Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Risk - Wyatt
Just as I finish buttoning up my white dress shirt, my phone buzzes on the bathroom counter.
I glance down at the screen, and when I see Dad is texting me, I have a strong urge to ignore it.
It’s Saturday night, and I’m taking my Gracie girl out somewhere nice for dinner.
The kind of restaurant you can’t stroll inside with flip-flops and a T-shirt on, and I’m excited about it because outside of taking a girl to a fraternity formal or hockey banquet, I’ve never done this before.
I’ve never done it before when it mattered.
I sigh and tap open his message:
Son, I know it’s Saturday night, but remember your focus. Go out, have some fun, use condoms, but be sure to get your sleep. Remember your mobility work for your hips tomorrow.
I clench my jaw as I stare down at the screen. He doesn’t care what I’m doing or how I am as long as it doesn’t interfere with his plan to get me drafted.
His plan. Not mine.
I think of how Grace was so brave when she told her mom what she was really thinking. I wish I could do the same.
I wonder what would happen if I did. If I told him, enough, I’m going to make it to the NHL on my terms, my plan, and not his. I can’t even fathom the drama that would cause.
There’s going to be enough drama when I introduce him to Grace as my girlfriend next week.
As I stare at the screen, I wonder if I’m going about this wrong. Will Dad blame Grace for what he’ll perceive as a change in my thinking? That my new thoughts and actions are a result of her, when they’ve been buried inside of me since I was a teenager?
I shake my head. If I tell him off about hockey, and then he meets Grace, he’ll find a way to blame her. I have to protect her. Maybe we don’t come out to my parents that weekend.
The more I think about it, I know that’s what I have to do. I will not have her dragged into this when our relationship is so new. Before, it seemed like a good way for me to show my dad I was an adult and wasn’t going to follow the playbook for his dreams anymore.
But now? I won’t put Grace through that. She has enough to deal with right now between her mom and switching majors, then the rumor she heard from her duet partner about athletic department cuts. Does she need the stress of my dad rejecting our relationship?
No. I won’t do it. My family shitshow could be enough to drive the strongest woman away. And I won’t let that happen with Grace.
I pick up my phone and type an accurate message back to my dad:
Don’t worry. I’m good.
Then I slide the phone into the pocket of my gray trousers and leave the room, heading downstairs.
“Well, look at this fit check,” Sebastian says from his position on the couch, where he’s playing a video game with Austin. “Is there a fraternity dance?”
“Shut up. No. I’m taking Gracie to dinner,” I say, picking up my keys off the countertop.
“Are you going to Jonesy’s party later?” Austin asks, not lifting his eyes from the screen.
Donovan Jones is our goalie, and he lives with a couple other guys from the team. Normally I’d be in for their party tonight.
But when I think of what I can do with Grace back in my room tonight when we’re alone? Hell no.
“Nope,” I say.
“You’re so P-whipped.” Sebastian grins.
“Call it whatever you want,” I say, genuinely not caring.
“I get it,” Austin says. “I mean, I don’t want a girlfriend, but if you have to have one, Grace is the kind you want.”
“You definitely got the right roommate,” Sebastian says, picking up his beer and taking a sip. “Madelyn never stops talking. I quit listening to her about ten minutes after our mixer started last night. I know she’s Gracie’s friend, but oh my God, she’s boring.”
I roll my eyes as I lean against the kitchen island. Nolan comes downstairs, grinning when he sees me. “Is Coach swinging by for a fit check?” he says, going to the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water.
“Fuck off,” I say, laughing. “Are you going with these idiots to Jonesy’s party?”
“Yeah,” he says, screwing the cap off the bottle. Then he lifts a brow. “Want me to stay out later than last time? Need the house to yourself?”
“No sex on any kitchen surface,” Sebastian calls out.
I look past him to the large windows overlooking the pool. “There will be no sex in the kitchen,” I say firmly. But outside might be a different story. And an even better one.
I pick up my phone to message Grace:
About to leave. Can you put a swimsuit in your overnight bag? The guys are all going to be out at a party tonight, so we can have the pool to ourselves. Maybe you can show me some of your swimming moves.
I wait for her to reply before I leave, and she messages me back:
Fair warning, if you get me in the water, it’s hard to get me out of it.
I think of all kinds of things I could do to her in the water and grin as I type back:
Fair warning, I might get hard IN the water.
