Page 111 of What Are The Odds?
“He got home from the break a day before us. He was at a party and got talking to Summer Spritz.”
I swallowed. We were not off to a good start here.
“I guess Summer mentioned getting with you again or something, and of course Tripp stuck-up for Hughesy.”
I was nodding along. It was all I could manage. I felt sick.
“Summer said she wasn’t worried about Grace because your relationship was fake. When Tripp asked what she was on about, she told him about the bet you and Ryker made.”
“How the fuck does she know?”
And why her? Of all people?
“Summer didn’t cover that part off. You could reach out and ask, but I guess it doesn’t really matter.” Will sighed, defeated. “I think you’re going to have to tell Grace.”
I swallowed. As much as I hated to admit it, Will was right. I dragged my hand through my hair, letting out a series of expletives.
“What if she doesn’t forgive me, man?”
Will was the only person I could ask this question to. In freshman year he’d met a girl and fallen hard for her. They’d been inseparable for almost a year, and we’d all thought they would go the distance. But he’d fucked it up and it nearly broke him. At the time, I hadn’t fully understood his pain. Now I did. I knew what I had to lose. Will rounded the island and clamped his hand over my shoulder.
“Then I’ll be here for you.”
57. Birthday girl
Grace.
I leant against the building, waiting for our lecturer to arrive. The door was locked, which sucked. It was bloody freezing. I scrolled through my phone, reading through all the birthday messages from back home. They were ahead of me, so I’d woken to a stream of DMs and Instagram tags. People I hadn’t seen in months were sharing photos, photos which made me miss home so bloody much. Luke had sent me a long message, catching me up on all the things I was missing. And my brothers had text to say they’d phone after work. Ava and Stella had made the morning special too. They’d decorated our dorm room in balloons and streamers and had drawn the wordsbirthday girlon my swimming cap for this morning’s practice. Even coach had given me a birthday treat by removing all burpees from the workout.
“Grace!”
Ryker walked towards me, his backpack draped over one shoulder. I locked my phone and dropped it into my jacket pocket.
“Hey,” I smiled. “How was your break?”
“Great. I managed to get back home and catch up with my family.”
I was totally envious. What I’d give to be able to catch up with my family. Especially today.
“Did you stay on campus?” he asked.
“No. After my meet I flew to Colorado and spent Thanksgiving with Levi and his family.”
Ryker cocked an eyebrow. “Big move. Things are going well between you two then?”
I nodded.
“I’m glad.”
And he sounded like he meant it. I think. I caught sight of Levi out the corner of my eye. He was climbing up the steps, taking them two at a time. He wasn’t wearing his hockey jacket like usual. It seemed to be the team’s ammo to wear it to all campus classes. The football team were the same. Ryker being the prime example right now. After his party, Levi had assured me he’d had someone get Ryker’s jacket back to him. I guess he hadn’t been lying, because Ryker had never asked for it.
“Where are your things?” I asked once Levi reached us.
He didn’t have his backpack or even his laptop.
“We’re not going to class today,” he told me. “We’re playing hooky.”
“We are? Why?”
