Page 43 of Never Say Never
“Yeah, this year, he wants me to focus on getting adjusted to the intensity of being at nationals, get my feet wet. But then next year we’ll start pushing.”
“Love it.” It’s awesome seeing Grace so happy and chatty. She’s a natural giver, but it’s been at the expense of what she wants for herself way too often.
“What about you? Rookie minicamp was good?”
“It flew by. Well, the meeting stuff dragged a little, but it was great to be practicing again. I’ve been working out with a couple of the other rookie wide receivers since then too.”
Chance, Ty, and I have been timing our sessions at the Waves’ facility gym so we can keep each other entertained. It’s a hell of a lot better than working out solo.
Ty seems content to drop Nate from our group, which has made the energy more chill too. Presumably, Nate’s off hanging with the other running backs.
“That’s great. Johnson says he’ll text you soon about practicing at the house. He just came back from shooting a commercial in New York.”
“Nice.”
We walk a few steps in silence before she speaks up again.
“It’s wild about this Avery Parker stuff. There’s really nothing going on? Because it’s all over my feed.”
I’ve confided in Grace about women in the past, but for some reason I don’t share the full truth about my interest.
“Truly, there’s nothing there. She’smaybea friend now after the interview and hanging out at the club, but nothing more.” Not to mention, I don’t even have a way to reach her.
Grace looks at me with keen eyes. “She’s gorgeous.”
“She is.” Can’t argue that.
“And I wouldn’t say this in front of the boys, but you had a look in your eyes in the video.”
“You watched the video?”
“Rawls,everyonehas seen it.”
I sigh. “Okay, what ‘look’ do you mean?”
“A look I’ve seen a time or two as your sister. You care about her.”
Fuck, Grace knows me too well.
“I still barely know her. I only cared that she got home safe. And she’s made it clear she’s not interested.”
Well, shit, I guess I just confirmed to my sister that I’d tested the waters with Avery.
“Uh-huh.” A little grin creeps on her face, but she mercifully drops the topic as Grover saves the day, finally doing his business.
We turn to walk back to Landon’s house, and I distract Grace by asking her about her job. When we return, I fix us lunch, and then she takes off for some meetings.
Within a few minutes of her departure, I head to the Waves’ facility to get in my work out with Chance and Ty.
A simple, easy day on the whole, before I return home at five.
My phone pings right as I walk into the house, echoing across the front entry. I check my messages andoh?—
STEFANI: Hi!
STEFANI: I’ve been in rehearsals non-stop the last few days, but I just saw the video of you and Avery Parker.
Great.I hadn’t even thought about the fact that it might reach her.
