Page 131 of What Are The Odds?
“Can we talk then?”
I held my breath. After a pause, Grace nodded. I had to stop myself from fist pumping with excitement. Six days. I could do six days. Movement inside caught my eye. Will was standing at the glass door, waving.
“Will’s family just got here,” I told Grace.
Her forehead pinched, then understanding took over.
“It’s Christmas there,” she realised.
She was ahead. Christmas had come and gone in Australia. I’d tried to call her yesterday. Of course I had. But when she didn’t pick up, I’d settled for a message.
“Merry Christmas, Levi.”
“Merry Christmas, Grace.”
It was definitely better now. As much as I wanted to keep talking to Grace, to dive into the conversation we needed to have, it wasn’t the right time. Talking in person would be better. But I was glad to have spoken to her just now. So fucking glad.
“I should let you go,” I said.
I may have been optimistic, but it looked like she was disappointed by that.
“I’ll see you in a few days. Call me when you’re back?”
She nodded.
“And Hughesy?”
“Yeah?”
“I like that bikini.”
She rolled her eyes, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
“Goodbye, perv.”
66. Find me first
Levi.
Grace: Can you meet me outside the Athlete’s Centre in twenty?
My fingers typed back at record speed.
Levi: I'm on my way.
I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my keys, then walked out the front door. I’d been eagerly counting down the days, minutes, seconds until I could see Grace. Now I was only moments away, my heart was in my throat. How did I act? Hug her? Kiss her? Beg her? I had no fucking clue. My mind was so warped thinking about seeing Grace that the entire car ride was a blur. Here’s hoping I hadn’t run any lights or missed a speed change. I’d deal with that later. After parking my car, I grabbed my puffer coat off the passenger seat and got out. It was freezing today. I pulled my coat over my hoodie then readjusted my beanie. I probably should’ve taken stock of what I looked like before driving here, but too late now. I walked along the rows of cars, dodging students heading to them, red-faced from a workout. Our normal training program was on hold until after New Year’s Eve, so I hadn’t been to the Athlete’s Centre since leaving for Christmas break. Tripp’s car was here. Him and Ryan had left for a gym session an hour ago. They’d asked me to come. Knowing Grace was here, I should’ve said yes. But I’d been too keyed up to do anything other than sit around and wait for her to call. I’d offered to collect her from the airport, but she’d politely turned me down. That’s the only time we’d spoken since she drunkenly answered my call. I didn’t want to push my luck, so I left it. As hard as that had been. Even though I was about to see her, I don’t think I would believe it until she was in front of me. A moment later, she was. It was kind of like seeing a celebrity. Someone you’d always been distant from, suddenly being this close, was surreal. I faltered, almost slipping on some ice. Thankfully Grace hadn’t seen that. She was busy talking to someone. After a few more steps, they came into view. Ryker. Fucking. Richardson. What the hell was he doing here? Like me, he was dressed in casual clothes. He hadn’t just wrapped up a gym session. I didn’t know what to make of that. When Grace’s gaze collided with mine, my world stopped. Her lips parted and her eyebrows lowered. Not the overjoyed reaction I’d been hoping for. But that had been a long shot. She was wearing black sweats, an oversized hoodie, an Adelaide Crows cap and a thick jacket. Her hands were stuffed in her pockets. She kept them there as I finished walking over.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
I almost melted from the one syllable. I’d missed her voice and that accent.
“When did you get in?”
“Just now.”
“Good flight?”
