“Emma isn’t a huge fan of keeping it real when it comes to her life.” Relief floods me. I don’t want Tori to take sides. That’s not what this is about.
But it’s nice knowing she agrees with me when it comes to Emma—and is standing by me.
“Oh, I know. And she said pretty much the same thing. I FaceTimed her later and we worked it out.” Her smile is small, but I can tell she’s pleased with herself. “I told her she needed to apologize to you for being so rude and taking out all of her frustration on you. She totally agreed and said she’d talk to you today.”
My mouth falls open again. What is even happening right now? I feel like I’m living in some sort of alternate universe. One where I don’t get in trouble for sneaking out of the house to see my boyfriend, Beck Callahan.
One where I hear Emma feels bad for treating me terrible all the time.
It’s so weird.
And so great, all at once.
“I have something to tell you,” I announce.
Tori’s expression turns eager. “Ooh, what is it?”
I tell Tori everything that happened last night between Beck and me, and how my mother caught me sneaking into my room. The argument, and the eventual compromise. By the time I’m finished, Tori is bouncing in her seat with excitement.
“You and Beck are official-official?”
I nod, barely able to contain my smile. “We are officially official.”
“Oh my God!” She grabs hold of me and gives me a hug, squealing in my ear and making me wince as I pull out of her arms. “I’m so excited for you! You two are the cutest couple ever. Now we can go on double dates! Dom and Beck, you and me.”
I laugh. “So Dom and Beck are dating now?”
“Ha! You know what I mean.” She shoves at my shoulder. “Let’s go find our dudes.”
We find them hanging with the usual group in front of the school, the warm sun glinting off of Beck’s hair, making the threads of gold shot through the dark strands look even brighter.
I come to a stop for a moment, blatantly admiring him. My boyfriend is really good looking. Like heartbreakingly so.
When he glances in my direction, he does a double take, his lips curving into a secretive smile. He leaves the group to meet me halfway and I forget about Tori. I forget about everyone as he holds out his arms and I walk straight into his embrace.
“I missed you,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead.
I press my face into his shirt, inhaling his clean, masculine scent. “I just saw you a few hours ago.”
“I know. Still missed you.” He drops another kiss on my forehead, pulling away so he can smile down at me. “Good morning.”
I beam up at him. “Good morning.”
“Hello, Mr. Callahan,” Tori says teasingly as she approaches us.
“Victoria.” He nods in her direction. “Dominic is waiting for you.”
“You’re showing him up, greeting your girl like you just did,” Tori says, just as Dom comes over to where we’re standing.
“Stop making me look bad,” Dom says to Beck, slinging his arm around Tori’s shoulders.
“Can’t help it,” Beck says, positioning me so my back is to his front. “Can’t get enough of her.”
Dom rolls his eyes. Tori actually applauds.
I can only smile, my entire face going hot.
Liam chooses that moment to walk past us, Danny by his side. They both sneer at us, Liam calling out, “Guess you win, Callahan.”
I go still, frowning. I can feel Beck stiffen behind me too, and not in a good way. “What was that about?”
A rough exhale leaves Beck and he dips his head, his mouth at my ear as he murmurs, “I need to talk to you.”
Without a word, we leave everyone, my hand in Beck’s as we head to a more private spot behind a giant bush.
“I need to tell you something, and you need to know it now before you hear it from someone else,” Beck says, his expression downright nervous. “Like Liam.”
My stomach swims with dread. “What is it?”
He glances to the side, allowing me to stare at his profile. He’s so pretty it hurts. The strong jaw, the sharp cheekbones and that mouth. A sigh leaves him and he returns his gaze to mine. “Dom and I went to lunch last week and we sat with Marcus and Liam.”
I frown. “Okay…”
“And Liam was talking shit, as usual. He made a bet with me that I couldn’t get with you by Halloween. And then he included himself in that bet and said he was going to try and get with you too,” he explains.
“Oh.” Well, that’s kind of shitty. “I’m guessing this was Liam’s idea?”
“And Marcus’ too.” Beck seems absolutely miserable. I can see it in his eyes. And it’s written all over his face. “I don’t know why I agreed to it. Dom said I was a dumbass.”
“You kind of were,” I agree.
He smiles, shaking his head. “Liam just pissed me off. I found myself agreeing to it even though everything inside of me was screaming not to.”
“Well, guess what?” I say, purposely keeping my voice light.
His brows draw together. “What?”
“You won, Beck Callahan. Guess it’s time for you to collect your prize.” I take a step closer, wrapping my arms around him.
“Are you saying you’re my prize?”
I tilt my head back to smile up at him, a sigh leaving me when he wraps me up in his arms. “Yes. It’s your lucky day.”
“Yeah, it is.” He dips his head, his mouth finding mine. “You’re not mad?”
“I’m glad you told me,” I whisper against his lips. He kisses me again. “If I found out from someone else, I probably would’ve been mad. And hurt.”
“Yeah. That’s the last thing I want to do—hurt you. It’s been killing me, knowing I agreed to that stupid bet, and I didn’t want Liam to be the first one to tell you. Or Marcus. I’m sorry,” he says.
“You’re forgiven.”
Beck kisses me again, his lips lingering. “I love you, Adds.”
I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of hearing him say that to me.
“I love you, too,” I tell him, just as the warning bell rings.
He grabs my hand and we head for the building together, a big smile on my face as people walk past us, most of them noticing our clasped hands.
Yep, we’re official.
Finally.
I’m about to head out to lunch with Tori when Emma approaches us, a guarded look on her face. “Hey guys.”
Tori and I come to a stop, standing side by side.
“Hey,” Tori says.
“Hi.”
We stare at each other, and it’s kind of awkward, but I’m waiting for something from Emma. An apology maybe? Though I need to give her one too.
“You going off campus for lunch?”
Tori nods. “We’re grabbing sandwiches at Raley’s.”
One of the local supermarkets in town makes the best sandwiches in their deli.
“Where are the guys?” Emma asks, glancing around.
“They’re reviewing tape,” I say. It’s their Monday lunch ritual to view the opposing team’s most recent play tape to prepare for the week’s upcoming game.