Page 14 of Waiting for Her

What’s an evenbiggerdeal is who is doing the article.

“It’s Bri,” I murmur, hoping our waitress is quick with my order of shots.

“Come again?” Cole asks, choking on his coke, no doubt wishing he’d be able to drink something a bit stronger right about now.

“What are the odds? Have you seen her yet? Talked to her?”

“Not yet,” I say shifting in my seat.

“How’s that going to work?” he asks but luckily I’m saved by the waitress bringing back the shots. I gesture to Drew and Savannah to take theirs as I tip back one followed immediately by another, not even waiting for everyone to join me. I barely feel the burn from the alcohol.

Bri was a fixture in our home so when she broke up with me, I wasn’t the only one who felt her absence. Cole considered her a little sister and my sisters, Maggie and Harper, thought of her as one as well. And Mia, well, she thought of her as one of her best friends. Our break up felt more like abandonment and we were all devastated.

“It’s Bri.” Mia says, both shock and confusion in her voice.

“Yeah, that’s what I said.”

“No, Grady. It’s. Bri.” Savannah says, nodding her head with wide eyes.

Mia’s eyes are narrowed, and Cole looks like he’s seen a ghost.

Actually, he’s not even looking at me. None of them are.

They’re looking behind me.

I turn in my seat to see what they’re all gawking at, and wouldn’t you know it, the object of conversation is right there.

Standing behind me.

Bright green eyes glistening.

Top teeth biting down on her plush bright red bottom lip.

Dark hair down, curling over her shoulders.

Beautiful.

To anyone else, she would look like she’s going to a St. Patrick’s Day party, but I know Bri. She has more green and white in her closet than anyone I know.

If I bleed the colors, she may as well paint them on her body. I’m sure it’s at least part of the reason she was chosen to do the story on me. She knows Warrior football better than anyone I know.

My eyes can’t decide which part of her to catalogue first. When I was younger, I was positive there was nothing sexier than Bri Jameson. It’s shockingly apparent nothing’s changed, at least in my reaction to her appearance. I take in the rest of her, wanting so badly to reach out and pull her into my arms. She’s grown into a beautiful woman.

“Bri,” I breathe out her name, stumbling like a moron to get out of my chair. The effects of two shots in less than a few minutes time hitting me more than I care to admit. Surprisingly, I have a low alcohol tolerance. With my size, one would think I’d be able to handle a lot of liquor. Not so much.

“Hi, Grady.”

The sound of her voice causing my heart to speed up triple time.

I haven’t heard it inyears.

Except for in my dreams.

Or nightmares, depending on the night.

And it still hits me direct in the gut.

“What am I missing?” I hear Drew murmur behind me only to be shushed by the girls.

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