When I arrive at the stadium, I see Ev sitting on the same bench where he was injured last week. He is holding a bouquet of roses. It’s the first time anyone has gotten me flowers.
When he hears me approach, he stands and holds the flowers out to me.
“I know it’s kinda cheesy to do roses, but I thought maybe you never got to have all the cheesy shit you should have experienced. Is it an asshole move if I say I’m kinda glad you didn’t? ’Cause now I get to be the one to give you all these first. So we can check getting roses off that list.”
I place a kiss on his cheek. “You’re not an asshole. You are very sweet. Thank you. They are so beautiful. And your notes… Ev, no one has ever said anything as nice and beautiful as you do to me. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Well, good thing I have one more note.” His eyes motion to the bouquet of flowers, and in the center I find one more rose-shaped note.
Four.
You. Are. Mine.
– Ev
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay.” My voice is thick with suspicion. What does he have up his sleeve?
“Will you not go to the homecoming dance with me?” He takes the roses from my hands and sets them on the bench. Then he steps close to me and grabs my face in his reassuring hands.
My hands instinctively wrap around his waist. I am enveloped by him. “That’s… I’m confused.”
“I know that homecoming would be a literal nightmare for you, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to go because of me. So, don’t go with me. Let’s go somewhere else."
“Ev, you have to go to homecoming. You’re nominated for king. And—” I try to shake my head, but he stop me.
“And nothing. I don’t give a fuck about a silly little plastic crown. I just want to be where you are.”
I open my mouth to respond, but I’m not sure what to say.
“Come on. I even dragged Gage into this anti-homecoming proposal. If you don’t say yes, he is going to be pissed that he helped me. Pretty please?”
And it’s that damn please that gets me. “Fine. Okay. I will not go to homecoming with you.” I chuckle at his silly proposal. But my heart-wings beat faster because he knows me better than anyone. I would hate to go to homecoming, with all the people and dancing. Can someone say social anxiety nightmare?
His goofy smile is infectious, his dimples making me melt, and the kiss he lays on my lips is searing. “Thank fuck, ’cause I would not have time to get a tux fitted.”
Our walks to the coffee shop have been one of my favorite times to spend with Ev. He leaves his car on campus and walks me to work each day. Then he gets a coffee, always a Leo, and walks back to campus for practice. He offered to drive me, but I enjoy the walk. Maybe when the weather turns too cold, I will take advantage, but not during the beautiful fall season.
“I have an idea.” His fingers laced with mine come up to his mouth, and he places a kiss to each of my knuckles. Our hands together contrast so vividly. My golden skin to his pale, rough skin.
“Oh no.” I flash him a sarcastic smile.
“Oh no is right. I want all your facts. Right now.”
I stop in my tracks. “No.”
“Yes,” he says as he steps in front of me.
“You can’t have them all at once!” I say louder than intended, and some nosy teenagers look our way.
“Why not?”
“Because…I…”
I actually don't have an answer for him. He raises his brow, daring me to try him. He sees my stubbornness coming out, but he also knows I can't resist him when he is sweet. He steps even closer, brushing his chest with mine. He grabs my hands and laces them behind his head. Then he grips my hips.
“You want me to beg? I’ll get on my knees. Right here, right now, and beg. In front of all these people…”
