Page 115 of Rookie Moves

37.

He wore number 12 at Whilton U, and I’ve always worn 73, but I know both of those numbers are already taken at the Gargoyles, and I never thought to ask him what number he’d wear if his wasn’t available.

Did he…

Did he take my number and reverse it?

No, it couldn’t be that… Could it?

I wipe my eyes with the heel of my palm as he poses for photos, then disappears off the side of the stage.

Dropping into my chair, I take my phone out of my pocket with shaky hands and message Callie.

Think I might be hyperventilating

Is the plan still on?

A few minutes pass before she responds.

Callie

Yep! Meet me on the concourse in five minutes!

There’s no hiding the smile on my face as I make my way down the stairs, heart so fucking full for the guy who deserves the world.

The sky has turned dark outside the window as I pace a hole in the carpet of Colby’s room. Callie managed to get hold of Colby’s room key, giving me the perfect opportunity to surprise him.

It’s been hours since he was announced as the first overall draft pick, and I’m still in a state of shock.

Not that I ever doubted him. Not for one second.

Colby is a rare talent. A player who will no doubt break records and rewrite history.

I freeze at the sharp buzz of a mechanical lock engaging, and I watch the door with wide eyes as it opens with a soft whoosh.

“Yeah, night,” Colby says, and then his eyes lock with mine, and his lips part on a gasp.

His feet falter, tripping on the carpet, and I’m rushing toward him before he can fall. He manages to catch himself on the wall, and the door slams closed behind him.

We stand there, silently staring at each other, and I wonder if he can hear how hard my heart is racing.

“Hey,” I say with a crooked smile. “Trying to hurt yourself already? What will the Gargoyles think about that?”

Colby blinks at me, eyes roving over my face like he’s not sure if I’m real or if he’s hallucinating.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Colbs,” I start, my hand still trembling as I graze my knuckles over his cheek. “Seeing you up there… getting the recognition you deserve… it was one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Colby sucks in a breath, his hazel eyes shining under the low light of the lamp.

“I’m sorry for hurting you. My dad fucked with my head, and I thought I was doing the right thing, but it ended up hurting the most important person in my life.” I take a step closer and slide my palm along his jaw until my fingertips are buried in the hair on the back of his neck. “I’m not trying to excuse what I did, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let me.”

I wet my lips and try to resist smirking when his eyes track the movement of my tongue.

“I want your face to be the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning. I want to be the person you come home to after a game, knowing you’re safe and protected.”

With a finger under his chin, I tilt his head up with my other hand.

“I want to be your boyfriend, Colbs, whether it’s out loud or in secret. I want to be with you, no matter what, because I love you. I love you so fucking much, it’s like taking a slapshot to the ballsack without a cup when I’m not with you.”