When I finish the tart, I peer up at him. My heart skids in my chest at the raw concern in his eyes, at just how much he cares about me, at how he goes out of his way, always, to make sure that I’m okay.
“How are you doing with all this?” I ask.
“It sucks, but I’ll get through it.” Gently, he traces his fingertips along the hinge of my jaw. “How are you doing?”
“I’m pissed. I want to track down whoever this source is and break their nose for lying about us.”
He cracks a smile.
“What?”
He kisses my cheek. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
I let a small smile slip, but a second later, it fades. “I’m just so angry right now. I hate how this makes us look.”
He wraps his arms around me tightly and kisses the top of my head. “I know, baby. But it’s gonna be okay.”
Pain seeps through my chest at how much trouble this is going to cause for Camden. I’d bet anything his social media accounts are blowing up with people tagging him.
“Has Coach Porter said anything to you about this yet?” I ask.
Above me, I can feel him shake his head. “No. He left the reception early with Abby, so I bet he’s missing all this. I’m sure he’ll have something to say to me when training camp starts next week though.”
I press my eyes shut, tears burning in my eyes. “This is so unfair, Camden. You did something so selfless and good, and you might get in trouble for it.”
“I don’t care.”
I lean back and look at him. “What do you mean? Why aren’t you more upset?”
“Because I have you. And you’re more important to me than anything.”
My heart skids in my chest, blown away by his words.
“But, Camden, what if you lose alternate captain because of this mess? Won’t you be upset?”
“Yeah. But I’d be okay with losing that or anything else in the world as long as I have you.” He cups my face in his hands and swallows hard as he holds my gaze. “I love you, Ellie.”
Time skids to a halt. It feels like all the breath in my lungs has evaporated.
“You love me?” I say.
He nods. His jaw works, like he’s nervous.
“I know we haven’t been together long. And I know we’ve done things kind of backwards because we got married first and then developed feelings, but…” He swipes my hair out of my face. “But I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’m so fucking in love with you.”
He goes quiet as he stares at me. “You don’t have to say it back. I know it was probably pretty shocking to hear me say all that, but?—”
“I love you, Camden.”
His eyes go wide. “You do?”
I smile. “Yeah.”
The corners of his mouth lift in the sweetest, most surprised smile.
And then he grabs my face and kisses me until we’re both panting.
“Unbelievable,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Ellie Michaelson loves me.”
