Page 48 of Stroke of Fate

Knowing she’s wearing it makes me want to stand up and beat my chest like a damn gorilla in front of everyone.

She’s mine, assholes.

When her eyes find mine in the crowd, they widen in surprise. Being on the swim team hasn’t exactly come up in our conversations, so I’m sure she wasn’t expecting to see me.

I wink and mouth, “Nice hoodie,”which causes the cutest fucking blush to creep up her cheeks.

Mack elbows me, murmuring under his breath, “Do you know her?”

“Yeah,” I reply, keeping my voice low.

He probably expects an explanation, but Coach chooses that moment to speak.

“Christ, can everyone stop babbling and pay attention!” He shouts, and I notice Bear wince at his loud tone.

To anyone not used to his attitude, Coach can seem like a real ass, but the man says things how they are, no beating around the bush.

“Like I said, these two have a project. I’ll let them explain, but they need two volunteers,” he says. “And since I can already foresee what a shitshow this will turn into, I’ll let them pick who they want to work with. So, you two, come up here.”

Bear and the guy she walked in with go to stand on either side of Coach.

“Now,” Coach says, turning to the guy, “You are Mr. who again?”

“Evans, sir.”

“Right, Mr. Evans here has already picked Cone Head.”

Cone Head and Evans nod at each other like they’re already on familiar terms.

And no, his real name isn’t Cone Head. He got his head stuck in an orange cone at a meet once, and the fire department had to cut him out of it. The nickname just stuck around.

“Next up, Ms. Miller, was it?” Coach asks, and Bear nods in confirmation. “Any idea who you want to work with?”

I swear, the man has unlocked a whole new personality—his voice is the lowest I’ve ever heard it.

Bear’s gaze flicks to mine, but instead of saying my name like I want her to, she shakes her head, looking like she’d rather be anywhere but here.

“I’ll volunteer,” Mack murmurs

I shoot him a look. “You’re not doing that.”

“Why?”

“Because I am.”

I don’t even care what this project is about or what role I’ll play. Any excuse to spend time alone with Bear has my chestbuzzing with excitement. I feel like I’m a kid again, and it’s Christmas morning.

Mack’s gaze bounces between me and Bear before a shit-eating grin spreads across his face.

“Ohhh,” he says slyly. “I see what’s going on. And here I am, thinking it’s just a coincidence that she’s wearing the same hoodie you had on Saturday night.”

I ignore him and stand up. “Coach, I don’t mind volunteering.”

Bear’s mouth sets in a hard line, but she doesn’t say anything.

“If she’s comfortable with it, of course,” I add because I’m still a gentleman after all.

Coach’s questioning gaze lands on Bear. She murmurs something to him, and he nods.

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