I decided to toy with him because, hell, I was kind of an asshole, too. Plus, it was so much fun. I sucked in my bottom lip, frowning and taking my time answering. “I think I might. He said the party he was heading to was going to have Jell-O wrestling, and it wouldn’t be weird if I wore this. I heard girls do it naked anyway.”
“You’re joking.”
“I don’t know. I’m just looking for a good time.”
“I know you’re teasing, but I still hate every word that you just said,” he said, humor gone.
“Um, I’m a three-time champion of Jell-O wrestling.” I bit back a laugh, loving his frown. “I really found my calling my freshmen year. It was cherry Jell-O, and I only had a swimsuit.”
He leaned toward me, eyes blazing. “Do you like frustrating me?”
“Immensely so, yes.” I laughed. “I’m clearly lying. You’re too easy.” I searched my bag for my phone to put on my music, and he released a long groan. “Honestly, Brock, who cares if I wanted to do that? I can still be young and free. I’m sure you’ve done stupid things.”
“Of course, you can, Grace,” he mumbled. “And yeah, I have. You’re better than I was at your age, that’s for damn sure.”
I snuck a peek at him and saw his pained face. I felt a little bad then, but he had no right to act all fatherly. “Note to self: Anderson is sensitive about Jell-O wrestling conversations.”
“I heard that.”
“I meant you to,” I said, nudging his shoulder. He slowly took off the headphones, giving me a lazy look that sent waves of heat through me. “So, do we head back to the hotel? If you have plans you can go do what you need to do. I’m a dork and looked up beforehand that this hotel has a hot tub.”
His head jerked to mine, his expressive face stone serious. “You brought a swimming suit?”
“Yes?” I asked, unsure why he looked like I told him pigs fly. “You know, the thing you wear when you go in water?”
“Smartass.” He laughed, his cheek twitching a bit before he turned to look at me. “I was going to say we should go grab a beer somewhere.”
“Oh, I like that idea, too.”
“I figured you might. We can walk to a pub or just hang out at the hotel bar. I’m laid back despite what you think, so it’s your call.”
“Hotel bar it is. Anything to stay in my yoga pants wins for me every time.”
“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Playful Brock was back, lord help me.
* * *
An hour later,after surviving the bus ride back to the hotel, Brock and I sat with Logan and Chris at the bar with tall amber ales in big glasses. I took a swig, moaning at how cold and good it tasted. My neck tingled, and I met Brock’s stare. I winked at him over my glass. His surprised reaction made it totally worth it.
“I feel high as fuck right now,” Logan said loud enough for everyone to hear. “I need to find a pretty girl and release all this energy.”
“Why didn’t you head out to the clubs?” I asked, earning a grin from Brock. “I’m sure you could use Tinder or whatever apps you use for ass.”
“Yeah, yeah, of course, I could Grace.” Logan huffed, then turned his full Logan charm on me and lowered his voice. “Sometimes, the chase is more fun than the action. Tinder is too easy. Have you seen my face? Very few people don’t accept me.”
“God, you’re cocky.” He did make me laugh though. He was quite pretty for a man, almost every woman that passed by did a double, or triple take.
“Please. You know what it’s like with a face like yours.” He motioned to my face with his beer, and my entire body turned red. “I’m sure you get hit on all the damn time, and you don’t even know it.”
“Uh, I don’t know.”
Chris and Logan shared a look and snorted. I looked up to see Brock’s jaw tight as hell, but his eyes were on the gentleman standing at the bar looking right at me. I gulped. Wow. He was good looking. Logan whistled and said, “Twelve o’clock, girl.”
“Uh.” I blinked a couple of times, unsure what to do. “This isn’t a norm for me.”
“Normally, you go talk to the poor bloke,” Logan said, laughing and hitting the table. “Come on, Grace. Don’t be a chicken.”
“I’m not a chicken. I’m content hanging with you guys,” I said, avoiding Brock’s eyes. They burned into me, and that awkward zing came back. Logan’s mouth parted in disgust, and he hit my shoulder.
