"What's going on?" I ask.
"Hmm?" Aiden says.
"Why aren't you guys on the bus already?"
"Jo's game is still going on." Bryson says as he waves his phone around quickly. I narrow my eyes. Jo's soccer season hasn't started yet.
"Liar." I push.
Bryson clamps his mouth shut and pushes out the locker room door.
"You ready?" Felix asks as he half stands in the door.
"Me?" I ask as I point to my chest. "Yeah I'm ready. I took my time and I'm wondering what you fools are still doing here."
Crosby comes rushing over from where he was packing his bag away and talking to Laila on the phone. "Did I miss it?"
"Miss what?" I ask, feeling a mix of hopeful and annoyed.
"Just," Felix reaches forward and pulls my wrist, yanking me out of the locker room and into the hallway.
"Hey, was that really necess–" my words die as I make eye contact with Rhys.
He shrugs one shoulder and my eyes flick from his face, to his chest, to his cock, and back up again. There's a sweet blush coloring his cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" I ask him.
"I came to your game."
"But you didn't say."
"They thought a surprise would be better." He glances over and I see Harper and Jo huddled together smiling.
"Alright, I'm surprised. But why are you here."
"You asked me tocome." He smirks, the fucking flirt.
"I don'taskyou to come." I run my tongue along my teeth to help disguise my smile.
Rhys steps closer, he's only an arms length away now.
"No you don't, but I do anyway." He says quietly as he takes another step forward and reaches for my hand.
H-O-P-E.
I eagerly place my hand in his. "Duncan, I," his thumb brushes along my knuckles and I watch the ink on his dance with the movement. Then his eyes lift to meet mine. "I love you."
Fireworks explode in my chest and I don't bother trying to hide my smile this time.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I love you too." I say and Rhys laughs before pulling me in for a kiss.
It's warm and familiar and wonderful. I melt like butter on a warm piece of bread.
Our friends whoop and cheer this time and I laugh against Rhys's lips.
