Page 37 of A Game Of Love

“Come on, girlfriend,” he says in a teasing tone. “Let’s go to class.”

I’m downright giddy as Bishop kisses me in front of whichever students are in the lobby. I can feel their eyes watching as they whisper. I don’t care. Look away.

Bishop Grant is off the market. He’s mine. And I’m not letting him go.

With my hand in his, we walk through campus.

It’s a big place, and not everyone here knows who we are. Well, not me. Mostly Bishop. The hockey team is a pretty big deal. Same with the football team.

There are some looks as we go, and while someone else might feel nervous getting this kind of attention, I love it.

Not because I crave people's approval or I have this need to be seen with one of the hottest hockey players at the school—that's high school bullshit I’ve never cared about—it’s because the more people see us together, the more I know our relationship isn't just between us anymore.

I don’t need anyone's approval. I just want to be able to hold my boyfriend's hand, kiss him whenever I want, and just... I don’t know. Have a normal relationship?

I deserve that, don’t I?

I’m not sure how this is all going to work. Soon, the school will know Bishop and I are together. When Toby is ready to take this step too, people are going to talk. I already know that.

And while I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks, Toby is afraid for me. I love him for it, but I also hate that his brain works that way; it’s the reason why we’ve lost so much time.

I’m glad we talked, that he opened up to me again and let more of that vulnerability in. It shows me he wants this, that he trusts me, that he’s trying.

So that's why I don’t feel too bad about starting things without him. When he’s ready, we can be the same way.

All that matters is I have him.

My phone pings and I pull it out of my pocket, grinning when I see a text from Toby.

Toby: Thinking of you. Like always. Be a good girl, okay?

My core heats.

Me: You know me better than anyone, Mr Munro. When am I ever a good girl?

Toby: You and I both know you’ve always been a good girl, Lilly.

I grin, biting my lower lip.

Me: Things change, big guy. You’ll see.

Toby: Can’t wait.

“Is that your boooyfriend?” Bishop teases.

“Stop it.” I laugh, shoving him with my shoulder. “And yes. It was.”

Bishop smiles down at me. “Are you happy?”

“Yeah.” I nod, voice soft. “I am. I know this will take a lot of work, but I’m excited. It’s nice, you know?”

“What is?”

I sigh, looking away as we continue to walk. “To not be sad. To not hurt. To not worry if I’m going to feel alone and rejected for the rest of my life.”

“Lilly,” Bishop growls.

“It’s fine.” I give him a reassuring smile. “Really, it is. I promise.”

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