Future Hopes and Past Secrets–1
We pull up to a parking lot, a park in front of us.
I unbuckle my seatbelt, but Aiden grabs my hand and keeps me there. He looks down at our fingers and smiles. “I want to tell you something before we join everyone else.”
Worry creeps up my skin. “Is something wrong?”
He lifts his eyes to mine and shakes his head. “No. The complete opposite.”
There’s a moment of silence, like peaceful clarity. His lips tremble into that beautiful smile of his and I swear I see tears in is eyes.
“UCLA told coach they’re interested in me.”
My mouth drops open and I reach for him, wrapping my arms around him. “Aiden. That’s amazing.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. “It doesn’t mean anything yet.”
I pull away and hold his face between my hands. “They’re interested, Aiden. This is how it
all starts.”
“They’re going to watch me the rest of the season and see how I hold up, but if I play like I played today, I’ll finally have a plan for my life.”
My stomach swirls with excitement and I kiss him, pulling on his hair to bring him closer to me until the air I breathe is his skin.
He kisses me back, his tongue in my mouth and his hands beneath my shirt.
His sweet affectionate touch, finally turns into a hungry grab that has me pulling back to
catch my breath.
He grimaces, leaning his forehead on mine. “God, Alina. I want to do so many things to you right now-”
“Yes,” I breathe into him, gripping his arms.
“But we have to go out there, they’re waiting for us.”
1/3
9:22 pm
Future Hopes and Past Secrets–1
I sigh, disappointed and pull away, smiling. “Let’s go then.”
He groans, playfully rolling his eyes as we get out of the car. Immediately I smell the smoke, and the next second I see the warm glow of the bonfire in the distance,
As we walk, hand in hand, I see how the team has gathered picnic tables and set them in a circle around the fire.
Pizzas and drinks are laid out on one table and all the other ones are taken up by the team and a few other people I do not recognize.
The moment they all spot us, the team breaks out in cheers.
“Captain! Captain! Captain!” They chat, stomping their feet on the ground and shaking
the tables.
Aiden smiles wide at them, shaking his head as he takes a seat on one of the picnic tables. His arm wraps around my waist and he sets me down on his lap.
It takes me only a few minutes to realize this isn’t some rager, loud party. It’s just the team getting together to wholeheartedly celebrate their win and their hard work.
The conversation flows so naturally, the guys complimenting each other and talking about what teams they think they will beat easily verus the ones they will have to fight for.
I watch Aiden talk, give his opinion and my heart bursts with a new wave of affection. He uplifts them, and by the way they listen to him, I can tell they think the world of him.
At one point, the conversation breaks and Nikki nudges me to go with her to get food. Aiden lets me go and he talks with Parker and a few other players.
“I’m starving!” Nikki chuckles, grabbing a few slice of pizza and drinks.
“Me, too.” I don’t know why I lied, my stomach was too busy flipping around inside me
for me to be hungry.
“I’ll be at the table, I’m taking this to Parker,” Nikki walks away with a smile on her face and I find myself alone.
I exhale, grabbing a slice to keep up with appearances.
2/3
8.22 pm
Future Hopes and Past Secrets–1
“Hey.”
I look up, to Evan, one of the basketball players. He has a smile on his face and he reaches
for a ginger ale.
