Page 79 of Play It Off

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, and my gaze goes to her pretty shoulders. Once the headache clears, I think I’ll spend the rest of the day kissing every single one of Sienna’s freckles, which is going to take a long-ass time.

Sounds like a great plan.

“Come on, Sienna. Tell me what I said.” I go to the bed, slipping beneath the comforter and tugging it over me at the same time I reachfor her hand and pull her into me. She gasps, her hands settling on my chest. “Was it that bad, baby? Did I embarrass you?”

“More like you embarrassed yourself a little.” She keeps her head dipped so I can’t look in her eyes. “You treated the Uber driver like your best friend.”

I chuckle. “That poor guy. I remember how big his eyes got when he saw me in his window.”

“He freaked a little,” she agrees, her head still bent.

I slip my fingers beneath her chin and tilt her face up, our gazes meeting. “Are you scared to tell me?”

She nods. “Kind of.”

“Because I said I was in love with you?” I raise my brows.

Her expression shifts into shock. “You remember?”

“I was playing with you.” Her face falls, and I rush to correct myself. “Just now, not what I said last night. I remember everything. And I meant every word of it too.”

Her eyes fill with tears, and holy shit, I didn’t want to make her cry. “You did?”

“Yeah. I did. Shit, Sienna. You’re crying.” I dab at the tears streaking down her face, and she closes her eyes, a watery laugh escaping her.

“Happy tears, Gavin. You ... you love me? Really?”

I nod, worried she might not feel the same. She never said it back to me last night. I definitely remember that and try not to focus on it too much. And so far, she hasn’t said it today either.

She’s making me nervous.

“I love you so much, I can barely think about anything else. Anyone else.” I cup her cheek, stroke my thumb over her skin. “You’re everything to me.”

Sienna stares at me with those big brown eyes, a trembling breath escaping her, and I brace myself. Preparing for the worst. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s probably too soon, and maybe I’m feeling needy after spending time with my parents last night. I refuse to believe that justbecause my parents aren’t great at showing me love means that I don’t know how to do it. But I do. I know I do.

And I know I love this woman.

“I’m in love with you too,” she finally whispers, and the ache in my heart eases. “I love you, Ga—”

I cut her off with my mouth, kissing her until the both of us can’t breathe. Until our bodies and our breaths and our hearts are so completely intertwined, you can’t tell who’s who.

Well shit. Who knew I could be so damn sappy once I found love? I sure as hell didn’t. I hope I never say this kind of shit out loud in front of my friends.

No. Scratch that. I don’t care if I sound sappy and lovesick in front of the guys. I am lovesick, and it might sound terrible, but I feel great. I have the love of my life in my arms, and she feels the same way I do. Life can’t get much better than this.

Well ... a national championship would be a nice way to end the season. But that’s coming.

I can feel it.

Sienna eventually pulls away from me, her hand going to her mouth, her eyes wide. “You made me forget I have morning breath.”

“How many times have I told you that I don’t care?” I reach for her again, but she rolls away from me, getting out of bed. She grabs her phone to check it, her face falling as she scrolls through what seem like endless notifications. She remains silent, continuously scrolling and reading, and unease trickles down my spine.

Worried, I sit up, scratching the back of my neck. “Everything okay?”

“Oh no,” she whispers, and my panic ratchets up.

“Sienna.” Her head jerks up at the serious tone of my voice. “What is it?”

---