Astor Hill

Chapter 4

4

Ben

Given the scowl painted across Olivia’s face, one could correctly guess she is appalled by my intrusion. Not thankful for saving her from the dusty floor of Churchill Hall— she’s appalled.

I can’t seem to look away when I hear a silky, honeyed, “Fuck off.”

The eye contact stills me. Her eyes are a rich, deep brown, speckled with amber, disguising the curiosity that only momentarily peaked through when she first turned around. It is quickly shuttered away as a red flush creeps up her neck.

“I’m sorry?” I murmur, trying to reassemble the fortitude necessary to deal with the situation at hand.

“I’m sure there are better places for you to practice your subpar vigilante skills than Astor. Fuck off and find them,” she says, eyes wide, as she grabs Will’s hand and begins to drag him out of the archway and across the courtyard. It isn’t until I see Will tug her to a halt and catch his mouth angle toward her ear that she stills, making eye contact with me once again.

Her gaze is soft but impenetrable as she looks at me and I can’t bring myself to look away. As much as I’m irritated by her proximity to Will, my unwillingness to disengage alarms me. I force myself to turn away, hoisting my bag over my shoulder.

Walking into the locker room throws me; the musty blend of male perspiration, Bath and Body Works Ocean Mist tinged with Tommy cologne, and stringent multi-purpose cleaner assaults my passageways and travels to that part of your brain that connects smell to memory. I’m lost in thought when I feel a massive block of man slam me into the nearest locker.

“Jesus, Grant. Nice to see you too.” I can’t help the slight smile that forms, even as I rub my most definitely bruised shoulder.

“Nice to fucking see you? You disappear for two years, refuse to come to a game, come for a coffee, refuse anything, and all you’ve got is nice to see you. You mysterious fuck.” He’s grinning as he berates me, unable to be serious for even a second, and I’m glad to see he hasn’t changed.

When I quit the team and left Astor Hill two years ago, one of my hesitations was Grant. But when Grant asked me what was going on, and when I found myself unable to even vaguely explain my head to him, I just balked. I think I felt embarrassed by my inability to get a handle on my anxiety. Grant wouldn’t have judged me, I know that now. I was so in my head though, I didn’t believe it then. I packed my side of our apartment, threw two months rent on the counter, and left. I’ve answered the obligatory “Happy Birthday” texts he’s sent my way, but largely ignored any attempt to pry deeper.

Despite my obvious avoidance, Grant sent:

see u there

only ten seconds after I sent:

the center gym in 15?

No questions asked. That’s Grant for you— avoid him for two years but he’ll still be down for a gym session if you need him.

I quickly change back into the clothes I used for my run, opting to keep my current shirt on but switching my pants, eager to blow off the unfinished steam from my encounter with Will. And Olivia.

Grant, forever the intuitive friend, senses this. “I’m assuming you saw your brother.”

“Yup.”

“And that went… poorly?”

“You could say that.” I know he wants me to elaborate, but I’m not sure where to begin. Instead, I sit down on the first rowing machine in sight and begin securing the foot straps.

“Okay, let’s try this a different way. Hey, Ben. How’s your day so far? Do anything interesting?”

Sensing the end of his good will, I relent, shaking my head.

“Pretty sure I interrupted Will and his girlfriend in a fight. Probably wasn’t the best moment to let him know I’m back.” I pick up the pace on the rowing machine as I feel my adrenaline kick back in. Grant’s attempting to match my speed, but something about his size makes it difficult for him to keep up.

“Shit. He didn’t know? I’m guessing he was pissed.” He’s slightly huffing at this point, and it’s definitely a boost to my ego. Two years off the court, competitively, and I’ve still got the endurance. I feel my adrenaline rising further and decide to keep my version of today’s incident brief.

“You’d think that,” I say, recalling Olivia’s scathing reaction to me.

Grant turns his head toward me, his right eyebrow slightly raised. He picks up the pace a tad more, despite his clunking form. He’s asking for more context and I know we’re not leaving these rowers until he’s content.

“What do you mean?”

“He didn’t really do anything. His girlfriend though… I’m assuming it was his girlfriend.” I add, feigning disinterest. “She was livid.”

I knew exactly who Olivia was before I approached. Seeing them argue across the hall was part of why I decided to go over there in the first place. “I was just about to interrupt when she slammed into me and then… I don’t know I just kind of froze up and she told me to fuck off.”

“Damn,” Grant chuckles, “so you met Olivia.” He’s beaming as if he’s in on some joke that I have no clue about.

“Is she always like that? Kind of… rude?” I ask, thinking back to that moment in the corridor where I felt like I was seeing into her soul, only for her to sharply bring me out of my trance by basically calling me a great value super hero.

Grant’s wearing a sheepish grin. “Not at all. Maybe you're just not used to girls not falling all over you.” I roll my eyes.

“I don’t think she knew who I was.” I smirk, sweat beading on my forehead as I pick up my pace.

“Will didn't mention you?” Grant asks, sounding out of breath.

“Apparently not. How’s Will been? Do they fight often?” I direct the conversation back to what I should actually be worrying about. Grant’s face goes solemn as he sighs.

“I don’t know what Will’s been up to lately, honestly. He hasn’t really been hanging out as much. He’s either at practice, or he’s with Olivia. She spends a lot of time at the newspaper, so she hasn’t been around much. I mean, I definitely have seen them argue— hell, the whole team has. Olivia’s definitely not the type to let a guy walk all over her though. She can hold her own with him, if that’s what you’re asking.” Relief washes over me at the thought that they’re not good together and everyone knows it, but guilt follows quickly there after. I take a deep breath as I stretch my arms upward, preparing for the damage I know Grant is going to inflict on me when this workout gets started.

“Yeah, I believe it.” Her reaction definitely set me on edge, but I can’t stop remembering how it felt to exist under her gaze. How it felt to have her attention.

“He will get over you being back, don’t worry,” Grant cuts into my thoughts. “But Ben?”

I turn my head towards him, my brows arching in question.

“You haven’t been around, and I know he’s your brother and all but just … tread lightly. He’s always been a hot head, but if you were hoping that girl would chill him out, you’re in for a surprise.” He shoots me a look, one that says he remembers more than he’s letting on.

I think again about the incident this morning and what Grant’s saying doesn’t surprise me. Remembering the feeling of Olivia's delicate frame against my chest, I feel my face flush and I silently curse myself, hoping he doesn’t notice. Grant’s been a lot of things, but I wouldn’t have said observant until today.

For a brief moment I have the urge to confide in him, confirm that his assumptions are more than likely true, but my common sense wins out. This thing with Olivia needs to stay where it is— in my head.

“Noted.” I slow my rower, wiping the machine down with the towel on my shoulder. “Now show me the circuit you were bragging about.”