Page 115 of Puck'n Bully

“You guys joining us for a party tonight?” Pavel asks in a loud voice. “Or do you want to cozy up in your love nest?”

“We’re coming!” I say, blushing hard but still smiling.

Someone whistles loudly. “About time you stopped being subtle, Bastian! Grab your boyfriend and come along!”

Hayden gives the guy a mock salute, still holding me in his arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Yeah, we’ll be partying until the sun comes up!” someone else hollers.

“Coach is going to be so mad,” Logan says, shaking his head.

Hayden chuckles. “Nothing new there.” His hand closes over mine. “Shall we go, babe?”

“Yeah,” I say with a nod and walk alongside him down the corridor.

“I love you,” Hayden whispers, kissing the back of my hand.

Warmth and happiness spread through me at those simple words. “And, I love you,” I tell him, smiling.

The Hayden who once did everything to hide me from his teammates has openly declared his love for me. We’re holding hands and walking side-by-side while his friends hoot all around us.

We’ve come a long way to reach this point but this is just the beginning.