End Game (Bellevue Bullies 4)

“Oh,” I say, and I don’t know if I agree with that. It’s a distraction. They should be focusing on the game they’re about to play, not their phones. Within seconds, I can hear Amelia in my head. Whoa, calm down, Sofia. Not everyone trains and plays like a robot. And she’d be right. To each their own, but I don’t want to bother him.

“Do it.”

I try to ignore Amelia, but it’s hard because I want to text him. Tapping my forefinger to the top of my phone, I let out a long breath. What the hell? Opening a message with his number, I text him quickly.

Me: Hey, it’s Sofia. I wanted to wish you luck.

A text bubble comes up almost immediately.

Ryan: Hey! Thanks! Are you here?

Me: I am.

Ryan: Cool, now I have to make sure we win for you. Maybe I can score a goal for you.

He makes me feel like I just stuck a double layout off the bars.

Me: Since I’ve never seen anyone score a goal, much less the guy who is trying to date me, I think I might enjoy that.

Ryan: Trying? Accept it, Sofia, we’re dating.

A small laugh leaves my lips, and I roll my eyes. His cockiness drives me wild, and his eagerness for me leaves me breathless. Obviously, I haven’t ever felt this way, but it’s amazing.

Me: You haven’t taken me on a date.

Ryan: Don’t worry. That’s coming.

Man, I hate how excited I am for that.

Ryan: Will you wait for me after the game?

Me: Sure.

Ryan: Cool. Thanks again.

Me: Good luck.

When he sends me the kissy emoji, I’m grinning from ear to ear as my heart pounds in my chest.

“Well, that went perfectly.”

I give Amelia a side-eye, shaking my head and trying to calm my heart. It’s doing its own thing and leaving me completely out of sorts. I don’t know how to feel about it, but I just feel good. Which I guess is what you want when you’re dating someone. I can’t believe I’m dating Ryan. “So…question?”

Amelia leans on her legs, her face held in her hands she looks at me. “Yes?”

“He says we’re dating, so does that mean we’re boyfriend/girlfriend?”

She shakes her head, and I’m glad she isn’t judging me too much. I know I sound stupid. “No, when things are really good and you want to be exclusive, then y’all will discuss it and be only with each other.”

I look down at my phone. “So he could be with someone else?”

“He isn’t,” she insists quickly. “But yes.”

The thought of anyone else seeing those strong legs and the way he holds his shoulders back in such a sexy, confident way has me in knots. I want to be the only one to ogle him and to smell that mix of cologne and his own scent. This is all so much to take in.

“Don’t worry, Sofia, he isn’t seeing anyone else. I can promise you that.”

I nod. “I know, but it just…” I press my lips together, unsure what I feel.

“Makes you crazy to think of him with someone else? Welcome to dating.”

When she laughs, I send her a fast grin. “So it doesn’t get better?”

“Nope, not even kinda. Wait until you two are together.”

I cover my face. “This is all so confusing.”

“But sometimes, it’s worth it. Drew was worth it.”

I peek through my fingers at her. “You miss him?”

She shrugs, recrossing her legs. “Yeah, but he’s too far away, and then there’s Moon.”

Letting my hands slide down my face, I ask, “Do you not want to try long-distance?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. No point. We’ll never be in the same place again. But I do miss him.”

“Do you still love him?”

She thinks that over for a moment and then glances back at me. “I don’t think you ever stop loving your first love or remembering your first time.”

Her words hit me right in the chest. That will be me after Ryan, if I do what I want to do. Amelia doesn’t look miserable, but I know she misses Drew. That scares me. I don’t want to dwell on some guy, not when I have so much to do, but Ryan wouldn’t be so bad to dwell on. We are on two different paths, so I don’t know why I’m worried about this now. We haven’t even gone on a first date, and I’m already missing the guy.

What the hell is wrong with me?