Page 112 of Second-Rate Superstar
Frowning, my bubble burst. What did she see that I didn’t? “What do you mean?”
Cocking a hip, Bristol challenged, “Forever to go? Is there a ring you’ve got stashed somewhere? Because if so, we are breaking up. No more best friend Bristol for you, young lady.”
I sighed, carefully plucking the card from her grasp. I wanted to save his beautiful words, a reminder of his love when our relationship inevitably hit a hard patch. I wasn’t a pessimist, but rather a realist. All relationships had their ups and downs, and this would be what I looked at any time we faced struggles in the future.
“No. There’s no ring. I’m notinsane. We’ve been dating for five weeks.”
Bristol pursed her lips. “This note. These flowers. They’re not nothing, Dakota. He said the wordforever. How are you not freaking out right now?”
I shrugged before casually dropping a bomb on my best friend. “Because he loves me.”
My back was turned, and I was headed to inspect the roses in the kitchen when I heard her shriek, “What?!” When I didn’t answer, Bristol stompedto where I stood, grabbing my arm and turning me to face her. “Braxton Slatelovesyou? Did he say that?”
Trying to play it cool, I moved to the fridge. “We have pizza in here?”
“Dakota Elise. I swear to God, you better cut the shit and spill.” Bristol’s breaths came in sharp huffs like that of a fire-breathing dragon.
Slamming the fridge door shut, I leaned against the counter. “Yes, he said it.” I smirked. “But so did I.”
Bristol’s jaw dropped. I would lay good odds that she hadn’t seenthatadmission coming. When she finally worked through what I said, she let out an ear-splitting scream, and I was forced to cover my ears to protect them.
When she finally came up for air, she jolted as if struck by lightning. “Wait. You didn’t—Oh my God, did you?” Scanning my face with her sharp gaze, she must have confirmed what she was looking for because she gasped, covering her mouth. “You so did! You slept with him!”
Heat rose to my cheeks, and I ducked my head. “Maybe?”
Scoffing, she countered, “Oh, there’s nomaybeabout it, missy.” Dragging me to the couch, she threw me onto it before sidling up to me, tucking her legs beneath her. “Tell meeverything.” She groaned. “I cannotbelieveyou lost your virginity in Jaxon Slate’s summer home. I was low-key obsessed with that man from the ages of ten to sixteen.” Bristol smiled dreamily. “My first ever hockey boy crush. And now he’s going to be your brother-in-law!”
A squeal flew past her lips, and I could only blink at her. She was running through every human emotion known to man, and it was quite the show.
“Okay. Maybe slow down a minute.” I tried to settle her enthusiastic bouncing with a hand to her knee. “Like I said, there’s no ring. No one is getting married anytime soon.”
Bristol gave me a look that saidget real, right before she challenged, “So, you’re saying the man is talking about forever, but there aren’t wedding bells in your future?” Her voice was full of sass.
I blew out a heavy breath. “I didn’t say that.” Oh, boy. I knew this next tidbit was going to send her through the roof. “He’s already pictured us with kids.”
“Kids!” Her blue eyes went comically large. “Holy shit. What the hell happened in Minnesota?”
“It was pretty magical,” I mused.
Bristol closed her eyes before taking a cleansing breath in through her nose, letting it out through her mouth. “Okay. Give me a second because my brain can’t keep up with how fast you’re hitting me withlife-alteringinformation.”
Grinning, I couldn’t argue. My whole life had shifted on its axis these past few weeks, and I wasn’t sorry. I was finally letting myself live. The future was ready and waiting to be written, and I couldn’t wait to see how our story panned out.
Placing a hand to her chest, Bristol opened her eyes. “Okay. First question.” I nodded, so she continued. “Did the ‘I love you’ happen before or after you let him take your V-card?”
“A little bit of both.” I knew that wasn’t much of an answer, but it was true.
“Spit it out, woman!” She was losing her patience with me, and I couldn’t blame her. It was too much fun to rile her up.
“He’s mentioned big feelings for me in the past, but something clicked while we were away. Christmas was magical—hewas magical—and I finally let myself analyze how he made me feel. So, I knew for certain I was in love with him before suggesting we have sex.”
“You?” Bristol stared at me in disbelief. “Sweet, innocent, never-been-kissed Dakota propositionedhim?” My smirk was all the confirmation she needed, and she muttered, “Damn. I thought you just got carried away. Hockey boys know how to fuck. And they like to do it often.”
“Cheers to that.” My cheeks hurt from smiling so wide. Being in love was fucking awesome.
Dazed, she whispered, “Look at you, you little slut. I love it!”
“Anything else you want to know? I have a book that’s not going to write itself waiting for me. And as you mentioned, the boys are home tonight.”
