Glaring, I don’t say anything as I watch him head into the locker room. I want to tell him he’s an asshole, but it doesn’t come out before he disappears behind the door. His words hit me in the gut, and I feel like I can’t breathe. While I don’t want to believe his words, I can’t help but think this is the reason why I didn’t want a girlfriend. I didn’t want someone controlling me the way my dad controls my mom. That’s why I’ve been solo my whole life; I don’t want to depend on someone and then have them fail me. But for some reason, with Claire, I forget everything.

Finally finding my footing, I head off the ice and then to the locker room with Matt’s words replaying in my head. Maybe I rushed into this, but as soon as I think it, I want to take it back. It isn’t like that with Claire. She’s a cool chick, relaxed and fun. She wouldn’t do what my dad does to my mom, and I know that when I’ve only known her for maybe a week.

Be you, Jude.

Right. Jayden is right. That’s all I need to do. Stop worrying about what other people say and just be me.

After my first class…

Me: Did you know that apparently since I’m dating one girl I’ve stopped partying?

Claire: It happens like that?

Me: Apparently. Stupid, huh?

Claire: Not as stupid as what this girl just said to me.

Me: What did she say?

Claire: She said that I’m a witch and I’ve obviously hexed you. I told her actually I was a bitch and that you like that about me.

Me: LOL! My God, where do these people get this shit at?

Claire: No clue, total weirdos.

Me: Couldn’t agree more. Am I going to see you today?

Claire: I have classes until 4 and then I have practice and then I have to go to work with one of my solos then I have to study, so unless you can meet me somewhere, I don’t think so.

Me: I’ll meet ya at the rink for a quick kiss so you don’t forget the feel of my lips, you being busy and all.

Claire: I could be the president of the US and still would never forget the taste of your lips, Jude Sinclair. I’m counting down the hours till I see you.

Me: I can’t wait.

After my second class…

Claire: So did u know that u have a 19 inch dick?

Me: WTF?! I mean I’m hung but not like that

Claire: Yeah, that’s why u wouldn’t stay with anyone cause u broke all the poor vaginas on campus.

Me: Are u fucking kidding me?

Claire: I’m as serious as a heart attack. I hope ur laughing though cause I was laughing so hard she flipped me off and walked away.

Me: LOL, ur nuts.

Claire: I’m here all week.

Me: Oh no, I get you way longer than that.

Claire: We will see.

Me: No need to see baby, I know it.

Claire: :)

During my third class while my teacher was grading tests, I texted Claire again.

Me: Did u know I get to see u in approximately an hour and 23 minutes?

Claire: Did u know that I am very excited about that?

Me: I didn’t know that.

Claire: Well I am.

Me: Good.

It was easy to say I was grinning the rest of the period. As I started toward the rink, my phone sounded, and I pulled it out to find another text from Claire.

Claire: So guess what I’ve decided?

Me: What? U want to have sex today instead of waiting 13 more days?

Claire: LOL! No…Jesus, get ur head out of the gutter.

Me: Hard to do when it comes to u.

Claire: Haha. Anyway, I’ve decided that when people say ur name to me, I’m gonna ignore them. Act like I don’t even hear them.

Me: Let me know how that goes.

Claire: Will do, but in the meantime, check out “Don’t Matter” by Akon. It’s our jam right now, I’ve decided.

Me: I’m downloading it now, are u on your way here?

Claire: Yeah, changing now.

Me: Which means you’re naked? ☺

Claire: Bye, Jude.

Laughing, I tuck my phone in my pocket and open the door to the rink before heading to the gym where the girls usually practice. As I walk, I listen to the song and find myself grinning that she sent me a song about how we’re gonna ignore the haters and enjoy each other. It’s sweet and I decide that I’m going to look for a song to send her. I first find a spot outside the gym and drop down onto a bench before doing that. When I find a good one, I save it and decide to wait till later to send it to her since I know she’s on her way here. With nothing to do, I check my Facebook. I’m deleting messages from, you guessed it, girls who want to yell at me since I won’t answer their phone calls, when a shadow appears in front of me. Looking up, I find that Rachael is looking down at me, her hands on her hips.

“Can’t answer my text?”

I shrug. “Phone isn’t in service.”

“Forgot to pay your bill?” she asks sarcastically.

“Yeah and decided not to hook it back up,” I answer, matching her tone.

“You’re such an ass. What’s up with you? And what’s this crap about you dating Claire Anderson?”

I shrug again and decide to do what Claire said she’s gonna do. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

She glares and then shakes her head. “Fine, be an asshole.”

She walks away and I look back down at my phone to continue deleting messages. Just as I’m finishing, a text comes in from Jayden.

Bro: Wanna play some pickup at the tennis courts?

Me: Yeah, I answer back. Give me 10.

Bro: I’ll grab your bag.

“Texting someone special?”

I look up to find Claire grinning down at me. Her hair is in a braid down her shoulder with a black bow clip thing holding her bangs out of her face. She’s wearing short black shorts, her legs so long and delicious. She also wears a thin white Beatles tee that hangs off her shoulder; underneath it I can see her black sports bra, and my fingers itch to be on her. Standing, I tuck my phone in my pocket, wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her in close. Without answering her, I capture her mouth with mine, kissing her slowly and seductively, showing her how much I’ve missed the feel of her lips against mine.

Running her hands up my arms, she snakes them behind my neck, taking a step forward, molding her body to mine. Texting her all day has been freaking awesome, but feeling her, touching her, and just breathing the same air as her is the ultimate high. Everything Matt said before is completely gone. Nothing matters but her and me, and I know that I am in a good place. That I made the right choice. She’s the girl I’m supposed to give up everything for, and I’m fine with that.