Page 63 of What Are The Odds?
I chewed on my thumb. I should probably talk to Levi about this. I knew he was into it. If his dirty words didn’t confirm it, the constant state ofhardhe was in did. That didn’t mean I wasn’t worried why he hadn’t tried to take things to the next level. Or at least let me do it for him. I wanted to. Hell, I’d asked to. But each time he downplayed it, as though we were only there for me and not him. That was weird. Maybe not if he was sleeping with others. I stopped myself from falling down that rabbit hole. I was overthinking it. I hoped.
“Have you read the comments on Ryan’s latest TikTok?” Ava asked.
I stood, slipping my arms through my swimming jacket.
“Why would I read the comments?”
“Because they’re about you.”
My stomach dropped. She handed me her phone after hitting play. Ryan had filmed each of the players as they turned up, recording their time. When it got to Levi, my heart sped up. Yesterday I’d had to fight the urge to throw myself at him. He’d looked so good in his formal gear. He always looked good. And he made me feel good. Like, amazingly good. A blush crept up my neck when I remembered the reason I was late this morning. The camera panned when Levi’s gaze averted. Ryan continued to film even when I came into view, when Levi hugged me, and when I told them the time. I could only imagine what people were saying. With him decked out in his fitted suit and team beanie, I’d felt like a troll standing beside him in my swimming tracksuit and wet hair.
“What are they saying?” I asked nervously.
“It’s what they’re asking.”
“Everyone wants to know who Levi’s new side piece is,” Stella said.
I glared at Stella. “Side piece?”
“One girl commented seeing Levi and you go upstairs at his party. Another mentioned she saw you shopping for groceries together.”
Did nothing go unnoticed at this college? The gossip was next level. And I was only part of it because of who I was seen with. Every sporting stereotype was turning out to be true. People paid too much attention to guys like Levi. I passed Ava back her phone.
“All I did in this was hug him," I pointed out. “And technically, he hugged me first.”
Stella placed her hands on my shoulders, pinning me in place with her gaze. “You’re new here, Grace. So let me get you up to speed. This is Levi Hollway we’re talking about. The fact he suggested exclusively sleeping together is a big deal. Like, huge. I don’t know whether to be happy for you or jealous.” Her expression sobered. “Though I do know for most girls, it’ll be the latter. There’s nothing more attractive to a girl than a guy she can’t have. And you just made one of the most desirable guys on campus even more desirable.”
33. Unstoppable
Levi.
I was eager to wrap up training. Each time a guy stuffed up and we were required to start again, my frustration festered. After what felt like one-hundred failed attempts, we nailed the drill and Coach called it for the day. I was usually one of the last off the ice. Today, I headed for the locker room first. I had my skates off in record time. By the time Tripp stepped through the door, I was scooping up my towel and heading for the showers.
“What are you in a rush for?”
I didn’t answer. I took a quick shower. Much quicker than normal. Just enough to wet my hair and wash away the sweat from practice. When I returned to the locker room, the guys were still taking off their gear.
“Got somewhere to be, Cap?” Ryan questioned.
“Grace has a meet.”
Tripp glanced up. “Can I come?”
I stopped with my hoodie halfway over my head. “Why?”
“Grace is my friend too.”
Will snickered. “Grace isn’t Levi’s friend.”
“Don’t I know it,” Tripp returned. “I share a bedroom wall with the guy.”
I whipped him with my towel. But part of me was smug. A happy Grace meant a happy Levi. And each time – sans the first – I’d had her in my bed, it had ended with Grace being veryveryhappy. Heck, even though we hadn’t done much, each time it’d ended very happily for me too. I was doing my best to take things slow. I was trying to build trust, to get her feeling comfortable with me. Though each time it was becoming harder and harder. Literally. Blue balls were an understatement for me nowadays. My dick had never wanted someone more than it wanted Grace Hughes.
“I have no plans either,” Ryan said. “I’ll stop by.”
Will looked perplexed. “Well I drove with you assholes, so I guess I’m in too.”
I hadn’t expected the guys to be like this. Particularly Ryan and Tripp who, like me, had never had a girlfriend. I’d assumed whoever started showing signs of becoming whipped first would get a good heckling. Yet here my mates were, asking to come and watch Grace’s sport. I liked that they loved Grace. But, fuck. If only they knew. I was starting to worry Tripp would have more to say about the stupid bet than Grace did. I finished slipping on my black hoodie, then matched it with black sweats and a grey beanie. Sitting on the bench in front of my locker, I pulled on socks then laced my white sneakers as though my life was on the line.
