I recognized his roommate, Colin, and a few of his teammates who came by often. Derek included a few loyal customers too, like Mr. Molino and his wife. No doubt their presence would keep the younger adults from going overboard. I was about to point that out to Derek when I noticed Jade surveying the room from a nearby table. She caught my eye and glanced away.
Great.
It was time to fix a couple of things.
“Hey, Jade.”
“Hi. Did you want anything? I’m not officially on the clock, but—”
“I don’t know if you’re mad at me or just protective of Liam, but I’m not going to hurt him. I promise,” I intercepted in a low voice.
She sighed heavily. “You’re a good guy, Drew. But a little clueless. Maybe you don’t mean to hurt him, but—”
“He’s my person, Jade.”
My words were exact and sure. Not a hint of question. I’d known it for weeks, but I’d tried to control the feeling. I’d kept the words close to my chest…so afraid of losing him that I didn’t take a chance. He was mine. Mine.
Her smile was wide and pretty. “Oh. That’s good, then.”
“I, um…yeah.”
I glanced around the bistro, looking for Liam as Jade chattered beside me. She kept saying “happy,” I think. Or maybe she was giving me advice. I couldn’t hear her clearly. I smiled wanly and stepped away.
I shook the ice loose in my glass, flinching when some of the liquid splashed over my sleeve. I turned to grab a cocktail napkin, but someone beat me to it.
“Can’t take you anywhere,” Liam chided, angling his chin meaningfully. “C’mon. I know where to find more of these.”
I followed him to a quiet corner of the bar in a daze, chuckling when he handed me a stack of napkins. “I think one will do. How’re you doing? Are you ready for a round of ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’?”
“Fuck, no.” He huffed in amusement as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to miss this place, though. I stayed two months longer than I thought I would, and I’m not sure I’m ready to leave.”
“Why quit then? I mean…you won’t start school till August or September, right?”
“Right, but I’m going to coach with Gabe and look into internships in my field. Truth is, I’ve put off giving notice on purpose.”
“Oh?”
He shrugged nonchalantly, glancing away briefly as he worried his bottom lip. “I was afraid it would change things for us and…I didn’t want that.”
I swallowed hard. This was it. I had to stop second-guessing and say what was on my mind. Everything had changed. But in the best possible way. I didn’t want to lose him.
“I love you,” I blurted.
Liam went perfectly still. He dropped his hands to his sides and stared at me with his mouth open as if he were in shock.
“You love me?” he repeated.
I nodded profusely. “Maybe this isn’t the best time or the right place, but I don’t think I’ve been clear about how I feel about you. Us. I’m fucking crazy about you, Liam.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And I didn’t want to fall for you.”
“Why not? I’m a great guy.” He reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. His tone was cocky, but his voice shook and his hand was unsteady.
And somehow, that gave me the push I needed.
“You are, but I told myself you were too young and that we weren’t compatible and a whole bunch of other lies when the truth was…I was scared that I might not be enough for you.”
“Not enough?” Liam gaped. “You’re everything to me. Everything. And you…you love me? Be sure, because I’m about to kiss you in front of these people. I won’t be able to take it back or tell them I was kidding or—”
“I love you.”
Liam set his hand on my hip and pulled me close, resting his forehead on mine. “I love you too.”
I snaked my arms around his neck and crashed my mouth over his. We swayed with our lips fused as the bistro erupted in a flurry of catcalls, wolf whistles, and surprised murmurs. I heard Jade’s exuberant “Yay! Finally!” and grinned against my boyfriend’s lips. I wasn’t usually one for public displays, but it seemed important to let him know I was proud he was mine.
This was still our moment and our beginning. If we lived to be one hundred and ninety-five respectively, I’d always remember the night we came out in winter.
Epilogue
“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”—Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Liam
“Hey, babe, do you know where my water polo bag is?” I called from the bedroom.
“Um, yes, it’s out here.”
I grinned at his muffled reply before checking my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a moron. Surely, Drew would agree. After he laughed his ass off. I lived for that spark of humor in his eyes and that sweet, knowing grin. He might give me the occasional “Seriously?” look, but we both knew he loved a good chuckle. The sillier, the better. Daily cat memes, pancakes made into Christmas trees in July…you get the idea. Squeezing my ass into the Pride jock I bought him last summer would definitely rank high on the goofy list. The straps were going to make indelible tracks around my ass cheeks if I didn’t hurry it up. And my poor dick was already gasping for air.