Chapter 3
Wilbur looked so hot. It made me feel so safe.
I leaned into his chest, resting my head on his shoulder.
Honestly, my head wasn't hurting much anymore.
Wilbur looked down at me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes were soft, but his voice was sharp.
"That ball could have seriously hurt you. Why did you run in like that? Now look at you, got a huge bump on your head," he said.
"Don't worry, as long as you're safe. I'd rather it hit me than you," I replied.
I was impressed with myself. I could pull off the sweet lines without even thinking.
Wilbur was momentarily stunned.
I gave him my most pathetic puppy eyes, playing up how hurt I was.
Stuart facepalmed and shook his head. "Such a lovesick fool; you're beyond saving."
He herded the other guys toward the locker room to change.
Wilbur was still staring at the bump on my head.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked.
I nodded, putting on a sad face, my eyes glinting. "It might feel better if you kissed me."
Wilbur froze, not moving.
Stuart came out of the locker room in his change of clothes and yelled, "Come on, let's go! Go get checked for a concussion at the hospital. Stop flaunting your love in front of us."
Wilbur shot him an annoyed glare, then helped me stand up. As he did, he pressed a quick, soft kiss to the bump on my forehead.
My heart skipped a beat.
He had kissed me.
Did that mean our relationship was getting closer? That it was only a matter of time before he fell for me?
I felt like a flower blooming in my chest, light and giddy.
But after that, nothing really changed between us.
Wilbur was still cold and distant with me.
He'd text me back every now and then, but it was always just one line after I'd sent him a whole wall of text.
On the weekends, I asked him to go hiking, to the movies, or for a bike ride. He said he was busy every single time.
He was so distant; it made me question everything about myself.
I couldn't help but bribe Stuart again for answers.
I asked, "Do I even stand a chance with him?"
Stuart was chowing down on the smoked ham hock my mom had sent.
He managed to reply between bites, "Wilbur's been caught up with the investment challenge lately. Once he's got some free time, he'll definitely spend it with you."
I nodded, feeling deflated.
I went to watch Wilbur's presentation for the challenge.
He was wearing a sharp suit, tall and poised, looking every bit the polished businessman. It made my heart race.
The girls next to me were taking tons of photos on their phones, gushing about how hot he was, saying they were going to use the photos as their lock screens.
I felt a surge of pride. This was the guy I had liked for years, and he was my boyfriend. I couldn't help but grin.
Even just the way he casually flashed his watch made me blush and sent my heart doing somersaults.
If those long, slender fingers wrapped around my waist, I couldn't let myself think about it.
Suddenly, the room started buzzing with whispers.
It looked like Wilbur's PPT wouldn't open.
And the tech guy had stepped out.
I stood up and ran up to the front. The computer had a virus, probably from someone's infected flash drive.
"You sure about this?" he muttered.
He actually doubted me, a straight-A computer science major.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Just give me five minutes. Remember, you owe me a favor," I said.
"Fine. I'll buy you dinner," he replied.
"I don't want dinner."
"So what do you want to eat then?"
"You."
A faint blush spread across Wilbur's cheeks, his gaze darkening.
I had just figured out he blushed so easily when I teased him.
I smirked as I walked away, making sure to sneak a cheeky touch before leaving.
My fingertips slid from his palm to his wrist, and then I scampered off like I had done something wrong.
When I glanced back, I caught Wilbur giving me an exasperated yet totally doting look.
After the presentation, Wilbur stayed behind to talk with the judges for a while.
I waited for him by the door.
When he stepped into the shadowy spot behind the building, I popped out and took his hand.
Wilbur was caught off guard, but when he realized it was me, he didn't pull away.
I swung his arm playfully.
"You said you owed me a favor," I said.
"Yeah. I'll buy you dinner," he replied.
"I told you I don't want dinner."
"Then what do you want? A gift?"
"I don't want a gift. I just want you. Let's go to the trees over there and make out for thirty minutes. What do you say?"
As soon as I said that, Wilbur stopped in his tracks.
He never knew how to handle how forward I was with him.
I feigned annoyance. "What kind of boyfriend won't even make out with his girlfriend?"
I pulled him along with me, and to my surprise, he let me drag him into the grove of trees.
I had only been half joking. I never thought he'd actually go along with it.
We stood under a tree, haggling over the time.
"Thirty minutes," I said.
"Five," Wilbur shot back.
"Twenty?"
"Five."
"Fifteen minutes?"
"Just five."
"Ten minutes, that's the lowest I'll go."
Wilbur said nothing.
Taking his silence as a yes, I stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him.