“Don’t leave me.” His voice is strained and broken.
It feels like I’ve been punched in the gut. “You think I’d leave you?”
He hesitates for a second. “No, but…Look, I know how pathetic I must look right now. I’m a college hockey star who had everything going for him. And I’m on the verge of losing it all—college, hockey, career, everything. I’m sure there’s going to be a ton of comments online insulting me for what I do in my personal life. So I’d understand if you don’t want to be exposed to that.”
“I don’t care about any of that,” I say. I hold his gaze. “Blake, I don’t care what anyone says about you. I know the kind of person you are. I know your heart. I’ve seen the kind of son you are. The teammate you are. The friend you are. Yeah, you’re great at hockey. And yeah, you make a fantastic thirst trap.”
The corner of his mouth tips up in an almost smile.
“But what matters more is that you’re a good person.” I press a soft kiss to his mouth. “You’re the best person I know.”
An intensity I don’t recognize flashes in his gaze. “You mean that?”
“I mean it, Blake. With everything in me.”
Emotion surges in my chest as I look at Blake. My boyfriend. My best friend.
That pressure behind my ribcage expands, climbing higher the longer I gaze at him.
This feeling…it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before for anyone.
I feel like my heart is too big for my body. I feel like my lungs are aching with each breath I take.
Seeing him in pain makes me ache. I want to take it away. I want to protect him and keep him safe, just like he’s done for me countless times.
I want to hold him in my arms forever. I want to be by his side through all the bad things and good things that will ever happen to him.
I can’t picture ever leaving him. No matter what, I’m his. Forever.
Because I love him.
My breath catches as the words bounce around in my head, as I let the realization wash over me.
Of course I love Blake. I’ve loved him as my friend when I was fourteen.
And now that we’re together—now that he’s my boyfriend—I’m so in love with him, it hurts.
He’s always held a piece of my heart. I’ve always wanted him.
And now I have him.
I never want him to question my feelings for him. I never want him to doubt that I’ll stay by his side.
I need to tell him how I feel about him.
I take a slow, quiet breath to steady myself.
“Blake, there’s something I need to tell you.”
His eyes widen, like he’s bracing himself for more bad news.
“I love you.”
I say it quickly, so he can’t spend another second worrying or speculating.
His mouth parts open, and I hold my breath. I’ve never told a guy that I love him. I’ve only ever said it to my family.
But I’m in love with Blake, and I want him to know that no matter what happens, I’ll be with him. I’ll be his forever.
