Page 86 of Built to Fall
Once we’re out of earshot, I yank my hand free. “Start talking.”
“Christ, Evangelina, you made thingssomuch more complicated.” He groans, running his hands roughly through his hair.
I don’t even bother commenting on how he called me Evangelina. Only because I can’t help but focus on the way the muscles of his biceps flex as he does it and the sweat that’s still clinging to his forehead and running down his neck to the collar of his Yale Football Dri-FIT shirt.
“How didImake things complicated?” I throw my arms up, exasperated. “All I did was pull a little stunt to get you out of practice so I could talk to you.”
“Eva—”
My entire body freezes. “Donotcall me that.”
His face softens the tiniest bit. I can feel him study me for a moment, like the answers to all his questions are written across my forehead or flashing in my eyes.
“Why did Eden tell me to stay away from you all of a sudden?” I ask.
Grant’s breath mists in the frigid air between us.
“Because apparently, according to half of Yale, I have a secret pregnant wife,” he says flatly.
“Youwhat?”
“Abby posted about her pregnancy yesterday. I reposted it congratulating her because, you know, she’smy sister.But people are idiots. They saw‘Vandenberg’and immediatelydecided it wasmykid. Some genius even started a Reddit thread about how I must have a pregnant wife I’m hiding.”
I stare at him, incredulous. “And me calling myself your girlfriend…”
“Yeah.” He gives a rough laugh. “You basically confirmed it to the entire football facility. Congratulations, we’re rumored to be expecting. I’m sure it will be onNotes of New Havenany minute.”
“Oh my God.” I groan, dropping my face into my hands. “You didn’t say anything to combat the rumors?”
His shoulders hitch. “What’s the point? If people aren’t even going to look at the account of the post I reshared, why would they pay attention to any statement I put out?”
When I look up at him again, though, neither of us can stop ourselves from breaking out into laughs.
“Oh my gosh!”I howl in laughter, tears filling my eyes and my stomach starting to cramp from the sheer force of it.
“Yeah,” Grant chokes out. “It’s ridiculous.”
“So what now? Do we put out a press release? Hold a fake gender reveal party?” The idea of us feeding into the ridiculousness of it all makes me giggle even more, to the point where I can’t suppress it whatsoever as we continue walking around the facility.
I imagine the girls going along with it too, pretending as if they are all going to be aunts. Braxton and Meredith would obviously take the role of extremely fake godparents.
He grins, full and wide, like this is the most fun he’s had all day. “Nowthere’san idea. Want to go pick out some pink and blue cupcakes?”
“Let’s do it,” I challenge, nudging him in the shoulder. “It might be fun to play along a bit.”
Grant looks over at me, mischief lighting his eyes. “Careful, pretty girl. Keep talking like that, and people really are going to think you’re stuck with me forever.”
I snort. “Please. You wish.”
He laughs under his breath, then bumps his shoulder lightly into mine as we walk. The easy, crackling energy between us suddenly feels heavier, almost charged.
For a second, we both go quiet. The wind whistles past, cold enough to sting my cheeks, but the heat rising in my chest has nothing to do with the temperature.
Grant shoves his hands into the pockets of his joggers, casting me a sideways glance. “Seriously, though, are you okay with people thinking… that?”
“You mean thinking I’m your potential wife, or thinking that I’m carrying your imaginary love child?”
He smirks. “Either. Both.”
