Page 8 of Running
ButthenI acted like a scared deer in headlights once I found out she was a virgin. Freaked out as I processed what’d happened. I’d hooked up with my roommate’s little sister—who was likely much more inexperienced than I first knew.
Idiot.I probably would have recovered and not ended the night on such a dickhead moment, except then Landon came home.
And that evening has spiraled into a similarly screwed-up situation with Landon now.
Little did I know that he would turn into an NFL teammate, not just a college one—and my best friend. A best friend that less than a year ago asked me to make sure that no guy we know screws Grace over now that she lives in Orlando. I’d tried to ignore his request, but he forced the issue.
Well, let me make sure I don’t need to turnmyselfin.
Which is a special challenge because everything that made Grace attractive to me during her visit—it’s all still there, as far as I can tell.
Not that I can rely much on my first-hand experience with her. Grace has avoided me since she first moved to Orlando in the fall.
Granted, her arrival last year coincided with the beginning of the previous Waves season, so I’d been insanely busy too. We only saw each other in passing at Landon’s house or at some event that Landon brought her to.
And then after the season ended, it wasn’t long before I had to head to Alabama to help my family.
Theoretically, that would explain why we haven’t really connected, but beyond that, Grace has ducked away, turned away, walked away—all sorts of away’s—every time we’ve been in proximity.
We’re both over at Landon’s house? She suddenly leaves to go study.
At a party? She peaces out to meet a friend somewhere.
Hanging at the same bar? She moves across the room.
I’ve gotten the memo. Grace doesn’t want to talk to me.
Which is why I’m stunned thirty minutes later when Rawley drives up and Grace is in the passenger seat.
“Oh, shit, Johnson,” Rawley says as he closes the car door and walks up. “Thanks for having me over. I’ve tried to practice regularly during my visits, but to have you throw passes to me? A whole other level.”
His eyes are big and excited. I know he’s not always had the easiest time, despite his football talent. It’s gratifying to see him so affected by the chance to play today.
“No problem. I’m glad to have my backyard get some use. Have you met Bailey?”
Bailey steps forward and nods. “Yeah, we met last year when you were visiting Landon, I think.”
Rawley’s expression stays bright. “I remember.”
“I don’t watch as many college games as I like,” Bailey continues. “But I did see the highlights from your last bowl game. That one-handed catch on the three-yard line? Wooooooheeeee.” Bailey waggles his eyebrows to match his exaggerated tone.
Rawley and he start trading more compliments, and Bailey offers to show him some NFL-level routes. As they head off to mid-field, I finally let myself look back towards the driveway.
And there’s Grace, leaning against their car, watching me intently.
She’s stunning as always. Flowing blonde hair framing her face like a halo. Hazel eyes that look almost gold when the right light hits. Perfectly pink lips that promise soft warmth, if I could only taste them.
And her body.Fuck.The Grace I met in college had a classic runner’s body. Lean and strong. Head to toe, every inch of her slight, muscular frame reflecting her dedication to her sport.
Now, there’s a softness to her, her curves noticeably filled out a little over the last couple of years.
Well, it’s noticeable to me.
I know from Landon that she still runs all the time, and she’s undeniably super fit with long, lean lines. But I can’t help observing the extra flare in her hips, the rounder curve of her ass, the press of her tits against her shirt every time I see her now.
It’s not like I can forget what she looked like in college. Not after that night.
So, of course, I notice the changes now.
