Page 126 of Wish You Were Mine
Because her dad was here. Her teammates. An entire arena of spectators.
And if anyone so much asguessedwhat might be going on between us…
It would be game over.
I shifted in my seat.
“Okay, Theo,” I muttered, subtly lowering the phone in case anyone was looking my direction, “now would be an excellent time to come back and take this thing off my hands.” Because this was dangerous territory.
Also…there was no way I wasn’t watching that video again when I got home.
But then I heard it.
A voice from behind me. Male. Low. Way tooconfident.
“Dang, she’s hot. Bet she’s a freak in the sheets.”
I went still.
“Wouldn’t mind seeing that beam routine up close,” another guy chimed in, laughing. “With flexibility like that? Yeah, I’ve got a few ideas.”
More laughter.
My jaw tightened and heat crawled up my neck.
Tune it out. Let it go. Don’t make a scene,I told myself as I stared at the phone screen, trying to pretend I didn’t hear it.
But then the first guy added, louder this time, “Wonder if she’s single. I’d let her ride my balance beam?—”
And that was it.
“Hey.” I turned around before my brain could catch up with my body. “That’s President Archibald’s daughter you’re talking about. Maybe show a little respect.”
Both guys flinched, mid-laugh, their expressions shifting fast like they hadn’t expected to be called out. One of them muttered something about me needing to take a chill pill.
Then I saw him. Lucy’s ex, Josh.
Seated with some hockey teammates two rows up.Watching.
His brow arched, eyes locked on mine, and I was pretty sure there was a hint of recognition flashing across his face.
Perfect.
Did he recognize me from that night at The Garden? Or did he know I was a professor here?
Either way, the look he was giving me wasn’t good. Because it looked like he was connecting way too many dots.
I forced a slow breath and turned my attention back to the floor.
Lucy was finishing her routine—dismounting with a clean double twist and a small hop.
The crowd roared to life and I let out a cheer of my own,trying to keep it low-key. Controlled. Normal. Even though inside, pride was flooding me like a tidal wave.
She was unreal.
Strong. Fearless. The kind of performer you couldn’t look away from.
A few minutes later, Theo reappeared, carrying Charlotte in his arms. She had her little head tucked into his shoulder, arms looped around his neck.
