Chapter 53 Sore Spot
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Sore spot
Ruby
Ryker hadn’t left my side. It was like I was his trophy and he wanted to show me off to everyone.
When he wasn’t doing that, his hands were continuously roaming over my body while he whispered all the dirty things he planned on doing to me once we got back to his place.
By the sound of it, he’d have me up all night.
After a particularly dirty play-by-play, I cleared my throat before dropping my napkin onto the table and excusing myself – again.
I’d already had to excuse myself once to use the restroom. In a dress this silky and without underwear, I couldn’t risk getting turned on. This material wouldn’t hide any trace of arousal.
“I’ll come with you,” Tori said, slipping from beneath Brady’s arm.
She’d taken the black tie theme literally, dressing in a white gown, with an actual tie knotted around her neck, along with dark gloves that came up to her armpits. In theory, she should look ridiculous, but she somehow looked so freaking good it made me consider buying a tie of my own.
The ballroom this event was being hosted in was beautiful. A large chandelier hung above the dance floor, and fairy lights were twisted within the sheer curtains lining each wall. Even the bathrooms were insane, with marble countertops and an entire section for women to sit and fix their makeup.
While Tori did just that, reapplying her red lipstick in the light-framed mirror, I sat beside her on a large velvet ottoman and stretched out my legs. I hadn’t actually needed the bathroom, just some distance between Ryker and his filthy mouth.
“This would be a perfect place to get married,” Tori said, her eyes filled with awe as they swept over the bathroom.
Not that you could even call it that. Designer dressing room felt more accurate.
“Sure, if your wedding budget is six figures.”
Clearly not one expense had been spared for the worshipped Phil-U athletes. This college ranked as one of the best in the country for producing professional athletes. The students invited tonight were their pride and joy.
“Oh no,” a voice came from behind me.
Turning, I found a blonde and a brunette fussing over the strap of one of their dresses.
“Are you okay?” Tori asked, setting down her lipstick.
The brunette looked up. “My friend’s dress strap just broke.”
“Let me take a look.”
The blonde’s dress was a simple, spaghetti-strap blue gown, with a high slit that showed off her toned and tanned legs. Her long blonde hair fell in large, loose waves, tucked behind her ears to showcase a stunning pair of earrings.
Her friend was in a strapless red dress, tight around the bodice and flowing out around her hips. She had her hair tied in a sleek ponytail, which suited the style of the dress perfectly.
“I could easily fix this if I had a needle and thread,” Tori said.
The blonde glanced at the brunette. “Lana has some. I saw her put it in her bag before we left.”
The brunette nodded. “I’ll go and find her. Stay here.”
The blonde offered an apologetic smile once her friend left. “Thank you for your help. I’m sorry to hold you up.”
I dismissively waved. “It’s fine. Really. It’s a good excuse to sit down for five minutes. I didn’t buy these heels for the comfort.”
The blonde chuckled. “Tell me about it. I made a joke about wearing sneakers tonight and just about gave my boyfriend’s sister a heart attack.” She sheepishly gestured to her dress. “She planned my whole outfit.”
I pointed towards Tori. “She did the same for me.”
The blonde laughed. “What would we do without friends like that? I’m Grace by the way.”
“Ruby,” I smiled. “And this is Tori.”
Tori, who was still fiddling with the broken strap, looked up at Grace. “I love your accent. Where are you from?”
“Australia. But I, ugh, kind of live here now I suppose.”
Tori nodded. “Ah, of course. You’re Holloway’s girlfriend. The famous exchange student who ended his no girlfriend rule.”
Grace shyly combed her fingers through her loose waves. “That’s me.”
I studied her as the dots connected. So this was the girl Ryker had been hung up on – the one he’d wagered a bet with the hockey captain to win over.
The appeal was obvious. Grace was freaking gorgeous. She also seemed nice, and it didn’t surprise me that Ryker had been drawn to a girl like her.
