doing and already wanted to make sure he was there for me.
I still couldn't believe we were actually dating, but it had been the best week of my life. We texted during the day and spent the evenings together at his apartment. We'd study or watch a movie or make out. It was all pretty perfect.
Except for the whole keeping it a secret part.
I gave myself one last look in the full-length mirror I'd added to the room. I'd left my curls down, knowing how much Rush liked my hair, and I had done my makeup a little dramatic since it would be dark out. He'd told me to dress warm for the weather because we'd be outside, so I'd put on a plum-colored long sleeve V-neck coupled with my fitted black leather jacket and a pair of jeans.
Olivia sat on her bed, her dark hair in a messy bun on top of her head, and hugged a pillow to her chest. "Do you know where he's taking you?" she asked.
Olivia was the only person who knew about Rush and me secretly dating. I'd told Rush there was no way I'd be able to keep it from Olivia and that it might actually be good to have someone who could help us if we ever needed it. Rush had been worried about her telling Wilder, but I had assured him that if it was important to me, she'd be supportive and keep it a secret. She hadn't loved the idea of not telling Wilder, but she'd also understood. She'd promised not to tell him and used the example of him not telling her about Coach Matthew's rule about me as a justification.
Plus, a girl needed a girlfriend she could talk to her boyfriend about.
I'd told Olivia all about the night of the Halloween party, including how we'd talked all night in my bed. She'd had a hard time believing we'd done nothing more than share a few kisses that night, but Rush had promised to be a gentleman and he'd kept his word, even if it had been frustrating at times.
"No, I don't. All he told me was that we'd be outside for most of it," I answered. "I do know that we have kind of a long drive, though. We wanted to have the freedom to be a couple without having to worry about getting caught." I grabbed my boots and sat on the edge of my bed to put them on.
"Well, I'm so excited for you, and I can't wait to hear all about it tomorrow," she said, genuinely happy for me.
"Thanks, sugar," I said. "And thank you for being here tonight to get ready with me."
"Of course," she smiled. "Someone had to be here to help you choose what shade of lipstick to wear."
