I wink at Karla before turning back to Nan. “I’m pretty nosy myself, so no worries.”
“Good to hear. So, why don’t you tell me what’s going on between you and my grandson?”
Karla gives me a look that saysI told you soand skips away, leaving me alone in the hole I dug myself.
Nan holds onto me with a careful smile, looking so kind and open that it makes me want to spill my guts about the confusing turmoil her grandson is putting me through.
Thankfully, Kenneth’s arrival saves me from embarrassing myself.
I stay in line so Nan can go to him, promising to bring back popcorn with extra butter.
A few minutes later, with popped perfection in hand, I make my way back to the group. Kenneth’s head lifts before I’ve even made it halfway across the room. His lips shape into the smile that’s just for me, sending those stupid butterflies in my belly into overdrive.
Nan reaches up and pats his cheek. “I can’t wait to tell the ladies in PT that my grandson is the National Champion. My Fishie!”
Kenneth’s eyes cut to me when I giggle, narrowed in a way that should be threatening. Too bad it’s downright adorable.
After more congratulate hugs, Shay, Cade, and Cade’s mom and sister head back into the stands to watch another race. I’m right behind them until Kenneth grabs my wrist and asks me to stay. I should feel like an outsider watching the Grays interact, but I don’t. All three of them make me feel like part of their family, filling me in on inside jokes and telling me embarrassing stories about Kenneth. With every groan and grumble, I’m more and more convinced he’s loving every second of this.
“Crap,” Nan mutters.
“What’s up?” Kenneth asks.
“I left my purse upstairs. Karla, let’s go look for it.” She nudges her granddaughter, who is saving her number in my phone for our thrifting day.
Nan links their arms, and as they disappear up the stairs, I spot a poorly hidden leather purse behind Nan’s back.
Kenneth must catch it too because he’s shaking his head when I turn back to him. “They feed off each other’s energy. Always have. The funny part is that I’ll put up with their sneakiness if it means they’re here.”
“I’m so glad they were both able to watch you today. You were amazing out there, Gray.”
Kenneth brushes our hands together, sending a zap of electricity through my fingers. “All I know is that I’m one point away from you having to be my date to the gala. 11-11, Eddie. I’ll break the tie soon.”
I shove him away. “You always have to ruin the moment, huh?”
He gives me a once over, assessing my outfit. When his eyes finally meet mine again, I take a moment to memorize the exact shade of green that looks back at me. Have they always been like this? So soft and beautiful?
“Thank you, Mallory.”
All the air leaves my lungs. My first name sounds foreign coming from his mouth, pleasant and dizzying at the same time. For almost three years, I’ve been Eddie, Ed, or Edwards.
“For?” I choke out.
“For being the loudest one out there, just like you promised, and for helping me realize I can’t let fear hold me back.” He swallows hard, dropping his eyes to focus on the tinyKGon my front pocket. “Last season was rough, and I was so scared this one would be the same. But when I looked in the stands and saw you, I knew I had to keep my side of the promise. To do my best.”
Genuine Kenneth smiles aimed at me are a rarity. Well,werea rarity. Now it’s like he can’t keep himself from gracing me with them.
Long gone are the hard glares and smug grins, and I’m not sure why that doesn’t worry me.
Kenneth opens his arms and even though hugging him is all I want to do, I stop him with a hand to his hard chest.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He freezes, cheeks tinted crimson. “Hugging you?”
“I think not. Your skin is contaminated.”
Even though my tone is deadly serious, his hurt expression is replaced by one that makes me think he isn’t taking me seriously at all. His heart pulses rapidly against my palm.
