Page 70 of My Merry Mistake
“Yeah, it was,” I say.
“If you hadn’t been up there annoying her, that might’ve ended up differently,” he says. “Least that’s what Poppy said.”
I chuckle as we stand and walk toward the gym. “I’m glad I was there, even if she’s not.”
“I’m sure she is,” he says.
“Then you don’t know her as well as you think you do.” I shoot him a wry look.
“She’ll come around,” he says. “She’s just stubborn.”
We hang our bags up and head over to the stationary bikes. Most of the guys on the team end up here, getting in a session before tonight, keeping things loose. Everyone has their own regimen.
“Do you know how she’s doing?” I ask. “Did Poppy say anything?”
“Only that she brought her some food last night, and she fell asleep after about forty-five minutes. Have you talked to her today?”
I shake my head. I’d love to, but I don’t want to make it weird. She’s dating someone else, and like she said, we aren’t friends. “Do you think it’s better if I just, you know, leave her alone?”
I don’t have to look at him to know he’s watching me. “Is that what you want?”
I pedal faster. “No. I mean, I want to help, you know? Actually prove I’m not useless.” I blow out a frustrated breath. “I think I can help her figure out how to slow down.”
“That sounds smart,” he says.
Smart. Right. If I can get close enough to actually do it.
Raya probably wants someone to come alongside her and conquer the world, to have huge goals, accomplish a ton of stuff, and that’s just not me. I’d be perfectly happy with a piece of land, a family I love, a couple of dogs, and a homemade ice rink in the backyard.
Throw in a job where I can help people, and that’s a good life.
That’s the life I want.
We really are too different.
I’m ten minutes into my ride when the door of the gym opens and Raya walks in. Her eyes lock onto mine, and the rest of the room goes quiet, like someone hit the mute button.
Then Jericho lets out a low whistle, like we’re back in high school.
She’s tall and graceful and carries herself like a freaking Greek goddess. But today, that goddess is Athena.
And she looks like she’s ready for war.
Chapter Eighteen
Finn
“What did you do?” Dallas asks, his voice low.
I don’t take my eyes off of her, but I manage a quiet, “I have no idea.”
Should I take cover?
She walks over and stops right in front of us. “Hey, Dallas.” She gives him a quick nod.
“Hey, Raya. How are you feeling?” Dallas asks.
She makes a point of looking at me when she says, “I’mfine, actually.”
