Page 28 of Game Changer
Don’t read too much into it. Don’t get your hopes up.
It was early in the year. Maybe this would be a turning point for Kip Grady. A gala invitation. A possible job opportunity. A new...friend.
Hereallyhoped Scott wanted to see him again. Kip’s standards were now set ridiculously high after last night, and it would be really hard to go out and pick up just some guy.
Kip made a plan for himself for the rest of the day that involved going to the gym, working on his résumé, and other responsible things that had nothing to do with daydreaming about Scott Hunter.
* * *
Kip was working with Maria when Scott came into the shop the next morning.
He couldn’t be completely sure, but he thought he detected a hint of disappointment on Scott’s face when he saw that Kip wasn’t alone.
“Hello again,” Scott said, making an obvious effort to sound casual.
“Hey,” Kip said, trying not to show how giddy he felt just seeing Scott again. “Long time no see.”Smooth.
“Right,” Scott said.
For a moment, they both just kind of stared at each other, neither of them speaking. Kip wished he could hop over the counter and wrap himself up in Scott. He wanted to kiss him so badly.
“Well,” Scott said. “The usual, I guess.”
“You got it,” Kip said with a little smirk. Scott’s lips twitched up a bit too.
Kip made the smoothie and handed it to Scott. He glanced at Maria, who had just been silently watching them both the whole time. He quickly looked away when he felt himself blushing. When he glanced back at Scott, he was blushing too.
“So...game tonight and tomorrow night, huh?” Kip asked as if they hadn’t already had this conversation.
“Yeah. Then a day off before a short road trip.”
“Day off?”
“Mm-hmm,” Scott said as he took a sip of smoothie.
“Big plans for the day off?” Kip was trying to be as subtle as possible, which wasn’t very subtle at all.
“I was thinking about staying home. Maybe watching a movie.” He sounded casual, but Scott’s gaze was threatening to melt Kip on the spot.
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“I think so,” Scott said. “Anyway, I should get going.” He handed Kip the usual twenty-dollar bill, and maybe his touch lingered when his fingers met Kip’s palm. “See you later, Kip.”
“See you...” Kip said, his voice faint.
Scott left quickly.
“Oh. My.God!” Maria exclaimed.
“What?”
“What? What thehell, Grady? Are you guys engaged orwhat?”
“I don’t know what you’re—”
“You need to tell me what I just witnessed.”
“Nothing!” Kip knew his face was giving him away. His cheeks still felt flush and he was biting his lip to keep from grinning.
