GRAYSON #2
It was my turn to be shocked. “But it’s the sweetest when you work hard for it.”
“Man, I’ve got enough struggles on my plate,” he said. “Dating is not one of them. If a girl rolls her eyes at me like Collins does at you, I would be out of there and never try again.”
I pressed my index finger against Cole’s chest. “You, my friend, are missing out. Avery doesn’t actually hate me.
And he doesn’t really think I’m an annoying stinkbug who solely exists to pester him.
Dating is all about freestyling, and the sooner you get that, the sooner you’ll discover how fun the chase is. ”
Cole considered it and dismissed it. “Sometimes, I think you enjoy the chase more than the actual rewards.”
I would have said something clever, but it was my guard that was down, and it was Avery’s hand that slapped my shoulder.
“Not even a ‘hello?’” His voice was pretty flat, which I was starting to learn meant nothing at all.
He was a tame, composed creature. He was as stable as a mountain.
His steady demeanor wasn’t a show of disregard. It was just Avery Collins.
Cole smirked and pulled away, melting into the crowd. And the crowd dimmed in my field of vision. Everything grew still, and all that remained was this tall, handsome guy, his composed posture, and his intense gaze.
I felt a tingling rise from my stomach and take hold of my heart. “Why waste breath on that when we could be making out?”
Avery’s lips stiffened and his face hardened. I wondered if that was almost a smile. “Slow down, soldier.”
“What for?” I asked. This might have been the wrong course to take if I wanted to convince him a date with me was something he would enjoy. Then again, I couldn’t let my gaze drift to his lips without feeling the fire blaze in me and wanting to kiss him.
Damn. I am really starting to like this guy.
“I’m here,” I pointed out and laughed it off. “And you keep resisting.”
Avery moved his hand behind his back and pulled something out of his back pocket.
A card. One of mine. It featured two illustrated dinosaurs with the caption: “We could be dino-mite together.” He licked his lips and read the back.
“If I were a painter, you’d be my masterpiece.
Let’s brush strokes together at your place.
GR.” Avery lifted his gaze to meet mine and pushed the card back into his pocket. “I got it this morning.”
I shared a proud smile. “And the other two? Do you carry them around as well?”
Avery’s eyes twinkled for a moment before the spark went out. “I forgot it was in my pocket.”
“Ah, of course,” I said and nodded gravely. “Stowaway cards are such a modern-day nuisance.”
“Alright. Fine. I expected to catch you,” he admitted levelly.
“And you figured you would RSVP in person. Delightful!” My smile was genuine.
I lifted my free hand and set it on his shoulder.
Normally, it would help the other person lean into a positive reply, but this was more about my need to feel him near me.
I wanted him. It was that simple. Nothing Spencer and Cole said could change this little fact.
Avery was elusive yet oddly flirtatious.
He acted like he didn’t care either way.
These things only made me want to show off more.
“What will it take for you to agree to that date of ours?”
“I was going to ask what it would take for you to stop flooding my inbox with lovesick cards,” he said softly. The corners of his lips twitched a little.
“Oh, darling, we both know the answer to that.” My grin was hard to control. He was going to say yes. I could barely keep my heart from blowing up. “Besides, I can’t make any promises as to what you will or won’t receive. I know where you live, Collins.”
“I’ll move, I swear to God, Reed.” Avery played along. I knew it in my bones. He loved this careful dance as much as I did.
“If you really want me to stop,” I said and pulled him closer, wrapping my arm in a friendly way around his shoulders and leaning close to his ear. “All you have to do is join me for a date.”
His ears perked up, but he remained calm and composed. “And then you will stop stalking?”
My smile widened. “If you still want me to by the time our date ends.” I crossed my heart. “But you won’t.”
Avery slipped from my hold and looked into my eyes. “You are really sure of yourself, Reed. You know, that’s why I love slamming you against the boards.”
Flutters filled my stomach even as my competitive nature roared to life. We’ll see about that the next time you face me on the ice. “If it makes you happy, babe, I’ll let you slam me all the way.”
His eyebrows fell flat over his eyes. “Even I can tell that’s an innuendo.”
I reminded myself that Avery wasn’t someone who exhibited a great deal of physical attraction or his sexuality.
What I knew were rumors. I knew he was into guys enough to entertain the idea of going out with me.
Or to text me when he was bored. I switched the subject. “I heard about Milwaukee. Great job.”
