Chapter 22 #2
"Nothing like this has ever happened to me.
It came on so fast I hardly recognized what I was feeling.
Love is supposed to grow over time, right?
But I fell for you almost from the moment we met.
I want to go to your games—even if I'm too loud and don't really like sports.
I want you to come watch me at concerts.
" A soft laugh escaped. "Still can't believe the first time you saw me play live was on that tiny stage at the hotel. "
"That wasn't the first time," he said.
I looked at him in surprise. "It wasn't?"
"Nope. I saw you back in freshman year."
"Where?"
"At orientation. You played that solo, and I was hooked."
Thinking back, I did remember the school asking me to play.
They wanted something classy. Violin seemed to fit that bill.
As a freshman, it was unheard of, putting the spotlight on an underclassman.
My parents both came because it was an honor, and they were proud.
I'd played on so many stages by that point I wasn't nervous, hardly remembered which piece I chose.
I knew it was something contemporary. The admin wanted classical, but I chose to do a song that I liked.
"Golden Hour by JVKE," Tolliver said. "I had to look it up right when I got home. None of the covers I found were like yours though."
He met my startled gaze.
"No one plays like you, Freya."
"But...we didn't even know each other then," I said.
Tolliver nodded. "I know. But that's when it all started."
What was he talking about?
"Hudson says I'm obsessed."
He shrugged.
"Maybe I am."
Did he mean obsessed with me?
"Even though I knew who you were, even though I wanted you to know me, it still took me all those years to talk to you. Which is crazy because I talked about you all the time."
"You knew me before the basketball incident?" I said.
He nodded.
"But you never said anything to me at school."
Another nod.
"You didn't talk to me."
"Too much of a chicken," he said. "Or that's what Hud thinks. He was too involved with himself, didn't know who you were. He had no idea how far out of my league you are."
I scoffed a laugh. "Yeah, right."
Tolliver stared silently.
"You're a hockey player, and you look like you look." He grinned at that. "You could have anyone you want."
"Not anyone," he said.
"Tolliver, please."
"Freya Kent is a star."
My ears drank in every word.
"And like a star, you deserve someone who shines like you." He scowled as if even the thought of what he was about to say next tasted bitter on his tongue. "Someone like Ryker."
I was still taking in everything he revealed, would need a day or two to marinate before it set in, but I couldn't help rolling my eyes at this final pronouncement. "About that, you hit me with your assumptions and left before I had a chance to process. Tolliver, I'm not into Ryker."
"You're not?"
"No, I'm into you."
Tolliver squinted at my face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, absolutely, one hundred percent." I looked him straight in the eye. "I don't want you to step aside. I don't love Ryker Cordova. I never did. I love you, Tolliver Stone."
I raised my shoulders in a helpless shrug.
"And I know we're young, and maybe love changes over time. It did for my parents. But the point is, I think about you. I always want to talk to you. I love you. You're who I want, Stone," I said.
Tolliver showed no reaction at first.
Then his lips lifted into the most serene smile.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"I'm thinking this is the best dream I ever had," he said.
"Again, you're not dreaming."
He waved me off. "Sure."
I frowned. "What can I do to convince you?"
"A kiss wouldn't hurt."
I choked back a laugh. "Okay, but if I get sick before my mother's wedding, it's on you."
"Actually, you're right. On second thought—mmph."
I cut him off with a kiss.
My lips met his, and it was wonderful. His fingers tangled into my hair as I held his face between my hands. After kissing him, I slowly leaned back, hanging on until the last possible moment.
Tolliver's eyes were still closed when I opened mine to look at him.
"Well?" I said.
His smile was devastating. "I believe you, Dream Freya."
I shook my head as he leaned back against the pillows, taking the bear with him.
"Me and Mr. Bear are going to rest now."
"Mr. Bear? Very original. What's his first name?"
"Frolliver. Thanks for visiting."
I got up to leave then turned back. "I also wanted to ask: will you be my date to my mom's wedding?"
Tolliver's smile grew. "Of course, I will, Dream Freya. I love you so much."
The words made my heart soar.
"You do?" I asked.
"Love you," he said again.
"Maybe you're just saying that because you're tired. Or sick. Or confused. Possibly all three."
"Nope. I. Love. You. Kent."
"Okay, glad that's settled." Shaking my head, I couldn't fight back a smile. "I'll be back tomorrow, Stone."
He hummed deep in his throat.
As I was leaving, I could've sworn I heard him say, "Best dream ever."
Hopefully, he'd remember what we talked about.
But if he didn't, I guess I'd have to remind him.
I smiled as I left and walked to my car.
Love was a difficult thing to define. It was hard to know what it was and wasn't. I'd started to believe maybe each person had to figure that out and decide for themselves.
Telling someone you love them was more complicated than I ever would've thought—and yet, it was worth it.
So yeah, love could definitely be complicated.
But I was lucky.
So, so lucky.
Because loving Tolliver Stone was easy.