Page 49 of Of Flesh & Bone

Following Adam's instructions, I make my way through the large corridors lined with pictures of past championship teams and even a few Heisman trophy winners.Eventually, I come to the door marked A12 and go through it, making my way down the aisle to find my seat.The football guys have already taken the field, so I look around for Adam.Just shoot me now.I don't even know his jersey number.This shit is just embarrassing at this point.This is one messed up situation for me to be wholly possessed by this man, considering I only learned his last name yesterday and I still don't know what number he wears on his jersey.He sees me first and comes for me, snatching me off my feet in a strangling embrace.

"I missed you today, Wildcat."

"I missed you more, darling."

His eyebrows shoot up.

"Darling?"

"I'm considering several different options."

He lets out a low chuckle.

"Let's hear 'em."

"So I've got it narrowed down to darling, honey, sugar, babe, and what's your middle name?"

"What's YOUR middle name?"

"I asked you first, sugar."My southern twang is quite good for an East Coast native.

He pauses for so long that I start to think he'll refuse to answer.Finally, he says, "Hilton."

"Adam.Hilton.Davenport.Damn.If I didn't already know you were rich, I would after hearing that."

"Your turn, Eve."

"Do you even know my last name?"

"It's irrelevant."

"Ouch.That's super rude, asshole."

"So far, I prefer darling."

"You don't deserve darling when you're being an asshat."

"Your last name is irrelevant because you won't keep it after graduation."

"Oh?"The things this man is constantly doing to my heart cannot possibly be good for my health.I swear that I swoon/stroke no less than twice a day.

"Well, that's still pretty far off.You want to go nearly four years without knowing my last name."

"I graduate in less than a year."

"You think we're getting married after you graduate?"

"There's no think to it, Eve.We will get married after I graduate.If you want to push me, I can carry your ass to Vegas this weekend and put an end to this discussion right now."

"Adam, you're doing it again.You didn't even ask what I want."

"I know what you want.I don't have to ask."

Waterboarding.That's what he needs.Just a little waterboarding.It would straighten his ass right up.

One of the coaches blows a whistle somewhere off behind Adam.He doesn't turn around and instead continues to glare at me.

"It's Della.Eve Della Mason."

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