∞∞∞

I’ve to say, the luxurious suite we’ll watch from is much nicer than the nosebleed part I sat in years in the past once I went with a good friend’s church youth group to a sport once I was in junior excessive.

The individuals swarming round me, largely gamers’ households, drip cash. I’m changing into accustomed to the take care of nowadays with the Walkers.

Hah, that’s an excellent one, however at the least my jaw manages to not visibly drop each time I see one of many wives’ large diamond rings.

If solely my abdomen didn’t ache so, a quiet risk to a magical night. I sip from the water bottle I plucked from a well-stocked buffet desk upon arrival. Subsequent to me, Avery does the identical. Tripp stands beside her, engaged in full of life dialog with a person who was launched to me as a retired participant and present government with the membership. As we shook palms, he winked and made a comment about Grey settling down. I want individuals wouldn’t say stuff like that. Naturally, Dr. Chelsea was inside eavesdropping distance.

Somebody bumps into me for in regards to the hundredth time, and I’ve been right here perhaps thirty minutes. A trickle of perspiration makes its manner down my sternum. I pivot to inform Avery I’m going to discover a place to take a seat, when a heat hand slides round my waist.

Grey, eyes bugged, begins a perusal on the high of my head, flowing it down from there. No inch of my individual is bypassed, together with my naked shoulders and, properly…every little thing. My coronary heart races. He likes it.

His throat bobs. “The place’s the jersey?”

My coronary heart sinks. “I’m so sorry, Grey. I spilled my latte throughout it.” I weave our fingers collectively. “It was such a candy reward, however there was no time to scrub it. Annalise loaned me this outfit. I actually am so sorry.”

The smoky smile he casts over me awakens napping butterflies. “Jersey-shmersey. You look…” He wraps the opposite arm round my waist and teases my ear along with his lips. “Superb.”

My coronary heart doubles in measurement. Grey says simply the proper issues.

I slowly compose myself and lay my palm on his agency chest. “I didn’t count on you proper now.”

“I snuck away for a minute.” He sighs. “I positive want I might keep. Received one other interview in a bit. How’s it going up right here?”

He warned me he wouldn’t be round in the course of the precise sport, both, which received’t kick off, or no matter it’s known as, for practically one other hour. He’ll be within the dugout along with his workforce, however he can guess I’ll be looking forward to him on the screens right here once they present the workforce on TV. I’ve already seen his first interview with a number of different gamers—in addition to with a reporter who touched him each time she requested a query. “It’s going nice.”

He squints. “You look drained.”

Sure, my life isn’t accustomed to a lot…life. I pat his chest. “Stick to attractive subsequent time, okay?” I sound virtually intelligent, don’t I?

His cologne encircles me. His cheeks dimple. “You bought it, child.”

Our second doesn’t final. A lot of individuals need his consideration. He introduces a stream of recent faces. It’s dreadful and thrilling on the identical time. What grabs me although is his eagerness to introduce each final considered one of these highflying individuals to me. For his sake, I squelch my hide-instinct.

The most recent is a good-looking participant from one other workforce, who brings with him two knockout mannequin varieties. Ever smiling, Grey pulls me tight the second one of many girls, together with her pointy pink fingernails, wraps her hand round his bicep. There are stars in her eyes and an accompanying openness to something he may recommend.

A brand new group exhibits up, and ultimately, I’m wedged out, alone between an excellent tall man and the wall. One other salt-and-peppered man in enterprise apparel has engrossed Grey in a dialog of issues I do know nothing about. It’s okay. I would like a break. My system is sending warning indicators.

The toilet is mercifully empty. Issues aren’t as unhealthy as I count on, and the reprieve helps. I depart the flowery little room with hopes the remainder of the lengthy night shall be tremendous, too.

I crane my neck, looking. Various of us look to be herding themselves exterior to the adjoining stadium seating, together with the Smiths.

Grey’s stature peeks above the fray. Sure. I didn’t miss him earlier than his interview. His eyes skim. For me?

With a number of excuse mes, I make progress. Out of the blue, the trio blocking me peels off, opening my path. Grey is immediately not within the middle of a mob.

He’s alone with one individual, an implausibly lovely lady who’s bending his ear. Like, actually, her fingers curl round his arm and Grey’s head is bent, listening. His mouth is up on one finish in a sly grin. The lady’s hand lights on his chest the place mine rested simply minutes in the past. He chuckles and whispers in her ear. Her laughter makes it throughout the room.

I race for the lavatory. Spinning the lock, I relaxation my palms on the counter.

The sick feeling lingers.

I stare into my very own eyes. Plain eyes. All of the make-up on earth received’t make me appear like these girls. A change of garments and I’m nonetheless the identical me. Me from Depressing Springs, not some unique place with an unique life. I fooled myself for a minute. I can’t swim with this crowd. Each final one appears good, like the gorgeous, creatively adorned fish within the sea.

And a few are sharks. That’s merely how the world works.

I’m a guppy misplaced in a large ocean.

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