;to love and be loved is the happiness of life

"You have a good night?" I ask, taking a quick glance at my near absolutely wasted girlfriend.

She rolls her head against the head rest and gives me a lazy smile. "The best." she mutters. "So nice to see Cammy."

I nod, a tightening feeling in my chest at his words.

'Tell her or I will.'

I know he wasn't saying it to be a prick. He cares about Bella. He cares about me. And he definitely knows what I'm like.

I probably would keep it to myself until leaving day came - not to be a asshole, but because I don't wanna spent what little time we have left together being sad and worried about the future.

Tori Quinn is mine.

She's going to remain mine.

Always to be mine.

That's as simple as it needs to be.

But I also knew breaking the news wasn't going to be easy.

I also knew she'd make every sacrifice worth it.

Two days ago

"Dunk it, bro!" Eli yelled across the court. "Fucking dunk it, ya pussy!"

I chuckle as he damn near turns bright red screaming at Jason.

We've been in practise for a hot minute now and while Coach isn't here, Eli and Jason have decided to fuck around. Jason can't dunk for shit, and Eli's trying his hardest to perfect his three pointer throws.

I left my bag on the benches today because I'm heading straight home to shower due to Tori already being there as she's cooking for us all again tonight.

Luckily I did, as fate would have it - if you believe in that kinda shit - my phone started blaring up, echoing through the spacious gym air.

I hold my hand up to the guys and jog over towards my bag and fish out my phone. Internally groaning when I see it's my dad ringing.

Honestly, I was in two minds about completely ignoring him and going back on the court, but something tugged at me to answer.

I was kind of expecting him to call soon anyway. I haven't spoke to him since I gave him a mouth full about the way he was about Bella.

"Sup dad? I'm at practise."

He clears his throat. "Got some news for ya son." he says lightly. "You're going to the Bulls."

The fuck!?

The Bulls? As in Chicago?

"How do you know? Is it official?" I rush out.

My heart was pounding before because of the work outs, now it's damn right hammering, dying to beat it's way outta my chest.

"Official as official can be, my boy. You fucking done it!" he chants down the speaker.

"Wow. Fuck." Is all I can manager to say. I'm speechless.

"You're going to be a fucking Bull! -- Shit, I'm proud of you, Maddox. Really fucking proud."

Hmm, the only time he is proud.

"Thanks dad." I mumble back.

"Get back to practise. You need all the training you can get before you hit the big courts."

"Yeah. I'll speak to you later."

I hang up and drop my phone on my bag, my ass next to it, and my head in my hands.

How the fuck was I going to tell Bella about this?

That I was going to be twenty two hours away. 1.200plus thousand miles away and a whole new state.

Would she stay?

Instead of taking us back to the house, I take a sharp left and drive us back to the court I took her too on our first date.

I need to face it head on and pray she doesn't drop me like a bag of dicks.

Bella realises we aren't heading home when she turns to me with furrowed brows and the cutest confused look on her face. "Where you taking me now, Baller?"

I scoff playfully. "Baby, grow some patience."

She shoot me a glossy eyed, mocking glare.

Damn my baby's so sweet.

Following the road, I turn off my lights as I pull into the courts parking lot.

Laughing when Tori gasps, her nose damn near touching the window. "You brought me back to the courts?"

"Mhm. Jump out, lets have a one on one."

She snorts. "Always wanna one on one me when I'm wearing heels."

I roll my eyes and jump out, round to my trunk and pull out a basketball.

Without warning Bella jumps out and snatches it from my hands and darts towards the dimly lit courts.

"How the fuck you running in those damn heels?" I call after her, holding back a laugh.

She spins around and smirks at me, the ball in her tiny hands as she steps backwards. "I'm a bad bitch, that's how."

I watch as she raises her arms in the air and hurls the ball towards the metal clanking chains, the ball breezing through with ease.

"Boom!" She yells out, fist pumping the air.

How am I going to cope not having her around when I leave for Chicago?

How is she going to cope not having me around when I leave for Chicago?

Fuck, this shit is messing with my head like nothing ever has before.

I creep up behind her as she click clacks towards the bouncing ball, take her slim waist into my arms and sweep her off her feet, with a yelp then a bubble of laugher outta her I spin her around.

"Think you're a pro baller now, huh, Bella?" I tease, nuzzling my face into her neck.

"The pro-est." she shoots back.

Placing her back on the ground, I keep my arms around her waist as she spins to face me, bright ass smile on her plump lips, the green more vibrant in her eyes under the soft glow of the overhead lights.

So fucking perfect.

I take in a deep breath as I place a kiss on her forehead then replace my lips with my forehead. "Baby, there's something I need to tell you."

She jerks back from me and is no longer looking at me with love, but with curiosity and wonder. "What've you done, Baller?" She deadpans.

I shake my head with a lazy smile. "Nothing like that, fucking hell. I'd rather cut my own nut sack off then do anything behind your back."

Her smile returns but her dark brows are still furrowed. "Okay." She drawls out. "Go on, I'm listening."

I pull her closer, my thumb sitting on the small sliver of skin at her waist where her black dress cuts out. "I got news about my draft."

Her eyes widen with anticipation. "And?"

"The Bulls picked me. They're drawing up the contract and sending it through this week."

The biggest and widest grin appears on her lips, I capture it before she leaps up and wraps her arms around my neck, a gasp followed by a melodic giggle.

"I'm so proud of you! Congratulations, baby!" she beams. "Oh my god, the freaking Bulls!"

Pulling back she stares at me. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" she asks.

I shake my head. Fuck, damn near tearing up. "It means I have to move to Chicago before the semester is over, baby. It means I have to leave you."

Her shoulders slump and her eyes drop to the floor. Only for a beat before she slowly brings her hazel eyes back up to meet mine, her slender fingers glide across my cheek and cup it.

"This is your dream, Baller. You should be happy." She speaks softly, her eyes slipping between mine. "Hell, you should be over the freaking moon, the Bulls, Maddox!" her smile get bigger. "Please, don't be sad about this. I'll come visit you all as much as I can, we can Factime, and text. We'll be okay, I promise."

I can't help but breath out a half sigh, half laugh before pulling her back into me. Her head resting on my chest, arms wrapping my torso.

"I love you so fucking much, Bella." I mumble into the top of her head.

Her small fingers run up and down my spin in a gesture of comfort. "I love you so fucking much too, Baller." she says into my chest. "We're going to be just fine, don't worry." she assures me.

I'm so stupid.

Why was I scared to tell this amazing, beautiful, supportive, sweet as sugar, fine as wine woman about being drafted?

I should of known she'd be happy for me.

I should of known she'd support me.

I should of known she'd comfort me.

I should of known we'd be okay.

Because we will.

We will be okay.

She's got me, and I've got her.

My little Bella.

My baby.

The motherfucking Bulls, babyyy!!