Page 46 of Faking it With the Player Next Door

But I knew there was one more thing I had to tell him.

Taking a deep breath, I sat up, pulling away slightly to face him. “Van, there’s something I need to tell you. About Travis.”

His brows furrowed, and he nodded, his eyes attentive. “Go on.”

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of what I was about to say. “When I broke up with Travis... it wasn’t because he was cheating on me with another woman.”

Van’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened with concern. “What was it then?”

I hesitated, my fingers fiddling with the edge of the blanket draped over the couch. “I caught him doing drugs. I did not know he was involved with that thing until I walked in on him. He wasn’t who I thought he was.”

Van’s eyes softened, and he reached out, taking my hand. “Taylor... I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“I should’ve told you the truth earlier,” I whispered. “But I was too embarrassed. And angry. At myself, mostly.”

Van shook his head. “You don’t have to be embarrassed. Travis was the one who messed up, not you.”

“I know,” I whispered, squeezing his hand. “I didn’t want you to think I was running from a relationship or commitment because of something trivial.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Taylor. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

I leaned into him again, resting my head on his shoulder. “What about you?” I asked quietly. “Ellie?”

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Ellie and I met about a year ago. Despite our regular dates and time together, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our relationship was missing the deep connection I craved. She called me tonight after... everything that happened at the restaurant. She offered to, you know, be there for me.”

I frowned slightly, feeling a jolt of jealousy, even though I knew there was nothing between them anymore. “And?”

“And I turned her down,” Van said, his voice firm. “There’s only one person I want to be with, Taylor. You.”

I smiled, feeling the warmth spread through me at his words. “I’m glad.”

We sat in comfortable silence again for a moment before Van turned to me, his expression serious. “Taylor... I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

He shifted slightly, turning to face me fully. “Earlier, you said you told Hunter the truth. About us.”

I nodded, my heart racing. “I did.”

Van’s hand tightened around mine, and his gaze softened. “Then let’s make it real.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him, wide-eyed. “What?”

“Taylor, I don’t want this to be fake anymore. I want you to be my girlfriend. For real. No more pretending, no more hiding.”

Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I smiled at him. “Van, I... I want that, too. More than anything.”

He smiled that warm, genuine smile that made my heart flutter. And then he kissed me again, slow and sweet, and this time, I knew for certain that everything was real.

As we pulled away, I rested my forehead against his, both breathing hard, the air between us electric with the promise of what was to come.

Chapter Twenty

Van

The familiar buzz of the Tavern washed over me as I slid into the worn leather booth across from Hunter. I flexed my left arm instinctively, still marveling at how different it felt after the UCL surgery.

Hunter reacted with his usual playful skepticism—raising one eyebrow and flashing that characteristic half-smile I knew so well. “Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence. How’s life treating you, our superstar loverboy?”

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