Attractive and nice described him too.
“Are you here tonight for your boyfriend?” I asked.
“Kind of,” Grace answered. “I’m with my team as well. I was at Phil-U on a swimming scholarship.”
The door burst open as the brunette returned with another girl in tow. I had to do a double take, thinking I was coming face-to-face with Kendall Jenner. This girl could be her twin.
She paced straight towards Tori and Grace, walking effortlessly in her six-inch heels.
Her dress was practically pasted to her, with parts sheer or missing entirely to show off sections of her skin.
I wasn’t versed in high-end fashion, but I knew enough to appreciate her dress came with a hefty price tag.
“Riley said there was a crisis.”
The original brunette, who I was guessing was Riley, rolled her eyes. “I said Grace needs your needle and thread. Nothing about a crisis.”
“A wardrobe malfunction is a crisis. Have I taught you girls nothing?”
Grace laughed lightly. “This is Lana. My boyfriend’s sister.”
“Lana Holloway?” Tori asked, her eyes lighting up.
When Lana nodded, Tori actually blushed.
“Are you kidding? I follow your TikToks and took your advice when my skin was breaking out. Your go-to combination was honestly heaven in a bottle.”
“Right,” Lana agreed with excitement. “I couldn’t gatekeep a combo that killer.”
You had to love a woman’s bathroom. This was where all the magic happened.
By the time we finally left, it felt as though we’d been in there for half the night. I could’ve easily hung around much longer too. Grace and her friends were nice – despite being affiliated with the hockey team.
When we returned to the ballroom, I found Ryker waiting with a tall, dark-haired, and ridiculously attractive guy. He had a strong jawline that I could crack a beer on – not that I particularly liked beer, but I’d drink one if he gave it to me.
What the hell did they feed the students at this school? Was there a fountain of hotness I didn’t know about?
The guy relaxed once he spotted Grace. “We were worried–”
“Outfit mishap,” Grace explained, nestling up beside him.
Ah, Levi Holloway I was guessing. Now I thought about it, I had seen him at some of the Phil-U parties Ryker had dragged me to over the years.
Thinking back to those nights, I remembered other girls sliding up beside him, just like Grace was now. But unlike those times, he had never looked at them the way he was looking at her.
“Are you good?” Ryker checked, reaching for me.
I stepped into his outstretched arm. “I’m fine.”
After dancing her gaze between Ryker and me, Grace smiled sweetly. “I didn’t realise you were here with Ryker. How did you two meet?”
“Rubz and I go way back,” Ryker explained. “We grew up together.”
The MC’s voice came over the speakers, asking for everyone to return to their seats so that the presentation could begin.
“Well, you two look really good together,” Grace said, sounding genuine. “It was nice meeting you, Ruby.”
“You too.”
As Grace and Levi – along with every other guest – returned to their tables, Ryker didn’t budge, seeming unfazed that we were the last ones left on the outskirts.
Keeping his hand on my forearm, he stepped around to face me. “So, that was–”
“I figured it out on my own. I can see the appeal. She’s beautiful.”
His thumb absentmindedly spun the bracelet on my left wrist – a gift from him for my eighteenth birthday. “I’m not into her in that way anymore, I swear. Grace is cool and all, but she’s not the girl for me. She’s not the one I want.”
The concern on his face was unnecessary. I hadn’t been worried, or even jealous for that matter, but I understood why he thought I might be.
“I’m not sure I can say the same,” I teased. “That Holloway guy is hot.”
Ryker’s expression shifted quickly. “Rubz–”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “I’m sorry, Wheels. Sore spot, right?”
He huffed. “Just a little bit.”
“Don’t worry. You’re the hottest guy here. And I bet you have the best abs. And the best dick. And can do the best things with your tongue.”
He still seemed slightly concerned, so I rose onto my toes and drew his head closer.
“You’re the only one I want too, Wheels.”
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.”