Page 91 of Once Upon a Fake Date

Audrey

Oh god,” I gasped. “Do you think he’s okay?”

Parker had taken a hard hit from one of the other players. I was sure it wasn’t easy to face your old team. That they were still in the same conference was crazy enough. Let alone everything that had happened with his ex-girlfriend and old teammates.

“That looked like it was on purpose,” Ella observed. My twin sister was with me in the stands, a fact that made me happier than I could express. She was wearing a pale blue Castleton Chipmunks t-shirt and jeans, while I was wearing Parker’s jersey and my favorite white swishy skirt. It was a beautiful day—the sun was high in the sky, and everything feltright.

Rehearsals this week had been amazing. Especially when we’d hidden away and kissed behind the curtains, and I felt like a giggling high schooler sneaking around with her first boyfriend. I hadn’t even been this smitten with the actual first guy I’d dated, which is how I knew everything with Parker was different.

And I was happy. So happy.

But also, a little worried about my man.

The player who hit him was sent to the penalty box, and I bit my lip, watching Parker head back to the bench. Normally, he played a longer shift before heading back, but I was sure they were just making sure he was okay.

“It gets a little rough sometimes,” I admitted to my sister. “Sticks and all of that. But that’s why they have helmets and all that padding.” Still, at least the helmet protected his face. I would hate for anything to happen to his smile. God knows the hockey players lost enough teeth for the rest of the student athletes.

Ella nudged me. “So, how’s everything been going between you two? You know we haven’t really talked about it.”

“Like you and Cam, huh?” The semester had been so busy, it felt like we had barely seen each other lately. Still, she was my twin sister, and we’d always been so close.

She blushed. “He told me he loved me.”

“And?” I bumped my shoulder into hers in return.

“And I said I loved him too.” Her blue eyes were bright, Ella’s face glowing with happiness.

“When did this happen?”

My twin looked at the ground, ignoring my eyes. “Before formal. When his dad was in town.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner!”

She rested her hand over her heart. “I still can’t believe it’s real, honestly. But everything’s been amazing. And we’re looking at places to move into next semester.”

“Wow.” My eyes widened. “That’s big.”

She nodded. “Yeah, but I’m ready for it. It’s been a busy year, being the president, and I think it’ll be nice to spend our senior year living in one place. Plus, then I don’t have to keep sneaking in and out of the fraternity house to spend the night with Cam.” Her cheeks were even redder this time. “What about you?”

“Well, it’s…” I worried my lower lip into my mouth. “It’s great. But we haven’t, ah…” I blushed.

“What?” She frowned.

“We haven’t had sex yet,” I whispered.

“Why not?”

“I don’t know… I want it to be special for us.” For him, since it was his first time. I didn’t want it to be some rushed or hurried encounter because my first time definitely hadn’t been sunshine and roses.

Ella nodded. “It will be, though. I mean, just look at him. Plus, the way he looks at you? Wow.”

God, he was glorious. He’d taken his helmet off, running his fingers through the light brown strands, squirting water from his water bottle on his face.

I fanned myself. “Yeah. He’s…” I practically moaned, just thinking about how good it felt when he went down on me. It felt like we hadn’t had a spare moment together lately—not since the formal—but god, I was wet just thinking about it. “I never could have expected him.”

“That’s how I feel about Cam. That’s how I know you two are going to make it.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m really glad you’ve found your person, Audrey.”

I had, hadn’t I? He was everything to me. My best friend, my boyfriend. And it felt fast, but I knew that what I felt for him was different than it had ever been before. Because I’d never felt this overwhelming affection and warmth in my chest just fromlookingat someone before.

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