Page 114 of Stroked by (Stroked)
“Ruby.”
“Yes, Ruby. What about her? Do you like her?”
He just nods his head. “I shouldn’t though.”
So not the time to have a deep conversation about our feelings but I’ve never been able to talk to Bodi about anything other than swimming, so the fact that he’s opening up right now is not going to stop me from prying. Sorry opening ceremony, this is more important.
“Why not? Does she have a boyfriend?”
“No,” he snaps at me rather quickly. “She’s, uh,” he pauses and rubs the back of his neck, “she’s way too good for me. I have demons and she’s so fucking joyful and happy that I feel like I’m bringing her down.”
Seriously, weirdest conversation ever to have with Bodi right now. Not the best timing or venue but then again, I wonder if he’s saying this because the feeling is eating him alive. Maybe he needs to get it off his chest so it doesn’t consume him during his races. Normally, I would love nothing more than to see Bodi trailing behind me in the pool, but I’m not one to be handed anything. If I win gold, I want to win it fair and square, and that means making sure my competition is primed and ready to go.
“Are you in a relationship with her?”
“Sort of,” he says, cringing. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, it just did.”
I nod and then say, “You know what, Bodi? Sometimes we have to take what’s given to us, no matter how much we don’t think we deserve it. This is my last Olympics. I want a gold more than fucking anything, you and I both know that, but I also want to earn it. Ruby must think she deserves you if she wants to be a part of your life. I say, accept it and focus on your races. You’ll regret it if you don’t, not just for a solid competition, but because, from the looks of it, the girl makes you happy, and isn’t that what matters?”
Bodi goes to answer when Hollis jumps in front of us, two flags clutched in his hand. “America!” he screams at the top of his lungs and once again, wraps his arm around my neck, prancing around like a flamboyant elf. I look back at Bodi whose brow is scrunched. He’s studying his phone. Right when I’m about to beat Hollis off me, Bodi’s face softens and a smile takes place as he types on his phone.
We’re not the best of friends, Bodi and I, but after these games, I plan on fixing that. He’s good people, and from the looks of it, he needs more friends.
***
“I hate this,” Paisley says in our FaceTime chat, her head resting on her hotel pillow and her black fair framing her beautiful face. “Why can’t you stay in a hotel with me? Or why can’t I stay in your dorm with you?”
“Rules, baby.”
“But they have condoms everywhere there.”
“I told you athletes have a driving libido.” Mistake number one: forgetting to tell Paisley I couldn’t stay with her while in Rio. Mistake number two: telling her about the bowls of condoms all over the dorms.
“What if some girl comes waltzing into your dorm and just throws condoms at you and takes her shirt off.” I can’t help but laugh, despite the worry in her voice. “Reese, I’m serious.”
In between chuckles, I say, “If for some reason, a woman comes up to mysecuredorm room, throws condoms at me, and then takes off her shirt, I will be sure to give her a high five, maybe take my shirt off too and celebrate, nipple to nipple style.”
“Oh my God,” she says, sitting up on the bed.
“Christ, he’s playing with you,” I hear in the background, Melony calling out to her. Lucky for Paisley, she gets to share a room with Melony. Ruby unfortunately has to share a room with Pocket. Yes, Ruby is in attendance because heaven forbid production on Bellini’s doggy clothing line should stop, or Bellini should trust someone to do the job without hovering for one second. Bellini is so obsessed with Ruby’s work, that she refuses to leave her alone with the clothing. Therefore, she will be in attendance during the races as well, which I’m sure she is more than pleased about, given the information I found out at the opening ceremony.
“You don’t know that,” Paisley says to Melony. “Maybe the condom thrower herself is hiding in his closet.”
“Do I need to give you a tour again? You won’t find one condom thrower in here. Now, are we going to talk, or are we going to have a hysterical conversation about people who take their shirts off and touch nipples?”
“I like the nipple-touching conversation, personally,” Melony calls out.
Paisley turns to her friend. “Oh really? Maybe I should tell Reese about the little conversation we had on the airplane.”
“Don’t you dare,” Melony says sharply, warning in her voice.
“Oh, what conversation?”
“Nothing,” Melony calls out. “Paisley . . .”
A huge grin spreads across Paisley’s face right before she says, “She had a sex dream about Hollis.”
“I hate you,” Melony yells. “Jesus, Paisley, you couldn’t keep that to yourself?”
