With one final look between the two of us, he exits, leaving the door wide-open. I wait a few seconds, until I hear the heavy locker room door slam shut and then I’m up and on Brayden. “You didn’t tell me you were being auctioned off.”
Brayden groans. “It honestly slipped my mind until the dean walked in.”
“Why the hell would you agree to that?” I accuse, hurt as hell that my boyfriend would be willing to auction himself off to the highest bidder. “It’s bad enough we can’t even go on a fucking date, but now you’re going to go on a date with someone else.”
“It’s not like that,” Brayden argues. “It’s for a good cause.”
“So, I’ll donate to the fucking fundraiser.” I know I sound like a jealous asshole. “Back out.”
Brayden scoffs. “I’m not backing out. I already agreed to it. Blow your money on something else.”
“So, what? You’re just going to go on this date with whichever woman wins you? Take her to dinner? You don’t think whoever spends thousands on you isn’t going to be expecting to get her money’s worth?”
Brayden snorts out a laugh. “It’s for a fundraiser. I’m not being pimped out.”
“Might as well be,” I argue, grabbing my jacket and throwing it over my shoulders. I had a meeting earlier with the athletic department, so I’m dressed in a fucking monkey suit, complete with a tie and dress shoes.
“It’s not like that,” Brayden says, following me out of the office. I flip the light switch then lock the door.
“Whatever, Bray,” I hiss. “Enjoy your fucking date.”
“Stop,” he commands, grabbing my bicep and turning me around. He pushes me up against a wall and his body presses against mine. “You don’t think I want to show up to that function with you, arm in arm? You don’t think I hate that every night we have to hide out in your room, that I can’t post a single picture of us on social media? That the only people who can know about us are my parents and Ashton and Mia?”
His brown eyes sear into mine. “I love you, Drew, and I want to shout that shit to the fucking world. Let everyone know that you’re mine.” He sighs. “But we can’t. I have seven months of school left and then we have the rest of our lives to be together in public.”
Brayden eyes me for a few seconds, then says, “You don’t think I would cheat on you, do you?”
I close my eyes, hating myself for being insecure. I know Brayden is committed to me, but I also know up until a few weeks ago, he was straight, and if the rumors are correct, fucking lots of different women.
“Drew…” he prompts.
I open my eyes and he’s staring at me with hurt etched across his features. I hate myself for even considering the notion that he would cheat on me. Brayden loves me. He tells me every chance he gets and shows me every time we’re alone.
“No.” I shake my head to emphasize my answer.
“I wouldn’t.” He cages my face between his rough hands.
“I know. I just hate this shit. I’m sorry.”
“I do, too.” He presses his lips to mine. “But it’s not forever.”
I nod in agreement. “Yeah… You coming over tonight?” I don’t know why I’m even asking. Brayden has spent every night in my bed with me since the day we got together. Most of his clothes are in my drawers and hanging in my closet.
“Actually, I was thinking we should go out.”
“You know we can’t do that.” I take his hand in mine, threading our fingers together while we walk through the locker room.
“How about you go home and change into something more comfortable, and I’ll be over in an hour to pick you up.”
“Bray… You don’t have to do this.” I groan. “I was acting stupid.”
“No, you weren’t.” We stop in front of the entrance door and he palms my cheek and kisses me. “Now go home and get ready because I’m taking you out on our first official date.”
When I get home, the apartment is empty. I quickly change out of my suit and jump in the shower. As I’m deciding what to wear, Brayden sends me a text, telling me to dress casual. I get dressed in pair of nice jeans and a Henley. I throw on a pair of Chucks and put on my Tag Heuer watch—it was my first purchase when I received my signing bonus. I step into the bathroom, brush my teeth, and then spray some cologne on me. I have no idea what Brayden has planned, or how he plans to pull this off, but I’m excited nonetheless. I can’t remember the last time I went on a date.
When there’s a knock on my door, I chuckle to myself. Brayden never knocks. He and Mia might not officially live here, but they both come and go like they do.