“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I felt bad about why I said it.” He licks his lips. “I used that word because I was angry at my dad, not that I didn’t mean it, but I felt like I was only using it to anger him.”
“So, instead, you waited three weeks to make us official and took another girl to your banquet?”
“I’m not the smartest person in the world.” His thumb grazes my cheek. “Especially when it comes to my dad.”
“Well, I’m happy you finally came to your senses.”
“Me too.” He presses another kiss against my lips.
“Happy birthday,” I whisper against his lips.
“Thank you.”
“Hopefully, you’re not expecting anything. I was trying to figure out what to get you, but then I found out about the banquet, and I got really upset, and well, it took everything in me not to buy you one of those cards that are just full of glitter to ruin your room.”
He laughs. I can feel it vibrate through his body as he looks down at me.
“I never would’ve pegged you as the jealous type, Bowman. But I've been seeing it quite often.”
“Trust me, I never expected this side of me either.”
“And you being here tonight, even if it was because we were both dancing around the subject of being official, is the perfect birthday present,” he adds. “But what do you say we get out of here?”
“Leave the banquet?”
“No, I wish.” He groans. “The closet. It’s starting to get a little toasty in here.”
“You skate around for hours in full hockey gear, and this is toasty to you?”
“The ice doesn’t smell like chemicals.”
“True,” I respond. “But can we do something before we go?”
“Anything you want.”
I reach into his jacket pocket and grab his phone. I type in his password before I findSpotifyand shuffle a song. I put the phone back in his pocket, and he grins.
I rest my head on his chest as he pulls me flush against him, one hand resting low on my back, holding me close, while the other wraps around my hand.
“I take it back; I could stay in here forever,” he whispers.
“Me too.”
And that night, not only did I officially gain a boyfriend, but a safe space.
And a song—
we finally had a song.
twenty-nine
Declan
After tonight, Ember and I won’t see each other for two weeks. We’re both heading home for the holidays and then on the 29th, the guys and I head to The Great Lakes Invitation, where we’ll play two games. One on the 30thand one on the 31st. And since Ember won’t be back on campus until the 6thof January, and my hockey schedule will be picking back up, our time for the next few weeks, and possibly after, will be limited.
“How’s dinner coming?” I wonder, looking over Brinley’s shoulder.
