Page 147 of What are the Risks
His mouth possessively closed over mine. “Thank fuck.”
*
The presentations were exactly as I’d imagined – boring. To entertain myself, I’d counted the tables multiple times, worked out how many waitstaff were in the room, and now I’d resorted to attempting to count the diamantes on the chandelier.
Just as I was nearing close to three hundred, my ears finally caught onto something exciting.
“Now to the final part of the evening,” the MC announced. “I invite the Dean to the stage to present the award for the Phil-U Athlete of the Year.”
I leaned into Ryker. His hand had remained on my leg the entire presentation, lazily stroking along my thigh. Perhaps that’s why I was finding this whole thing so tedious. I wasn’t invested in anything tonight other than Ryker holding good on all of his promises.
“Are you a chance for this?” I asked.
“Nah. Holloway is a sure thing. His team went all the way.”
The Dean stepped up to the microphone. He was a serious looking man, with greying hair and thick eyebrows. He cleared his throat before flattening a piece of paper on the podium.
“Good evening. Tonight’s award has been carefully selected, but let me assure you, it wasn’t an easy decision. From another successful year of our sporting exchange program to conference and national championships, it’s no secret that Phil-U has an elite athletics program.” He paused for effect, waiting for the inevitable applause to fade out. “With that said, the sportsman chosen tonight is a great example of what it means to lead. Not only was he highly commended by his coaching staff and teammates, but he’s also respected by athletes from other programs – and by yours truly.” He lifted his head, looking out across the crowd. “With all eyes on him for the NFL Draft next week–”
Ryker’s hand stilled.
“We’re pleased to kick off that excitement by announcing Ryker Richardson as the Phil-U Athlete of the Year.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
My Roman Empire
Ryker
Ruby and I waited out the front of the function centre with the guys and Tori. Evan had ordered a shuttle big enough to fit us all, but it was taking ages to get here.
The night air was crisp. Even with Ruby wrapped in my far-too-big jacket and my hands continuously rubbing up and down her arms, she was still shivering.
Though I wouldn’t admit it in front of the guys, I was fucking freezing too. My dick wasn’t loving it either, and he had a long night ahead. I didn’t want to piss him off.
“Forget it, man,” Brady called out, doing his best to keep Tori warm. “Let’s just order separate Ubers.”
“Chill,” Evan called back. “It’s here.”
Wanting to get Ruby out of the cold, I ushered her in first, which meant we were all the way at the back. At least the driver had the heat cranking. By the time Evan was sliding the shuttle door closed, colour had returned to Ruby’s cheeks.
I still couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked. Even if she and Noah had still been together, I probably would have asked her to be my date tonight anyway. Though the thought of sitting beside her platonically, or telling her how amazing she looked withoutfollowing it up with a detailed list of the things I wanted to do to her, wasn’t a scenario I liked imagining.
We may have started this just for fun, but somewhere along the way, it had turned into more than that to me. The possibility of it ending and moving to opposite sides of the country hit harder than a helmet to the ribs.
I wanted to be with Ruby – fully. I wanted to call her my girlfriend – officially. I wanted her to be my date to every event – for the rest of my life. I wanted to admit I was in love with her – out loud.
When I looked forward to next week, it wasn’t the Draft that came to mind first – it was her. Sitting together on the plane. Sneaking into her hotel room. Ordering room service for breakfast. Taking her to a nice restaurant for dinner. Eatingherfor dessert.
I was in so fucking deep, and I was okay with it. What worried me was whether she felt the same way.
I’d once promised her that when this ended, we could go back to being friends, as if nothing had ever happened. But deep down, I already knew I couldn’t. If Ruby didn’t want me the way I wanted her, I’d have a hard time accepting it. And there was no chance I could idly stand on the sidelines if she started seeing someone else.
Shaking off the infuriating thought, I forced myself to return to reality, focusing on Brady and Tori in the row in front of us. Tori was practically straddling my cousin as they ravaged one another.
Pat and Kyler were ahead of them, too busy talking to notice the make out session happening behind them, and Evan was all the way up front, attempting to convince the driver to change the radio station.
Realising this was my second to last night with them all bummed me out. The past four years had been nothing short of amazing. I wished I could slow it all down and have one more year of this.
