Page 86 of What Are The Odds?
“Because I’ve had a boyfriend before.”
It was so stupid to feel jealous of that, but I did.
I growled. “What’s the asshole’s name?”
Laughing, Grace picked up the spoon. She blew on the soup momentarily before taking her first bite. Or sip. It was basically liquid. She groaned in appreciation.
“This is really good.”
“Don’t change the subject, Hughesy.”
She playfully rolled her eyes. “His name was Luke. We dated for two years in high school. He was a footy player.”
My firm expression told her I didn’t like hearing that.
“Australian Rules Football,” she corrected. “You know, the one where you actually use your feet.”
“Why did you break up?”
She shrugged. “Because I moved here.”
“You were together up until you moved?”
She nodded. My stomach clenched.
“Do you think you’d still be together if you hadn’t left?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Luke was a good guy. He was amazing when my parents died. But I needed to get out of there after high school. Alone. He didn’t understand that.”
“Do you still talk to him?”
“From time to time. We ended on good terms.”
Damn. I was hoping there’d been bad blood and a messy break up. You know, enemies and no chance of reconciling.
“Great. So I already have an enemy in Australia?”
Grace’s eyes danced as she laughed at me.
“Anyone else?” I pressed.
“Nah. Nothing serious. What about you? Any ex-girlfriends that are going to pop up when we go to Colorado?”
I shook my head. I didn’t have any exes technically. But there were past girls.
“You’re the first one,” I told her.
“I can tell. This soup sucks.”
My stomach dropped. “Really?”
She winked. “Kidding.”
45. Safest bet
Grace
It was like a veil had lifted. I’d gone to sleep, my nose blocked and my throat feeling like razor blades, and today the symptoms had lessened dramatically. I’d lucked out. It must have been a twenty-four-hour virus. Or maybe it had been Levi’s soup. Or perhaps it was the miracle smoothie Tripp had brought up after. I was too nervous to ask what was in it. It’d taken multiple attempts to get it down without gagging. Eventually Levi had ushered Tripp out the room so we could pour it down the sink. Tripp’s smoothie making skills had a long way to go. I rolled from side to side, sighing happily. I loved this bed. I loved that it was so soft. I loved that the blankets were thick and heavy. I loved that it smelt like Levi. And I loved that being in here usually meant I was with him. I should’ve known he had no intention of sleeping on the couch. I’ll admit, having his warm body wrapped around mine had made being sick slightly better. I’d felt him slip out this morning. He had an early lecture. It had just gone 8.30. For me, that was a sleep-in for the record books. Sitting up, I drank the entire glass of water Levi had left beside the bed then had a shower. It felt good to wash the sickness away. With my hair fresh and my face clean, I felt another step closer to normal. That feeling vanished though when I walked back into the bedroom. I could hear screaming. And not the scared type. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I stared at the wall that connected Tripp and Levi’s rooms. A girl repeatedly screamed Tripp’s name over and over again, only pausing occasionally to reference God or Jesus. Pulling on the first items of clothing I could find, I rushed from the room. I ran so quickly down the stairs I almost lost my footing. Maybe I wasn’t back to 100% just yet. When I walked into the living area, I screamed. This time it was due to being scared. Well, more like surprised. Ryan was on the couch, his bare chest on full display as a very naked girl straddled his lap. Upon seeing me she squealed, reaching for a pillow to cover herself. Ryan on the other hand barely flinched. Was nowhere in this house safe? With my hands covering my eyes, I mumbled a stream of apologies as I fumbled my way to the front door. I had no shoes on. Or jacket. And my hair was still wet. But getting outside felt like my safest bet.
