College Boy [h.s]

Thirty Nine.

"I effing love you too."

"You remember that, huh?" I giggle, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Of course I do, my love."

I can't help the smile that tugs at my cheeks as I lay my head on his shoulder, entirely content with my life in that moment.

Harry's Pov

I can't help but think how lucky I am to have this wonderful person as she lays her head on my shoulder.

We had just verbally expressed our admiration for one another in the form of "I love you's" and I couldn't be happier that she felt the same way about me.

It's become very clear to me this isn't some short burst of infatuation or a simple fling with an ex. This is real.

I want to be with Teagan for more than just a few months. I feel like I could honestly be with her for a lifetime, but I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself here.

I'm just glad I can now tell her how much I love her without feeling as if I'm moving things too quickly with us.

We haven't had sex yet, and truly I'm not sure how I feel on that spectrum.

We're headed out to church here in about twenty minutes, and I'll make a mental note to speak with Pastor John about everything.

•••••••••••••••••

That afternoon, church had just ended.

Teagan had made friends with a woman named Glen, and they were busy chatting in the halls. I took the opportunity to approach Pastor John, and ask if he would mind having a few words with me.

"No problem, Harry. Why don't you come here in my office?" He asks warmly.

"Sure, thanks for talking with me," I thank him and he nods with a warm smile.

"Of course, of course. That's what I'm here for. What is it you wanted to talk about?" He asks.

"It's about my girlfriend, Teagan and I," I state.

"She's a nice young lady, yes. We've all loved having you two here these last few months," he says.

"Thank you, I appreciate that," I nod, and then a sigh escapes me afterwards.

"Is something wrong?" He asks.

That's when I break down, telling him about my deceitful marriage (that still wasn't officially over) as well as my sexually abused past and possible child on the way. By the end of it all I was rather choked up and John looked at me with much empathy and kindness.

"I'm always here for support and if you need someone to pray with. Of course I had no idea about any of that," he says once I'm done, laying a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you, that means a lot. But I came more for advice on something."

"What is it you need advice on, son?" He asks.

"My relationship with Teagan."

"Okay, about what part of it?"

"Physical intimacy."

"Okay," he nods, "have you two been intimate?"

"We haven't had sex yet, no"

"Is it because of your faith?"

"With Sarah, I had done everything so right y'know? And I waited to have sex with her and then it just ended in us filing for divorce because of what she did to me. Which is looked at in Gods eyes just as bad as premarital sex. My point, is that I love Teagan. I love her so much, and I think maybe that's more important than just signing a paper, yeah? Especially after what I went through."

"I think it needs to be something decided between you and God. You've been through a lot, Harry. He's really tested you in your life."

"Yeah," I nod. "I would marry her, Pastor. I would. In a heartbeat I'd marry her tomorrow. But of course I can't do that," I sigh.

He smiles gently at me, "Harry, I can see that you don't just want sex for selfish gratification but to have a close intimacy with someone you really care about."

"Yeah, that's true," I nod in agreement.

"You should do what you feel in your heart is the right thing. Pray about it and I think you'll get the answer you're looking for," he states.

"Okay," I smile. "Thank you, John. I really appreciated this."

"Of course, any time."

With that we exchange a friendly hug, and I thank him once again before exiting the small office and finding Teagan out in the hall, still engrossed in a conversation with her new friend.

I walk up beside them, the conversation continuing for a few moments more before she says her goodbyes to Glen and turns to me,

"Hey, you ready to go?" She asks, grabbing my hand gently in her own.

"Yes," I reply with a gentle smile.

I would go anywhere with you, my love.