After Rose won her second game, Sal invited everyone back to their place for a celebratory dinner. Grace had already prepared something ahead of time. All they had to do when they got home was heat it in the oven.
Vincent was still acting kind of weird on the drive back. There were too many quiet moments. She had a feeling she knew why, too. This was the first time he’d attended one of her high school games. Unlike her club games which were always on weekends, her high school games were mostly during the week. That’s why he’d never been to any of them. This was one of only two high school tournaments she had scheduled on the weekend the whole season.
Her club games were different. Aside from Alison, who was also on her club team, there was no one else from school there. Rose wasn’t sure if it was because of the way things had started off today and she was just being paranoid, but it seemed in every direction she turned there was a guy she knew smiling at her, just being friendly or even saying something silly. As harmless as it was since they were just school friends, Rose got the distinct feeling Vincent was bothered by it.
Because Rose and Vincent made it a point to not make their affection too obvious in front of Grace and Sal, they didn’t even hold hands in front of them yet even though it was obvious something was going on between them. Why else would Vincent drive down so often to see her? They still made a very conscious decision to not let any of the adults know just how serious things had gotten for them. Rose hadn’t even told Grace she was in love. They were both afraid they’d be watched even closer, or worse their time together would be cut down. So during the games while she’d continued to get attention from guys yelling out to her, she knew Vincent had been watching closely.
Today hadn’t been as pleasant as most of the times she’d spent with him. She was sure it was because of the way the day had started and because she still had that damn Facebook picture on her mind.
As soon as she got home, she excused herself to go change out of her uniform in her room and told Vincent she’d take a very quick shower. He and Lorenzo went out back where everyone was already setting up to eat in the back patio.
The second she was behind her locked bedroom door, she jumped on her bed and powered up her laptop. Of course it felt like it took an eternity to start up. Her heart was beating faster, and the hurt set in even more now. She really thought Ben was her friend. She would’ve never thought he’d purposely put her in a position like this. It made her sad that she would probably have to not only unfriend him but block him as well. She just hoped doing so wouldn’t make things get ugly.
When her computer finally powered up, her fingers typed away frantically, and she signed on to Facebook. To her surprise and enormous relief the picture and post were gone. But she had a private message from Ben. She opened it and read:
Rosie, I’m not sure if you saw it or not, but in case you did I want to apologize. It was stupid and immature of me to do that. I was worked up, and after mentioning to my friends that I should do it, they egged me on. Like an idiot I gave into peer pressure and did but felt like a dick almost as soon as I did. It was only up for a few minutes (a picture of me and you at prom last year, in case you don’t know what I’m talking about) I hope your boyfriend didn’t see it. If he did and he’s mad, I’m truly very, VERY sorry. I promise I won’t do anything like that again. Am I forgiven?
Ben
Rose smiled, so relieved that she wouldn’t have to block or even unfriend him. This was the Ben she remembered.
Her response was quick, short and to the point:
Yes, I saw it, and thank you for removing it. As long as you’re promising it won’t happen again, you’re forgiven. I wasn’t just angry, Ben. I was hurt because we both knew what your intentions were. Please never do something like that again. I’d hate to have to block you.
With the weight off her chest she showered in a much better mood and walked out to meet Vincent. He met her just outside in the hallway. Glancing back once, he pulled her to him then took a few steps forward, pinning her against the wall and kissing her deeply. Stunned, Rose pushed her hands against his chest. “Vincent, did you forget where we’re at?”
“They’re all outside eating,” he said quickly. “You love me, right, Rosie?”
“Of course.” She stared at his eyes. They had that hint of worry she’d seen in them earlier.
“Why? Why do you love me?”
He searched her eyes. Rose could see it his; he wasn’t just asking, he really wanted to—needed to know.
She caressed his face with her hand as he waited intently, still staring deep into hers. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Do you know that feeling in your stomach? That craziness you felt the day you first held my hand?” Vince nodded, his eyes brightening. “Then again when you first kissed me?”
“And every kiss after that,” he whispered.
She smiled, nodding glad that he got it, too. “Exactly, I love that I feel that way all the time now especially when I’m with you but even when you’re not around. Even when I’m just thinking of you or my phone beeps or rings and I know it’s you. And it’s such a good feeling. It’s like that feeling of being in heaven never goes away,” she said, leaning into him and kissing him softly. “And not just because you turn me on either, okay?” She smirked. “But because since day one you’ve always made me feel like a princess. I never even knew that I’d love that, but I do. You always treat me as if I’m something so special. I almost believe it sometimes.”