The media painted him as someone I haven't seen.
Should I be worried he’s hiding that side from me? Probably.
But I trust my gut. And right now, it’snottelling me to run. That I'm safe with Avery.
"What else do you want to eat?" Noelle asks me.
I find myself staring at the memorabilia lining the walls of the arena, only recognizing two names.
Jones and York.
I smile, knowing how much of a legend my soon-to-be-husband is within the game.
"Um, I think I’m alright with my fries for now." I give them a gentle shake before dousing them in ketchup, quickly shoving my hand back in my pocket.
I’ve had this ring on my finger for the last two or so hours, and unless I’m using my left hand, it’s buried where nobody can see.
Not because I don’t want anybody to know; that’s the whole point of this relationship.
But because I have a plan to do a big reveal.
It’s a little unconventional, but I’m in the spirit of trying new things.
"Let’s get back to our seats, then." Noelle grips my arm, pulling me in towards the stands where Avery waits for us.
But a group of kids stop me for a photo.
The adult beside them looks me up and down, her eyes roll in distaste before she ushers them back to their seat quickly, and I hear the siren sound for halftime.
"What was that all about?" Noelle asks with a frown as we climb the steps to our seats.
"No idea. Probably knows I’m ‘seeing’ Avery and is jealous." She chuckles at my air quotes. "Or probably not pleased her kids like the music of someone who is dating a supposed bad guy," I say with a shrug.
Noelle stiffens, stopping in her tracks. She looks at me with nothing but sadness on her face. "You know those rumors about him aren’t true, right? You know he isn’t the person they’ve made him out to be?"
Something about her tone seems desperate. Like she wishes she could shout it from the rooftops, but is afraid nobody will hear her.
"I would tell you, but I can’t. Just…please believe me over them." Tears pool in her eyes, and I feel my heart break a little for her.
"I know." I squeeze her arm and give her the best smile I can, then force my legs to keep moving, no matter how much they protest.
"I’m serious, Olive. He’s the best man I know. If it weren’t for him…if he didn’t show up when he did, I—" I pull her into a hug,cutting her off. I’m not going to make her finish that sentence. She doesn’t need to. I believe her, I’m on her side.
On Avery’s side.
It's clear now more than ever.
"I know," I whisper while I hold the back of her head to keep her close. Pulling away, I thumb away her tears, take her hand in mine, and guide us back to our seats.
"Thought you got lost," Avery teases as we approach our seats.
"Right in time for Kiss Cam!" Noelle cheers, no visible tears left, as the camera lands on Avery. He groans so loud, I swear the entire crowd heard it through the speakers.
"Perfect," I whisper, mostly to myself, but the way his head whips in my direction tells me he heard me.
"What do you mean?" I pull his face toward mine and kiss him for everyone to see. I kiss him deeply, with so much fire burning inside of me that I almost forget there’s a crowd. But when they cheer, I remember my plan. I bring my left hand to rest on his cheek and show off the rock weighing heavily on my finger. When they cheer louder, I know they’ve spotted it, and I can’t help the smile that curves my lips.
"That’s one way to announce you’re getting married," Noelle says as the camera finds two other people in the crowd. When I pull away from Avery, his expression is something I don’t think I’ve seen before.
