Page 89 of Overtime Goal
Though I was pretty sure I knew the answer to my next question, I was still nervous about asking. “We’re exclusive, right? That’s what I want.”
He nodded. “Neither of us wants to see anyone else. Isn’t that what exclusive means?”
It took a second for my voice to work. “Yeah, and I’m so happy about it. I’ve never liked anyone enough to be exclusive.”
“I love you, Ade. In case you forgot since I said it the last time.”
“Me…” The damn lump in my throat was growing. “I love you too.”
A breeze stirred the napkin under Logan’s glass. From somewhere down the hill came the sharp rev of a scooter engine, followed by laughter echoing up through the trees.
“Should we tell people?” I asked.
Logan took a moment to answer. “Not yet.”
I nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“But I don’t think we should lie,” he said. “Especially not to the team.”
“No way. Those busybodies can smell a lie from a mile away, plus I don’t want to date anyone but you. Not even the fake-dates Frank sets up.”
Logan laughed. “It’s hilarious that you call them busybodies.”
“That’s what they are.”
“Yep,” he said. “Aidan Riley included.”
I snickered. “Logan Grayson too.”
“No argument. And I’m all for no fake-dates, though I have to say they’d be an effective distraction.”
What the fuck was he talking about? “The fake-date with Natalie was a distraction all right. It almost destroyed us.”
“Things are different now.”
“Maybe so, but I told you before I don’t want to keep us a secret. If I need a date, tag, you’re it.”
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. Besides, the boys would see right through it. So until we tell them, let’s not lie. We just won’t volunteer anything. Evasive truth-telling isn’t being dishonest unless it’s combined with lies.”
“Agreed. As long as you don’t think I’m trying to hide anything because I’m ashamed. I’m proud to be with you, and I don’t want to keep our relationship hidden long term.”
“We’re on the same page then.” He thought for a moment. “I came out a long time ago, but this will be a huge change for you. I don’t want you feeling pressured until you’ve had space to get your mind around how it will affect everything.”
“Right,” I said. “And what we have needs to grow naturally. It’s real, but trying to force things never turns out well.”
“Absolutely. For a little while, we need to let things happen without a spotlight on us.” He reached for my hand and linked our fingers. “Think we can pull it off? Keeping it quiet for a while?”
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “We’ve survived worse than curious teammates.”
He laughed again, and the beautiful sound wrapped around me like a blanket. “We’ll have to be smart because they’ll be wondering.”
“Let them wonder. So… what do we call this? Are you my boyfriend now, or is that too high school?”
“If you don’t call me your boyfriend, I’ll be very hurt and write you a sad poem about the deep dark sea.”
I laughed. “Please don’t.”
“It’s settled then.”
