End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series Read online

  God, what I wouldn’t give for confidence like that.

  She’s exquisite.

  “What are you staring at like that?”

  I jump at the sound of Shea’s voice. Looking at him with wide eyes, I shake my head. “Nothing. My neck hurts.”

  When I rub it, he gives me a look. “You’re breathing so hard your glasses are fogging up, you dork.”

  I glare as he chuckles and heads to where Elli and the kids are waiting. Shelli and Amelia are still hugging, acting as if this is the last time they’ll see each other.

  “She’ll be back next week!”

  “I’ll miss her,” Amelia says, kissing her cheek. “Do big things.”

  “Done, and you too. Next time, I want an all-around!”

  Amelia nods. “Done. I love you.”

  “I love you.” Shelli then looks to me. “I guess you’re okay.”

  I roll my eyes. “Love you too, jerk.”

  She flashes me a bright grin before kissing Mom and then catching up with her family. I watch as they leave, that is, until my mom asks, “Wanna go to lunch?”

  “Sure! Can Sofia come?” Amelia asks.

  I’m basically bouncing on my heels like a five-year-old while I wait for the answer. Say yes, Mom!

  “Of course. If she can. She looks mighty busy.”

  We all glance into the gym to find Sofia still talking to those guys in suits.

  Amelia bites her lip. “Let me go see. One second.”

  She takes off, and Mom takes my hand in hers. I look over, smiling. “You have fun today?”

  “I did.” She exhales loudly. “Though, I miss your dad something fierce. He would have been head over heels watching her today. She was magnificent.”

  “She was.”

  “Can you believe it’s gonna be three years?”

  Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I slowly shake my head. “No, it feels like it just happened.”

  Before Mom can comment, Amelia is running back to us. “She has to stay. The school and local papers are going to do a whole interview and then take pictures. Sofia says thank you, though, and hopes to get a rain check.”

  “Of course.” Even with the pain filling my mom’s features, she beams as she waves back to Sofia. A beautiful grin is on Sofia’s face, so bright and wide. While I know it’s not for me, my heart still skips a beat at the sight of it. It’s breathtaking, and I want so desperately to be the recipient of it.

  Good Lord. I’m sprung on this girl.

  That’s not good.

  “She seems nice.”

  “She’s great,” Amelia answers as she and Mom lock their arms together. “I want hot chicken.”

  “Of course you do,” I tease, and she beams back at me. It annoys me that she hasn’t commented on my text or written me back. I know she’s seen it. She’s holding her phone, and she’s updated her Snapchat three times since the end of the meet. She’s ignoring me, and I want to trip her for it.

  I’ll refrain. I don’t want to upset my mom. Or hurt Amelia.

  She does have a career and all.

  Looking back into the gym, I watch Sofia for one more second as my mind goes wild. I’m half tempted to walk up to her and introduce myself, but I don’t want to come on too strong. Plus, having a little sister who can talk me up should be a plus for me.

  I am a great big brother.

  “Come on, Ry!”

  Tearing my gaze from Sofia, I smile. If Amelia comes tonight, I know she’ll bring Sofia, which is exactly what I want.

  I want to taste Sofia’s lips.

  But I’ll be patient, even if I’m the most impatient person in the world.

  Running to catch up with Mom and Amelia, I hurry ahead to open my mom’s door for her.

  “Such a gentleman.”

  “I have great parents,” I say as she gets in, sending me a tight-lipped smile.

  I know she’s missing my dad like crazy, and it’s hard. I get it. For the first time in a while, though, I’m thinking about something other than the pain that is rattling my mom’s heart. While I feel a tad guilty, I need an answer about Sofia.

  Shutting the door, I hold my hand over the handle for the back.

  Amelia’s brows pull together as she looks up at me. “Yes?”

  “I know you got my text.”

  Her eyes don’t leave mine. “Maybe.”

  “Are you going to answer?”

  She narrows her eyes a bit. “I told you, she’s out of your league.”

  I scoff. “Are you calling me ugly?”

  “Not at all. I’m saying she’s gorgeous.”

  “So am I. Introduce us. I’ll take it from there.”

  She doesn’t say anything at first. “She’s a little standoffish, Ryan. I’ve seen dude after dude try to talk to her, and she just won’t have it. I don’t think she’s looking for anything.”

  That doesn’t worry me at all. “Just an introduction. I promise, I don’t need anything else.”

  She looks away, shaking her head. “I can come to the Bullies’ parties?”

  “All of them.”

  “Even Bikini Night?”

  I close my eyes, biting my lip. I do not want my sister parading around the house in a bikini, though I do want Sofia doing just that. But I’m a brother before a horny horndog, and if things go well, I can have Sofia in my room in a bikini. I don’t like that party anyway. Something always goes shitty, and then I’m cleaning up someone else’s mess. Last year, there was a sexual assault claim that almost got the house shut down. The guy wasn’t from Bellevue, so we’ve had to step up security. “No way.”

  “Then no deal.”

  She tries to move around me, but I stop her. “It’s a shitastic party. I hate it, and I refuse to have my baby sister there. Or even the girl I’m attracted to. So, no.”

  “How sweet,” she says dryly. “But no.”

  “Amelia,” I stress, and she looks up at me, bored.

  “What?”

  “I’ll introduce you to Moon.”

  Her eyes light up. “Really?”

  I can introduce her to my roommate with no problems, and he’ll be nice, but then he’ll stay clear of her. Forever. Or I’ll kill him. Amelia doesn’t need to know that, though. So with a nod, I say, “Yes.”

  “Great! I’ll bring her to the party tonight!”

  Oh, thank God. “Awesome.”

  Now it’s time to put on the charm.

  Chapter Seven

  Sofia

  “They gave me a ten on floor, but I don’t think I deserved it.”

  My mom’s soft chuckle fills the line, bringing a grin to my face. “Ah, if they gave it to you, it’s right.”

  My heart flutters at the excitement in my mom’s voice. I am giddy, I am, but if anything, I’m nervous. My scores today were awesome. I mean, they’ll probably be the scores to beat for those who come after me. But it means I have to beat them. I have to do the best, be the best, and to do that, I have to stay focused. I can’t get carried away with all the hoopla around me.

  And what hoopla it is.

  Everyone has made such a huge deal about me. From the local newspapers to the Dean to the students, everyone knows my name now. It freaks me out. What if I have an off day at the next meet? What if I suck? I’ll not only be letting down my team, but the university.

  Crap!

  “You looked beautiful in all the pictures, bella.”

  My smile grows as I cross my ankles, touching my toes. “Thanks, Mama. Amelia did my makeup.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her. I think Tia and I are going to try to drive to the meet in Missouri.”

  I shake my head. “Ma, that’s too far.”

  “Won’t be too bad. Tia has a good car that will get us there.”

  “No, maybe I can fly you in. I’ll ask.”

  “No, don’t ask for more. They do enough for us.”

  I press my lips together. They, the sponsorship, really do a lot for me, us, but I don’t want