I picture her blushing and grin.
“See you guys later,” I say, heading toward the door. “And I do mean way later.”
Nolan tips his water bottle at me in acknowledgement of my meaning, and Sebastian gives a mock salute.
I exit the house and get in my Jeep, ready to surprise Grace tonight.
I told her dressy, and I know she’s going to look hot when I pick her up.
I make the quick drive down to Greek Row, which is quiet since it’s early now.
But in a few hours, this area will be just as busy as it was last night.
There will be loads of house parties and apartment parties and the bars will be packed.
And I will be home with Grace. I’m the luckiest bastard around.
I find a parking spot on the street and walk up the massive trail of steps to the sprawling mansion. I look across the street at Alpha Xi Pi, where some of my fraternity brothers are hanging out on the porch drinking.
It’s sad that a few assholes ruined that experience, but they have. Has anything happened since I put Rob and those other assholes on notice? No. And that’s a huge improvement. Cade, the president, even thanked me for dragging those clowns into decency.
But I’ll never stay in a house where guys felt it was okay to not only spread gossip about Grace but create an entire bet around her.
It’s time to leave.
And I’m telling Grace tonight.
I switch back to thinking about Grace and our date tonight. I reach the front door to the house and send her another message:
I’m at your door, Gracie girl.
She messages back:
Be right down!
Butterflies fill my stomach. The door opens, a red-haired girl smiling at me. “Are you here for Grace Walsh? You can come in.”
“Thanks,” I say, stepping inside. I stare up at the massive staircase, waiting for my girl to appear.
Then she does. I suck in a breath as I see her, shimmering in this short gold halter dress that shows off her sculpted body.
She’s beautiful.
Her hair is long and straight, and I know it will smell like that scent I can’t figure out—vanilla or sugar?—and a faint hint of chlorine. Her makeup seems to shimmer, making her look even more radiant than usual.
But when she spots me and her face lights up? I can feel my heart beat faster, knowing that smile is mine.
She comes down the stairs, and my eyes flick over her long legs and strappy high heels, and Christ, the whole look is so hot. When she reaches the bottom step, I fold her in my arms, inhaling her sweet scent.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her as I step back. “Just ... gorgeous.”
A happy pink tint colors her cheeks. “Thank you. I like how you look, too.”
I smile, pleased that she likes how I clean up. “Are you ready?”
She nods. I extend my hand to her, wiggling my fingers, and she puts her hand in mine. I clasp it and we head outside.
“I know I just saw you this morning, but I have so much to tell you,” Grace says as she navigates the steps in her high heels.
“You know you can message me anytime you want,” I remind her.
“I never want to bother you. I don’t want you to ever think I’m going to be clingy or invade your space.”
I stop on a step, which causes her to stop walking, too.
I turn to her, take my free hand, and put one finger under her chin, tilting it up so she’s looking at me.
“You,” I say firmly, “are my girl. You can talk to me whenever you want. I also would like to remind you that I know you have your own interests and friends, and I have no fears of you ever invading my space. You’re a college athlete.
A writer for Cove Style. A sorority sister.
I’m lucky I get to see you when I do, now that I think about it. ”
Grace winces, and then she touches her necklace.
“What’s wrong?” I ask quickly.
“I’ll tell you in the car,” she says.
Worry gnaws at me as we walk down the rest of the steps. I open the passenger door to the car, help her in, and as soon as I’m behind the wheel I turn to her. “Talk to me.”
Grace exhales. “I heard from another person who is connected that all the aquatic teams are on the chopping block.”
“How connected?” I ask, wanting all the information first.
“From the son of a high-level football booster,” Grace says. “So now I’m hearing whispers from people inside the athletic department and connected to boosters, all within the same week.”
My stomach begins to knot. I put my hand over my mouth, thinking. “I agree with you. This isn’t good. I mean, it could just be the conversation stage, but they’re obviously thinking about it.”
“They’re thinking about it without even talking to us,” Grace says angrily.
“Will we have a chance to see the numbers? Will we get to see if we can get sponsorships or do fundraising? They are going to sit around some stupid conference table and kill a bunch of programs they see as meaningless. But they aren’t!
They mean something to the athletes who work so hard to represent OCU, and the people in charge don’t care. ”
I stare at her, seeing the frustration and passion blazing in her blue eyes.