Page 103 of Stroked Long
“It’s not, Bodi. I’m going to Rio.”
I study her for a second and I realize Ruby would never joke with me on something like that. “What about the Boys’ and Girls’ Club?”
“I already talked to Rita. There is a college student looking for an internship opportunity. She’s going to cover for the time I’ll be away, and with the money I will earn with Bellini, I won’t have to worry about not paying my bills.”
“I would have paid them if it was an issue,” I say, completely serious. I would take care of her. I want to take care of her. I want to be the one she leans on.
A warm smile greets me as she touches my cheek. “You’re so sweet, but I will be okay. Everything is working out. I’m going to Rio. And . . .” she pauses to do a little drum roll on my chest, making me laugh, “I got Bellini to agree to let me stay two days after your events are done so we can explore the city together.”
I’m in shock. When I was cleaning my apartment earlier, the last thing I expected to hear was that Ruby has a ticket to Rio and will be there.
“Does that mean you will be at the swimming competition?”
She bites her bottom lip and nods. “Bellini said I will be attached to her hip when I’m not sewing. I have to share a room with this creeper she calls Pocket, but that’s fine, it’s just for sleeping. I was hoping we could get a hotel room for those two days after.”
“I can’t believe this.” I rub my face, totally in awe.
“Are you happy? I didn’t overstep my boundaries, did I?”
“Are you kidding? Rubes, I’m fucking ecstatic. Come here.” She easily falls into my chest and I breathe in her sweet scent, loving the way her presence eases the tension constantly rolling through me. “My girl is going to see me swim in the Olympics. I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m going to see you swim.” She says this as if she can’t believe it herself. “I can’t wait, but I will tell you this, if I see some ho with a sign that saysMarry me, Bodi Banks, I’m going to have to unleash my karate chop.”
“Understandable.” I chuckle, lowering to the couch and hovering over her. “My Rubes is going to watch me swim.”
“Your Rubes,” she sighs.
Fuck if I don’t feel like I just hit the jackpot.Fuck if I don’t feel terrified I’ll lose her.
***
“It’s so fucking hot here,” Reese says next to me, fanning himself with his baseball hat.
We just arrived in San Antonio for training camp, and it could not be hotter. The pool isn’t even fun to swim in because the sun has made it feel like a lukewarm bath.
The team is bouncing with excitement, especially the newbies, but Reese and me? We know the drill; we’ve done this already. We know to conserve energy, stay off our feet, drinks lots of water, and that’s what we’re doing.
“Unbearable,” I add, not really sure what else to say. I might be able to open up to Ruby, but other people? Not so much. Still awkward as fuck.
“Are you going to do the song and dance thing the girls have been planning?”
Since we are all part of Team USA, we practice, travel, and participate in everything with the girls, meaning, whatever stupid shit they come up with, we are asked to join in. Last Olympics they put together lip-sync music videos. You can imagine: my worst fucking nightmare. They caught me on camera looking out the window of the airplane while everyone else danced beside me, and that was the best they were going to get from me.
Rumor has it, the girls have been planning to put together another video. This time to that new Justin Timberlake song he did for the movieTrolls. You know, the one overplayed on the radio already.
“No. Does it look like I want to participate in that?”
Reese’s shoulders shake as he laughs. “Didn’t think you would be interested.”
“Are you going to do it?” Reese is a pretty good guy, and for some reason the media has pinned our relationship as rivalry, when in fact, we’re cool with each other. They also have sourly named him The Silver Stroke since he always earns silver at the games. If that were me, that would fuck with my head. I don’t know how he keeps coming back for more.
“Who me? That bad boy of the pool? The guy with the shitty reputation for not being a team player? Of course not.” Sarcasm drips from his voice. Another misgiving.
“Didn’t think so.”
“Reese, can we get you for an interview?” someone calls from the side.
Exhaling a long breath, Reese flicks my knee with his hat and says, “Duty calls. Catch you later, Banks.”
