Page 151 of Breakaway Hearts

I am trying very hard to stay calm and not jump to conclusions.

“Didn’t even know you lived there.”

“The library…”

“If you want a full timeline of my intentions, I walked up to you because Colt picked you out, but I’d like to think I would have spotted you on my own if he hadn’t. Your apartment and when I asked for your help were me trying to be a good captain and get us Jason.” He looks apologetic about this, like he’s worried I’d be offended when he clearly stated his intentions. “Every single interaction after that is just me wanting to spend as much time with you as I can because I would rather watch you pretend to do homework while glaring at me than literally anything with anyone else.”

“Anything?” I ask.

“With anyone else,” he specifies. “There are so many things I would rather do with you, but it is adorable when you furiously typed nonsense so I wouldn’t know you liked me.”

“I didn’t.”

“Come on, beautiful, we’re being honest here.”

“Maybe a little,” I concede. I want to reproach him the giant smile that spreads onto his face, but I’m pretty sure mine mirrors it. Then, because I can’t help it, “Did you mean to imply you love me, or did you just really want to win the argument?”

“I don’t win if you lose,” he argues. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve said it a few times now. Things slip out when you mean them.” He’s not the least bit embarrassed.

“Owen, I…”

He comes close, but thinks better of playing with the hair Tab meticulously styled for me. He rubs his fingers on my cheek instead.

“I would never use ‘I love you’ to win a fight, or to throw you off your game, and I don’t want you to say it back. Not tonight. Not because I said it. Someday, when you mean it so much you can’t keep it to yourself anymore? Then you can say it.”

He kisses me on the forehead, then leads me to our table for dinner.

We’re with Colt, Mike, and Donovan. He’s the only other one who brought a date, but she spends most of the night on her phone, or making out with Donovan when she thinks no one is looking. They leave as soon as the meal is over and two soccer players immediately take their seats.

“You must be Madison.” One of them smiles at me after greeting the guys. “I’m Brittany and this is my best friend, Sabrina.”

“Nice to meet you, Brittany.” I raise my eyebrows at Colt, who smiles knowingly.

The girls each have a flask, which they offer to share, but Owen and I pass. By the time dessert is done, Owen has pulled my chair so close to his that I am practically sitting in his lap.

“I’m giving it five more minutes, then I don’t care if Coach is still here, I am taking you home,” he whispers in my ear.

“And tucking me in before going to your house?” I ask, playing innocent, but I can’t help the smile before he kisses me, soft and gentle, perfectly appropriate for a school banquet, which is not what either of us wants right now.

“If that’s what you’d like, I am happy to comply.”

I don’t at all believe he’d be happy to do it, but I truly think he would.

“What’s that for?” he asks when I kiss him.

“I just wanted to.” I shrug.

“I think that’s about five minutes,” he decides.

I giggle like a schoolgirl as he takes my hand and we head out after a quick goodbye to his roommates.

I get our coats while he gets his SUV, which I think is stupid for him to do without a coat, but he thinks it’s the gentlemanly thing to do.

I put mine on before going out, but Mike and Colt walk past me, each half carrying Sabrina and Brittany, who are too drunk to walk.

I freeze for a second, feeling like a cold bucket of water was just dropped over my shoulders. There might be an explanation, I tell myself, Mike and Colt wouldn’t…but what do I know?

“Owen!” Mike calls when I start to follow.