Page 49 of Unrivaled

He steps forward, and his arm goes around my shoulders and pulls me against his chest. I can’t help but inhale him, the warm smells of man, clean cotton, and citrus from some body care product. I wish I could stay like this indefinitely, the solid warmth of Grayson holding me, surrounding me, protecting me. Making me feel like I’m not alone in this gig for the first time ever.

Yes, my parents help out a ton, and they’re amazing and I couldn’t have done this without them. But they’re not partners.

Grayson isn’t either. Not really. Not like they are to each other.

Tears prickle behind my closed eyelids, and I blink them away quickly, stepping back and looking down to hide the sudden rush of emotion. I’m being ridiculous.

Fortunately, Grayson takes my reaction in stride and just squats down to give Ben a goodbye hug as well.

“Bye, Gray!” Ben’s voice is muffled against Grayson’s chest, and I wonder if and when Ben will start calling him Dad. Does Grayson want that? Is he going to insist on it at some point?

Though he hasn’t really seemed like the type to insist on much so far. Yes, he insisted on getting to see Ben, but I suppose I can’t really blame him for that. Otherwise, though, he’s been pretty go with the flow. I’m not sure I’d be as accommodating if I were in his shoes.

Another surge of warmth and gratitude fills me. He really is a good guy. And spending more time with him makes it easier to let go of the lingering bad feelings I had toward him.

But be that as it may, Ben still has to be my top priority. Pursuing a relationship with Grayson, especially now when things are still so delicate, seems like a surefire way to screw everything up.

* * *

It’s a Wednesday night, and while it’s unusual for me to go out on a school night, I decided to make an exception this time. After class, Autumn invited me to hang out with her and her friends tonight. Her roommate is dating a football player, so we’re meeting at Crowley’s, the local sports bar that’s apparently a favorite hangout of the football team.

I’d given her a noncommittal answer as she rushed off to her next class telling me to think about it and text her. But my mom encouraged me to go, saying that I need friends and that it’s good for me to go out and have fun.

She’s right. I know it. She knows it. Apparently even Autumn knows it. And it’s nice to have an excuse to get dressed up and put on makeup and feel good about myself. It’s been too long. Between classes and homework and taking care of Ben and being all twisted up in my feelings after that kiss with Grayson over the weekend, I need a night off.

When I get to the bar, Autumn stands and waves at me from the circular corner booth that she and her friends have already claimed. She has her pinky-purple hair flowing over her bare shoulders. Her strapless top looks more suited for summer than early February, but it’s pretty warm in here, so maybe she knows something I don’t.

I wore a long sleeve bodysuit under my favorite sparkly stretch velvet pants, so hopefully I don’t roast to death.

“Oh my gods,” Autumn says when she greets me. “You look amazing. Doesn’t she look amazing guys?”

She turns to her friends, both couples, for confirmation. The girls give enthusiastic endorsements, “Fucking hot!” shouts the one with long dark hair while the other giggles and shouts, “Yeah!”

Their boyfriends are more reserved, nodding along and murmuring their agreement. Smart men. Don’t want to be too appreciative of another woman in front of their girlfriends.

“Thanks.” I smile at everyone as I slide into the booth after Autumn and nod as she makes introductions. Piper’s the one who said I look fucking hot, and next to her is Ellie, Autumn’s roommate, who’s still giggling. I’m wondering if they either pregamed, or they’ve been here for a bit already. Piper’s boyfriend Cal has his arm around her, and Ellie’s draped all over Simon, the guy on her other side. They’re introduced as football players, and I believe it. They’re both big and broad and muscular, sorta like Grayson.

Suddenly the mood at the table shifts, and Piper’s eyes are fixed on someone behind me.

Turning, I look up to see Grayson looming over the back of the bench, as though just thinking about him conjured him up.

“Hey, guys,” he says lightly, loud enough to be heard over the bar noise. “Mind if I join you?”

“What do you want, Gray?” Piper demands, and I whip my head around, wondering what that’s about. Did they used to date or something and she hates him? Do I need to add her to my list of reasons not to get involved with Grayson?

Grayson’s sigh is audible as he takes the spot next to me, and I have to scoot over to make room for him, causing a ripple effect as the others all have to scoot farther around as well.

Piper glares at him. “That wasn’t an invitation to sit down.” Her boyfriend’s hand tightens on her shoulder, and I’m not entirely sure if it’s supposed to be support or trying to rein her in. If these two used to date, he’s clearly not threatened, because other than his hand on Piper’s shoulder, he appears entirely relaxed by Grayson joining our table uninvited.

For her part, Autumn looks like she’s thrilled to pieces by this development. She leans closer to me. “Don’t worry about them. Sibling bickering. They’ll get over it eventually.”

Ah, okay. They’re siblings.

“Not anytime soon,” mutters Piper, and Grayson sighs again.

“I actually came over to say hi to Tiffany,” he tells his sister, and his leg presses against mine under the table. Without waiting for a response from Piper, he turns to me, giving me a soft smile. “Hey.”

My cheeks warm under his affectionate gaze. Which is silly, but I can’t help it. “Hey.”

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