Page 32 of Strong Side

Clayton

Rocky and I are in his parent’s car as he drives us the thirty minutes to Imperial Beach where we’ll be spending spring break.1 “HEARTLESS” by PLVTINUM and Goody Grace rings through the speakers of the Chevy Cruze as Rocky sings along, and I can’t help but stare at the wide smileon his face.

It’s as if just being in California, being near his family, has unlocked the side of him that he keeps buried. The one he lets no one else see. The one I’ve only been privy to a handful of times. The one I’d sell my soul to see every morning when I wake up and every evening when I go to bed.

Whoa. That thought was a new one.

His aviators cover his eyes as he drives, but I can see the smile lines peeking out the sides as he sings, not even ashamed that his pitch isn’t remotely in tune. His hands tap the top of the steering wheel to the beat, and I have to force myself to look away, fully aware I’ve had my eyes locked on him for the last two minutes.

But I can’t help it. He’s just so fucking pretty.

Nevertheless, I look out the passenger window and admire San Diego Bay as we drive down Highway Five toward Rocky’s childhood home. My phone vibrates in my lap, and I open it already knowing it’s a message from Jax.

Jax

Good game today! The two of you were dialed the fuck in. Looked like a hot one, though; make sure you replenish your electrolytes for… later.

Clay

What exactly is “later”?

Jackson totally knows there’s something going on between Rocky and I. My best friend is quite literally the smartest person I know and not a whole hell of a lot gets past him. So, even though I haven’t told himmuch,he definitely knows we're more than just partners at this point.

Jax

Some team bonding if I had to take a guess.

I curl my lips in and try not to bust out in laughter.

Clay

Here’s what’s going to happen, Jackson. We’re both going to pretend I have no idea what you’re talking about and I’m going to pretend that I didn’t see you coming out of Theo’s office two days ago when you had no reason to be in there. Deal?

Three gray dots appear and disappear a couple of times before his message finally comesthrough.

Jax

Okay, well played.

Have fun bonding.

I roll my eyes and smile as I lock my phone and set it back in my lap, forcing myself to think about all of the ways Rocky and I could possibly “bond” this week.

I booked a hotel suite for the two of us at a resort right on the beach, hoping we would havehoursof uninterrupted time over the week foractivities,but one look at Rocky with his family and I knew he’d prefer to spend the week at their home.

I’ll still keep the hotel just in case though. With any luck, I’ll get to steal him away… at least for a night.

I’m not sure what happened today, but something about being around Rocky’s family… being around Rocky the way he was today… seems to have set me on edge. And I’m not entirely sure if it’s in a good or bad way.

Rocky’s words of praise had me digging deep through the whole game. My passes were perfection, my hits were lethal, and my serves hit the mark almost every single time. I was on fire. But, beneath it all, I felt a wave of anxiousness rolling through me.

Between hearing Rocky’s family cheer me on from the stands—people I had literally known for five minutes—and Rocky’s upbeat enthusiasm, it almost felt like too much to handle.

They were all just so… so…supportive.

And as grateful as I am for it, to have people behind me who want the best for me—whoseethe best in me—I don’t know how to handle it.

I’ve never had that in my life. Never. Not once.

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