Page 12 of A Game Of Love

“Got that right,” I retort.

“Well, if it means anything, I’m happy for you and Lilly. And I hope Toby pulls his head out of his ass and becomes the man she needs him to be.”

“He’s going to,” I reply with confidence. “He’s just going through a hard time, but things are looking up.”

“Good.” He nods. “Now, let’s go work out until I puke up all the alcohol I drank last night.” He groans like he’s already in pain.

I toss my head back and laugh as I pat him on the back. “That's the spirit.”

Lillianna

I’m sitting in Bishop’s bed, playing on my phone, when his door opens. Looking up, I see a sweaty Bishop walk in with two coffees in his hand.

A smile lights up my face as I sit up a little straighter. When his eyes meet mine, my belly swoops. “Hi.”

“Hey there, Shorty.” He grins one of those smiles that make my heart skip a beat. “For you.” He hands me a coffee, then digs into the pocket of his hoodie, grabs a paper bag, and tosses it onto the bed in front of me.

“Thank you.” I take a sip of the coffee and sigh happily. “What's this?” I ask, grabbing the bag.

He just stands there, grinning.

Laughing, I open the bag then gasp. My eyes go wide, and I squeal, “Oh my god!” I pull out a cookie that's filled with caramel in the center.

“Thought you might like that,” he laughs, moving to take a seat on the bed next to me.

“You thought right. You're the best.”

“Anything for my girl.” He winks. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“Halloween is next weekend, so I’m guessing we’re going to be doing something?” I ask, not really sure because witheverything that's been going on, no one has talked about the upcoming holiday.

“Depends. You down for another party? If not, we could do something fun. Stay in and watch scary movies all day, or we could go to the Fall Festival Fair.”

I straighten up, a large grin spreading across my face at both suggestions, excitement filling me. “Can we do both? Watch movies on Saturday, go to the fair on Sunday?”

“Yeah.” He shrugs. “Don’t see why not.”

“And you're okay not going to a party? Doesn’t the hockey house throw one every year?”

He snorts out a laugh. “Babe, the hockey house throws parties pretty much every weekend. I think I’ll be fine missing a few.”

I chew on my lower lip as I remember something. “Would you be okay if Toby came with us?”

Understanding dawns on him. “If he wants to, I’m all for it. It’s been a few years since we’ve all gone together, hasn’t it?”

I nod slowly. “I’m not going to lie, I miss it.” I pick at the cookie, breaking a piece off before putting it in my mouth.

“Me too. I’d love to hang out with the both of you.”

“Even if Toby’s still mad at you?” I ask, unease filling my stomach.

“Babe, I think we both need to come to terms with Toby being pissed at me for a while. And I’m ready for it. As much as I hate it, I deserve it.”

“No, you don’t. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But in his eyes, I did. I’m his best friend, and you're the one thing he loves the most in the world. He asked me to protect you, and in his eyes, I swooped in and stole you.”

“You didn’t steal me. I’m with him, too.” I blink a few times. “Well, I will be once we work everything out.” I really need to sit down and talk to Toby, see where we go from here.

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