Page 82 of Hate To Love You

I swallow hard. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without these guys.

“Thanks.”

“Ellie says Gwen will be at the game tonight,” Holland tells me with a wink. My heart pounds in my chest and the familiar feeling of electricity buzzes through me at the sound of her name.

She’s coming to the game? The last time she game to a game, that dickhead Davis tried to threaten her, and I swear to God if I see him again, I’m going to fucking kill him.

Would he be dumb enough to show up to one of my games to talk to Gwen? I don’t know, probably. But if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay the hell away.

I have to keep my head in the game. I can’t be distracted by douchebags like Walsh and Davis. I already have to deal with Ty Manning, and honestly, he’s an even bigger douchebag than them.

“Will she?” I ask noncommittally. The guys know somewhat how I feel about Gwen. I haven’t told them much, but I know they can tell how my mood shifts after I’ve hung out with her. I’m not sure if Gwen has told her roommates about us, or what she’d even tell them.

I haven’t made anything official, there is no label, but I feel like the other night we both felt a shift. We know this isn’t just simply fucking anymore. This thing between us is more. I know she feels it. She wants me just as badly as I want her.

“Yeah, her, El, and Barkley. Sounds like it was actually Gwen’s idea. Any idea why?” Holland asks tauntingly. I roll my eyes and flip him off.

Logan looks up from his phone, making eye contact with me.

“Are you two a thing now?” he asks, and he seems genuinely curious. I hop onto one of the barstools at the counter, leaning my back against the edge and propping my forearms on the surface.

I shrug. “Yeah,” I say confidently, making the decision for the both of us. Pat chuckles to himself.

“Does Gwen know that?” he asks, and Mason guffaws, giving Pat a fist bump.

“Funny, Samuelson. Real funny.”

No, she doesn’t. But she will. After the game tonight, I’m going to make it official.

Gwen’s the type of girl who likes tradition. And I’m certain that includes putting a label on what we are. It’s not something I would have ever considered before meeting her, but I would do anything for Gwen.

I decided Gwen was mine a long time ago, even if I wasn’t ready to admit it to myself. Fuck what my dad thinks, and fuck what anyone else says.

No one is going to stop me from having her.

Chapter 40

Guinevere

I don’t know why I decided it would be a good idea to come to the rugby game tonight. It’s so cold out I actually think I might freeze to the stands.

I’m wearing my thick winter jacket, a scarf, a hat, and gloves along with my thickest Ellington U sweatshirt and I’m still shivering. Ellie and Lainey were smart and brought a blanket to huddle under, but it’s difficult to fit all three of us under it, so we keep taking turns.

Damian doesn’t seem to be bothered by the cold as he sits next to me sipping on a large soda and popping m&m’s into his mouth.

The stadium lights illuminate the field and stands where faculty and students are chatting and laughing, waiting for the teams to take the field. The energy is charged, and my adrenaline is running high.

Last time I was here, I didn’t really understand much of what was going on, but this time I know a bit more, so it’ll be easier to follow. Plus, Ryker looks hot as hell in his jersey.

Lainey wanted to paint his number on my cheek, but I shut that down quickly since I’m not even sure what Ryker wants. He’s been confusing as of late. We fuck, we talk, and it’s great. But the other night, it was more than just fucking.

It was something else entirely. More intense, heated. Something I wasn’t even sure Ryker was capable of. Actually, I was fully convinced it wasn’t something he’d be capable of. But it felt like a lot more than hate sex, or pent-up tension, or jealousy. It felt real… and that kind of scares me.

I know Ryker already believes I’m his, and knowing his possessive streak, he might’ve been happy to see his number on my face. But I’m not sure I’m ready for the whole campus to know. Because trust me, when one person finds out, that shit will spread around campus like a bad STD.

The rumors and the attention will drive me insane. Ryker is one of the most popular and feared guys on this campus, and anyone in his circle is up for judgement and ridicule.

I don’t think I could ever willingly put myself in the spotlight. I like being alone too much to be bothered by stupid people who only want to be near you to gain something for themselves. But I would do it for Ryker. I’m learning that I’d do just about anything for him.

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