Page 123 of What Are The Odds?
I’d add it to the list of things Levi and I needed to talk about. I think that’s another reason I hadn’t booked a flight home yet, because talking to Levi about Christmas plans would surely open up discussions about next year. I wasn’t ready to revisit that conversation. After going through our stretches one final time, and listening to Stella complain about how hungry she was, I pulled on my jumper then picked up my towel before heading towards the exit.
“Grace,” Ryker called out.
He set down his weights, jogging to catch me. Things with Stella and her football player hadn’t eventuated. Now, she did her best to avoid him. Which was definitely hard when we spent half our time dodging them in the Athlete’s Centre. At least it meant she’d finally let theteam Rykerargument drop.
“I’ll meet you outside,” I told her and Ava before meeting Ryker halfway.
He was in gym shorts and nothing more, a towel draped over his shoulders as sweat trickled down his bare, toned chest.
“How was your birthday?” he asked.
I mustn’t have seen him since then. He missed classes more often than not due to his football schedule. The school was on board with football being the priority. It was the same with Levi. Wagging thehockeyorfootballcard was as good as a get out of jail free pass.
“It was amazing.”
“Holloway spoilt you?”
“Sure did.”
Ryker smiled, dragging his hands through his hair lazily. “Good.”
Summer waltzed over, looking me up and down before stopping beside Ryker. I’d been on the receiving end of her glares ever since Levi and I became public knowledge.
“I thought this was over,” she said, sounding bored. “You’ve made your choice, Grace. You’ve bagged Levi. Let Ryker off the hook.”
I simply frowned. I had no idea what she was talking about.
“Huh?”
“Don’t play dumb. Everyone knows about the bet.”
I stilled. “What bet?”
I had a sinking feeling I wasn’t going to like whatever she said next.
“You know, the one Levi and Ryker made. First one to hook up with you wins their team rights to the gym. Ring any bells?”
Not one single bell was ringing. She had to be joking.Pleasebe joking.
“What were the rules originally, Ryker? First one to fuck her?”
I was at a loss for words. I looked at Ryker, waiting for him to explain. To make sense of whatever the hell Summer was talking about. He was frozen, his jaw just as slack as mine.Please tell me she’s making this upI prayed. A bet? Surely not. Though now the thought had stuck, I couldn’t shake it. Ryker and Levi. They were always there. Always competitive. Always vying for my attention. Could she be– No. I couldn’t believe it. There had to be an explanation. Summer was lying. Levi wouldn’t do that. And while I didn’t know Ryker nearly half as well, I don’t think he would either. They couldn’t be that cruel.
“I’ll admit, Levi took it further than I think he was meant to. The whole girlfriend act was pretty cute.” Summer popped her hip, resting her manicured hand on it. “But this is Holloway we’re talking about. He’ll lose interest now he’s proved his point.”
I couldn’t listen to Summer anymore, so I turned my back on her and faced Ryker. I didn’t even need to ask. He was floored. Floored like a kangaroo in front of bloody headlights. No. That was wrong. I was the animal, and he was the one driving the car, about to knock the life out of me. My world shattered at my feet. Not because of the guy in front of me, but because of the one I was considering giving up my home for. The one I’d kissed goodbye to only this morning. The one who’d trailed wet kisses down my naked body last night. The one I loved. My aching chest turned sharp, like I’d swallowed a knife. The urge to cry was there, but I wouldn’t. Not here. Not in front of them. So I did the only thing I could. I turned and got the hell out of there.
62. Goodbye
Levi.
Ryker: Grace knows.
Those two words had caused my stomach to fucking drop. I didn’t know the details. Who. How. Why. All that mattered was Grace knew what an absolute fuck up I was. I had to find her, had to make this right. I couldn’t lose her over this. I barely paid attention to the speed I was going, making it to campus in record time. I did a shitty parking job but didn’t waste time straightening up. My heart was in my throat as I rushed to her dorm. I didn’t know what to say to make this right. I didn’t know if anythingwouldmake this right. But I had to try. I halted to an abrupt stop when Grace stepped out of the building. She was wheeling a suitcase behind her. Fuck. That wasn’t promising. Ava and Stella were two steps ahead of her. Another suitcase in tow.
“Grace,” I called out.
Grace flinched at my voice, which hurt like hell. I approached slowly, partly worried she would turn and run. If she did, I was prepared to run after her. Stella and Ava had stopped too. I’m sure Grace had filled them in. They probably hated me. I hated myself. Ava gently placed her fingers on Grace’s forearm before sliding the suitcase from Grace’s grasp.
