“About you. I hope you realize how beautiful you are. You’re so happy, and I didn’t want you to continue thinking I thought you were anything but amazing. That’s all. But, this means nothing, okay? It’s just a compliment,” he rambled, his words blurring in a rush.
“Thank you.” I avoided his eyes, looking at my hands instead. “Thanks for the ride, too.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night, Grace.”
Sure, yeah, okay. I’d have a good night all right, thinking about his sweet words and heated eyes.
Chapter Ten
It was an away-game day.Fritz gave me a pep talk and made sure I packed everything I needed for the weekend. He even dropped me off at the stadium with players scattered everywhere. I didn’t know what to do. Did I find Brock? Logan?
I glanced around, deciding to stand off to the side and wait and see what happened. Nerves danced down my spine, sweat pooling right above my waistline. Great.
I didn’t wait long when Brock walked up to me, serious as hell with a frown plastered on that angelic face. He looked like someone had stolen his breakfast burritos.
I thought about it for a second and decided I would be grumpy, too, if someone stole mine. I went with a cheery smile, waving like a dork. “Hey, boss. You ready for this awesome road trip?”
One side of his mouth twitched, which changed his expression from grumpy to mildly amused. I would take it.
“Four hours. I hate the bus ride.”
I wondered if it had to do with his injury but didn’t ask. I clasped my hands together, whistling the theme song toFriends. I binged watched an entire season that morning.
“That guy, Fritz, is your roommate, right?”
I jerked my head. What a random question. “Yeah, why?”
“He works with you at the restaurant, too?” The infamous frown came back, somehow deeper and more profound.
“Yeah, again,” I said, narrowing my eyes. My heart picked up, analyzing the reasons he was asking these questions way past the point of being healthy. “I love the question game, but these are random as hell.”
“Are you involved with him?” His voice was even, calm, and nothing like the one I was used to. His blue eyes stared intensely at me, but then again, his eyes only had three moods. They were either soft, angry, or intense. I didn’t know how long I just stared back at him until his brows raised, a little annoyance flaring in them. “Well?”
Instead of answering like the mature person I pretended to be, I burst out laughing. “Me and Fritz? Oh, no, no, no.” I laughed, putting my hand on his forearm, the thought of being intimate with Fritz made me gag. “Hell to the no.”
“Does he always touch you?”
Woah. His sharp tone drew me from my laughing fit. His face was so serious. Mad. Intense. Pissed. And was that a hint of jealousy? No. Couldn’t be. I stopped laughing, finding the words to appease his sudden questioning. “Fritz is a touchy person. I am too, actually. He’s always been that way, but it has never meant anything. Ever.”
“He touches you a lot.” He scratched his jaw, torn at whatever he was thinking.
I gave him a break and kept talking, so he wouldn’t have to. “Fritz and I have lived together,withhis sister, for three years. They are, in every sense of the word, my siblings. My family. They are super Italian and super touchy. I got used to it.” I laughed, seeing the lines on his face relax a little. “The thought of kissing Fritz makes my stomach turn a little bit. I mean, sure, he’s good-looking, but I know way too damn much about him.”
He didn’t respond and, instead, gave me a curt nod. Then, he walked away. I closed my eyes, shaking my head at myself. It was always so hot and cold, nice and not nice. Freaking Brock was a head case.
Lips pursed, attitude amped, I waited there alone, like I had all the confidence in the world. Everyone seemed to be busy doing something and standing by idly when I could help didn’t sit well with me.
I found Anderson bent over near piles of luggage that needed to be loaded onto the busses. I watched, not at all being creepy, as he went over a checklist. I hustled over there, dropping my bag on the ground. “Anderson, can I help?”
“Sure. We can load this into the bottom storage area.” He stood up, giving me a small smile. “Glad you wore comfy clothes.”
“I own two dresses, max. Why do you think I chose this route for a career? It’s all for comfort and the awesome style.” I picked up the first box and headed to the loading area. “So, Anderson?”
“We’re back to that, then?” He carried two boxes in his arms and raised his brows.
“You have many, many names in my head. Anderson is one of the safer ones,” I said immediately.
He let out a quick laugh before he shoved equipment boxes into the bus. We went back to grab more supplies, water bottles, and first aid kits.
