AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They’re still so new, and I’m still crazy confused about so much in my life right now. Before today, I didn’t even know for sure if Bishop liked me back. I take a deep breath, pushing away all the worry and anxiety and, instead, just focus on answering his question.
“It was amazing.” I can’t help but smile. “We were racing and I lost, of course.” I laugh. “I forgot how to stop and was ready to crash into the boards, but he stopped me. We fell to the ice, and I landed on top of him. Then... well, one thing led to another, and we kissed. It was everything and now I know I’m falling hard for him. I’m afraid it’s all going to go to shit and he’s going to reject me, like Toby did. Even though he didn’t tonight, there’s still time and—”
“Lilly, breathe. You’re spiraling,” Jonas interrupts, putting his hands on my knee and giving it a gentle squeeze. I suck in a breath, thankful for his help. “Look, I might not know Toby all that well, but I do know Bishop. I consider him a friend, and he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would do all this for a girl he didn’t like. Even a friend as awesome as you. You’ve been friends for years, right? Think about it, was he ever like this growing up?”
I do think about it. He’s always been sweet, caring, and protective of me, but we were never like this. “No.”
“I think you need to relax and see how things go, moving forward. But he likes you, Lilly. Only a fool or someone who was blind wouldn’t be able to see it.”
“Thanks, Jonas.” I lean over and give my bestie a hug when we pull up to the dorm.
“Any time, Lills. You know I love you. You're my girl. Just not that way,” he jokes, winking at me. I roll my eyes, grinning brightly at my supportive best friend.
“Goodnight.”
The rest of the night, I try to pass the time by reading. Bee comes back an hour after I do and tells me all the old people drama.
We end up falling asleep around midnight, but I wake up around two, needing to use the bathroom.
Quickly, I head down the hall to do my thing and on my way back, I hear a noise from behind the guys’ door.
Inching towards the door, I concentrate on listening. “Lilly,” a ragged whimper sounds from behind the door, and my heart drops.
Worry fills me and I try the door handle, but it’s locked. I rush back to my room to grab their spare key and my phone before going back over.
When I slip into their room, I find Toby tossing and turning in his bed. Sounds of distress come from him and my worry for him grows worse. “Toby,” I whisper his name, and he replies by saying mine in a desperate plea.
At this moment, nothing else matters. I place my stuff on his bedside table and sit down next to him. “Shhh.” I brush the sweaty hair away from his forehead. His brow pinches like he’s in pain.
“Lilly,” he murmurs. “Lilly.”
“I’m here,” I reassure, tears spilling down my cheeks. I feel helpless. He’s in pain, and I want to take it away. What happened to make him have these night terrors, and what do they have to do with me?
I crawl into bed with him, and his arms wrap around me automatically, pulling me closely to him in a tight embrace.
Closing my eyes, I let him. Because even though this isn’t a good time, even though this man confuses the hell out of me, I would still do anything for him. There’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be than in his arms like this.
“Sleep,” I whisper, kissing him on the top of his pec. “I’m here.”
He lets out a heavy sigh, like all the demons are being swept away now that I’m here.
Every second that passes, I’m painfully aware of how hard it is to be this close to him and know he’s not mine.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I’m here.”
But right now, in the dead of night, in the pitch-dark room, I’ll pretend that he’s mine and I’m his. Because if this is all I can get, I’ll take it.
Chapter 27
Tobias
When I wake up, I know I’m not alone.
Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I take a moment to get my bearings. For a moment, I feared I fucked up big time and brought home a random puck bunny with me. The thought makes my stomach sink.
After the rink last night, Bishop and I went back to the hockey house. I thought we could hang out, but he avoided me as much as possible.
So, feeling bad for myself, I got wasted. Some of the puck bunnies were there and took every chance to flirt with me. I don’t think I gave them any indication I was interested, but they're relentless.