“You just wait until we meet again,” Avery said, wagging his finger between us. “We’re turning the tide.”
“No shit. It only took you guys half a semester,” I said, laughing.
He shrugged. “That’s true. We had a couple of false starts. But we’re coming for you now.”
“Ooh. I’m ready. Take me, big guy.” I winked at him and reveled in the slight ghost of a smile that touched his lips. He shook his head right away as if shaking the smile off his face.
The curious look in his eyes was all that clued me in on the fact he was actually amused by me. “How do you do that?” he asked, but I was sure he was just wondering aloud.
“Be this irresistible? It’s in my blood,” I said with my cockiest grin.
He sniffed a chuckle. “How do you just pick someone and decide to annoy them into having a date?” he asked bluntly and without hesitation.
I wanted to laugh so hard that my stomach shook, but I threw my arm over his shoulders and pulled him close enough to practically press my lips against his ear. “Maybe I just like you a lot.”
My heated breath must have tickled his earlobe because he slid away from me, craning his neck and tilting his head. “Why, though?”
“Check yourself out in the mirror, dude,” I said, incredulous. “Why do you think?”
He looked straight into my eyes and I felt like he was reading my mind and gazing into my soul.
There was such fierce intensity in that look.
For all the emotion lacking on his face, his eyes carried an abundance of feelings.
It was easy to miss and just assume his looks were nothing more than a cold disdain.
I liked that it took effort to see what was below the surface.
“If I do this, Reed — if — I’m not going to sleep with you. ”
“Never say never, Collins,” I said lightly.
He shook his head thoughtfully. “I mean it. I’m not a playboy.”
“Reformed?” I teased, but it flew over his head as usual.
“Bored,” he explained, but his voice was low, like he didn’t want anyone overhearing. “It’s not my thing.”
“Good,” I said.
A short silence lingered between us. Avery appeared stiffer and cooler. He quickly blinked twice and licked his lips. “Do you still…want that date?”
My heart grew quicker than I had imagined it was possible. He wanted it. He actually wanted it. And he was afraid that the terms had changed. Oh, Avery. You need a hug. I smiled. “Did you really think I only wanted us to hook up? That’s what Grindr’s for.”
Avery’s face hardened a little more. He pressed his lips into a tight line. Such insecurity. He couldn’t be sexier if he tried. “Isn’t that what everyone always wants?”
“Not everyone. And not always.” I shot him my sweetest smile.
You’re only winning a bet, asshole, I thought, and a pang of guilt clutched my heart.
It wasn’t true. It wasn’t just that silly dare.
I’d been thrilled when they pointed to Avery.
The challenge, the possibilities, and the rewards. I wanted this guy to like me.
Avery nodded. “Okay, then.”
I laughed out loud because I couldn’t contain it. “Excellent. When? Are you playing on Friday? I need time to figure out the details. And don’t think I’ll stop with those cards until you show up to our big date.”
The skepticism on his face was precious. “Ah, alright. Friday’s fine. After practice. I can meet you around eight.”
I didn’t want to show him that I was ecstatic.
The whole dare thing paled in comparison with the excitement I felt about this.
Just the two of us, romance in the air, and a bit of razzle-dazzle.
“I have a better idea. I’ll pick you up after practice.
” I shot him a grin and waited for him to chew on that.
He sighed like an exhausted rabbit who accepted his fate.
“I guess that works, too,” he said. He tipped his head, held my gaze a moment longer, then pulled back from me.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. The smooth fade of the sides of his head and the clean, soft skin of his neck held my attention.
I watched his broad shoulders swing, the earring in his left ear dangle subtly, and I noticed a slender line of ink extending from behind his ear down his neck.
It was sexy as hell. It made me wonder where else he was tattooed.
He wouldn’t show me such things on Friday. I was sure Avery wasn’t a liar. He was probably incapable of a lie. And he wasn’t into a quickie. Not that it was part of that damned dare, but I was growing more and more interested in what Avery had to offer.
I knew there was something insatiable deep inside of me.
I knew I had a perpetually simmering lust within me.
And Avery was fanning those embers better than anyone I’d ever met before.
Maybe it was the very fact that he wasn’t willing to give in so easily.
Maybe it was just the calm and composed presence that he was.
I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but there had to be a reason why I couldn’t get Avery Collins out of my head.