Page 99 of Well That Happened

I blink. “Huh?”

“The polish. Why this one?”

I glance down at the soft, dusty pink. “It’s called‘Rose After Hours.’Figured it sounded like who I want to be. Someone chill. Put-together. Like I didn’t cry over a dosage calc quiz yesterday.”

His mouth quirks. “You’re more put-together than you think.”

The compliment shouldn’t land the way it does. But from him? It hits deep.

I swallow, heart thudding as he blows gently on my fingertips to help them dry.

Big mistake.

Because now I’m watching Grayson Cole—sexy goalie, human teddy bear—literally blowing cool air across my hand like he’s casting a spell.

And yeah, I’m toast.

“I think you missed your true calling,” I whisper, trying not to combust.

“Oh yeah?”

“You could start a side hustle. Nail tech to the emotionally unstable.”

He looks up, a tiny grin playing at the corner of his mouth. “Only if you’re my first client.”

My face warms.

And somehow—without any big moves or grand gestures—Grayson makes me feel wanted.

Seen.

Cherished in a way that’s quiet but all-consuming.

“You want me to do your toes next?” he teases.

I smirk. “Absolutely not.”

He just shrugs, already reaching for the top coat.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hunter

The sun casts a warm glow as I make my way across campus, my mind filled with thoughts of Rilee. These past few weeks have been a fucking nightmare. She moved in and basically took over. She’s fucking Caleb now, and I think she’s got something going on with Grayson too. It’s exactly what I didn’t want to happen. I have no idea what the fuck I’m going to say to Fletcher when he returns from rehab.

I’ve never lived with a girl, never even wanted to, but with her… it’s different. I’m more on edge than I ever expected. I get nervous when she’s left home alone at night. When we leave for games, I always check that everything’s locked up. I’m like a grumpy mother hen—not a role I ever expected to play.

Lost in my thoughts, my phone buzzes with an urgent text from a teammate named Finn. It seems he got himself into a messy situation and needs me to pick him up.Fantastic. The guy’s been nothing but trouble since he joined the team last year. With a sigh, I change direction and head toward downtown.

The neon lights of the bar cast an eerie glow on the street as I pull up, my heart sinking at the sight of the rookie, clearly inebriated and surrounded by chaos. I step out of the truck, frustration mixing with a sense of responsibility.

“Finn!” I call out sharply, striding over to where he’s leaning against a lamppost, a bruise forming on his cheek.

He startles at the sound of my voice, looking both relieved and guilty. “Hey. Thanks for showing up, man.”

I cross my arms, trying to keep my patience in check. “You care to explain what the hell happened?”

He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, avoiding my gaze. “It’s stupid, really. Some guys started mouthing off in there, and I didn’t back down.”

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