“What matters is doing what’s best for you. What makes you happy,” Zah says as she looks up at me, totally oblivious to the fact that Gilbert is trying to throw shade and impress her all at once.
I palm her ass and dip my head to take her lips. She’s all that matters to me. We’re happy together.
“Are we going to finish this game or what?” Baker barks out.
“Yeah, hold on,” I say before kissing Zah one more time.
“It was good to see you, Zah. I hope we get to hang a bit before the vacation is over,” Gilbert says.
“Or maybe some other time since you’ll be home when I come to visit.”
“Yeah, sure.”
I grit my teeth and hold in all the things I want to say. Knowing whenever she comes back home, he’s going to try to hang out with her doesn’t sit well with me.
Gilbert is in our friend group, but we do bump heads from time to time. I know the real him. He’s not the guy he tries to pretend to be in public.
He’s certainly never been the guy for Zah and never will be. As she cheers my name as I run back onto the field, I push it all aside. I have no reason to be jealous.
Zahirah and I are built to last. She’s mine and I am hers. Nothing can tear us apart.
CHAPTER 21
Dreams
Zahirah
“Done.It’s official. I’ve declared for the draft, signed with my new agent, and booked my flight for the combine,” Bentley croons in my ear as he walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me.
I just finished practice and came to the quad to meet him after he sent me a text that he wanted to hang out tonight. Bentley got his own place senior year to give us more privacy when we want and need it. I’m sure we’re going to take advantage of that tonight.
I turn in his embrace and wrap my arms around his neck. He pecks my nose as he gives me a huge smile. He looks so happy.
“Oh my God, congratulations. Are you excited?”
“I think I am. Maybe a little overwhelmed at the moment. I mean, this is our future.
“I don’t want to fuck this up. The wrong team, a slip in the draft, or the wrong city could fuck so much up for us.”
“Bentley, I want you to breathe. It’s all going to work out. I’m here no matter where you go,” I say and lift on my toes to kiss him.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here before the crew spots us and we can’t get rid of them.”
I snicker. “You want to order pizza?”
“Nah, I’ve got something planned already,” he says.
“Oh really? Is this my romantic Bentley?”
“This is your man taking care of you. I want to spend some quality time with you. We’ve been so busy, I thought this would be the perfect time to kick back and chill.”
“Sounds good to me.”
We walk to his car hand in hand. As we ride to his apartment, we talk and laugh. I can’t help but notice how happy I am.
My life is so perfect. My boyfriend is amazing. What more could I ask for?
When we get to the apartment, I double down on my thoughts of having the perfect boyfriend. He has string lights up around the living room. A bottle of champagne is chilling in a bucket, and it smells delicious.
