Page 65 of What Are The Odds?
“Come on, Hughesy,” Ryan cheered.
Tripp pounded his feet anxiously. I held my breath. When Grace’s hand hit the end first, we all jumped from our seats. Even Ryker. An involuntary grin stretched across my face. Figures Grace was unstoppable in the water too.
*
Ryker and I waited together for Grace to come out. The guys had just left. Supposedly Ryan’s stomach had been seconds away from eating itself. I’d worked up an appetite at training. I expect Grace had too. I hope that translated to getting food together after this. She walked out with Stella and Ava. She was freshly showered, dressed in her swimming tracksuit and slippers. Her wet hair was draped over one shoulder. I liked seeing her fresh-faced like this. Grace never hid behind a wall of makeup or fancy outfit. She was always just her. It was refreshing. She looked up from her phone, her eyes finding mine. After muttering something to Stella and Ava, she headed our way.
“You came.” Her eyes widened. “Both of you.”
I fought the impulse to crash my lips against hers. I wasn’t that big of an ass to flaunt her in front of Ryker.
“Of course,” Ryker said. “You were bad ass in that pool, Grace.”
She chuckled. “I was having a good day.”
He reached forward, nudging her shoulder playfully. “I’m sure they’re always good.”
Okay Ryker. Continue flirting with her in front of me and see what happens.
“Hey,” she said, her gaze moving to me.
“Hey,” I smiled.
Fuck it. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against my chest and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“You were fucking amazing.”
She pulled back, eyes smiling as she looked at me. Though through the smile, I could tell how tired she was. I’d woken her late last night. Well, early this morning. Just as it felt like we’d fallen asleep, her alarm had gone off. She’d had a morning practice, a full day of classes then ended with the meet. And apparently I knew her schedule. That was a new revelation.
“Don't you have a game tonight?” she asked Ryker.
I tried not to let it bother me that she knew that.
He nodded. “I can get you guys good seats if you want to come by.”
I really didn’t want to go to a football game tonight. But if Grace accepted the tickets, which she likely would because of how damn nice she was, I was definitely going too.
“I’m pretty beat,” she admitted, smiling sheepishly. “But I promise to get to a game soon.”
Ryker was disappointed. I could see it in his eyes. And while I ought to feel smug, I kind of felt bad for the guy. I loved the idea of showing off in front of Grace. And with a stadium of fans shouting his name, Grace would undoubtably be impressed. College football was huge. Some of the college stadiums were just as big as the football games she watched back home.
“No problem,” Ryker said. “I should get going. Nice work today, Grace.”
“Thanks, Ryker.”
“Goodluck, man,” I said.
He likely wouldn’t need it. The team they were playing were on the brink of being dropped a division. He'd pants them. Once he was gone, I finally kissed Grace. I took my time, savouring every second of her warm lips on mine. When we broke apart, I held her at arm’s length, studying her.
“Are you too beat for dinner?”
“I’m starving.” She glanced down at her outfit. Her fuzzy slippers were fucking adorable. “But can we get takeaway? I don’t have the energy to get ready to eat in public.”
Grace looked perfect the way she was. But I didn’t mind her suggestion. The idea of eating with her on the couch was better than being on opposite sides of a sticky restaurant table.
“I can cook something.”
“The dorms don’t have a kitchen.”
