Leila
I’m late.
I spent so long debating on whether I should go that I’m late. I have never missed one of Aiden’s games. Not one. And now this one is the most important one; this one means everything and I’m not there.
When I push open the doors and the noises of the crowd fills my senses I start to panic, my heart racing as I stare at all these people who are going to know I’m dating Aiden. I glance down at the jersey on my body, the one with his name on it, the one that tells him I want to be his.
I lick my lips, swallowing down every emotion brewing inside of me and turn around. “What if he breaks my heart?”
Madeline’s eyebrows lift. “You haven’t even given the guy a chance to date you yet and you’re already thinking of how it’s going to end?”
“He’s going to get drafted, Madi. We both know it. And he’s not going to want me around when he can have his pick of every girl he could ever want.”
Madi’s eyebrows soften, grabbing onto my hand. “I love you, Leila. You are beautiful. You are perfect and Aiden knows it.”
“For now.”
“Look around,” Gabi says. “He can have his pick of any girl right here, Leila, but he wants you. No one else. You.”
Why? The question remains itself in my mind. “But what if…”
“Jake did a lot of things to you,” Rosie interrupts. “But the worst thing he’s done is make you believe you don’t deserve love.” My throat constricts at her words. Her eyes soften, holding onto my hand. “Jake was an asshole, Leila, but Aiden is nothing like him.”
“If you want to be with him, then stop thinking of all the bad things that could happen and be happy for once,” Madi says. “Make both of you happy and get in that seat.”
I turn to look at her and laugh. She’s got a point. I’ve been so focused on everything that could go wrong, I didn’t even stop to think of how happy he’s made me already.
I lean in, kissing her cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” She smiles, pushing at my shoulder. “Now go get your man.”
Yes, ma’am.
I make my way through the crowd to the seat he saved for me, right in the middle where I can see him on the court. I sit down, my hands sweating as I clutch at the material of the jersey with his name on the back. I try to watch the game, I love basketball, but right now I don’t care about anything other than Aiden. He’s still not looking up and I just want so desperately for him to lift his head and look at me.
Don’t give up on me. I’m here. I’m right here.
I’ve always admired the way he moves on the court, handling every other guy there in a way I’ve never seen before. His shoulders slump when he loses the ball and my eyes scan the shape of his lips as he mumbles a curse. He runs his hand through his hair and glances up at the seat.
When his eyes lock with mine, my heart starts to race. His hand stops halfway in his hair, gripping it as his eyes widen. God, I love him. Why did I ever think about this? The choice was so obvious.
“Hi,” I mouth smiling at him.
He shakes his head, blinks twice. My lips tip up, smirking as he tries to see if I’m really here. His eyes drop to the jersey on my body, the one he gave me. The minute he sees what I’m wearing he drops his hands, a massive grin exploding on his face. My poor heart is not going to survive this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this man as happy as he is right now. A laugh bubbles out of me when he throws me a wink, running towards the ball. The girls smile at me when I turn to look at them, Gabi though, is in her own little world, munching away on some popcorn as she shouts at the ref.
When I turn, my eyes stay locked on my soon to be boyfriend. Those words. Boyfriend. I haven’t had a boyfriend since Jake and the thought of announcing to everyone that Aiden is mine makes my palms sweat. But as soon as I lock eyes with Aiden again, his smile makes all worries go away.
He grins at me, and then turns, stealing the ball and shooting. My eyes stay trained on the ball flying through the air, rimming the hoop once, twice before it sinks.
“Hell yes,” I yell. The crowd goes wild, everyone around me standing up and cheering. Redfield’s team crowds Aiden, hugging him but Aiden’s eyes are on me as he taps his teammates shoulders, trying to get out of there.
My feet are stuck. I don’t know whether to move and go to him or stay here. He rushes out of the court, heading up the bleachers. My heart races as I watch him come to me, moving past the mass amount of people trying to hug him or talk to him. He doesn’t see anyone but me.
When he finally approaches me, his eyes locked on mine, he lets out a breath and smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I whisper back. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. No, scratch that, I know exactly why. Because this, this right here is going to change everything. No more hiding and sneaking around. It’s going to be official.
He smiles. “You came.”
“I did.”
His smile drops a little. “I thought you bailed. I didn’t see you earlier.”
“I was late, I’m sorry.” My stomach churns knowing I hurt him by making him think I wasn’t coming when I know with everything inside of me that I want to be with him.
He shakes his head. “Don’t you dare apologize.” His hand grips my waist, his eyes dropping to the jersey on my body. “You’re here. And you’re wearing my jersey.”
“I am.”
He grins, laughs a little. “Remember when I said I’d love to see you cheering me on with pom-poms?” he asks, lifting his brows.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you want me to take this off?”
He drops his smile. “No. Fuck no.” He lets out a content sigh and brings his forehead to mine. “Does this mean you’re my girlfriend?” he asks, desperately.
I nod, pulling back and looking into his eyes. “Yes.”
His gaze drops to my lips and I think he’s going to kiss me but he swallows instead. “Everyone’s going to know we’re together,” he whispers. Those big hands of his cup my face, running a thumb over my bottom lip. “Are you ready for that?”
More than anything. “You’re going to ruin me,” I say instead.
“You already have.” He pulls me into him and crashes his lips to mine. A rush of gasps and murmur break out around us but I don’t focus on them. I focus on my boyfriend, the way his lips feel against mine, how he lets out a groan when I brush my tongue against his. How his other hand grips my ass as he kisses me in front of everyone.
He pulls back and smiles. “Does this mean I get to call you baby now?” he asks with a grin on his lips.
I roll my eyes. “So cocky.”
“I can’t help it,” he says shaking his head. “I just won the fucking lottery.”
I lift on my tiptoes, leaning into him and leaving a soft kiss against his lips. “Take me home, boyfriend.”
He shivers, his eyes darkening as he tightens his hold on me. “Holy fuck, say that again.” I smile, laughing against his chest. He kisses the top of my head and grabs my hand in his. “Let’s go home, baby.”
I shake my head. What an asshole. How unfortunate that I still love him.
