End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series Read online

  “Yes,” I say simply, and she rolls her eyes.

  “No, really. She isn’t into you.”

  Why does she keep saying it like it’s no big deal? I narrow my eyes because this just doesn’t seem right to me. First time in forever I’m into a girl, and she isn’t into me? That can’t be right, nor is it fair.

  Life isn’t fair, buddy. It’ll knock you on your ass faster than a two-hundred-pound defensemen will.

  Thanks, Dad.

  But even with my dad’s words of wisdom, I feel my sister should have my back a bit more. Setting her with a stern look, I say, “And you told her I’m an awesome dude. Very charming. Funny. You know I’m funny!” She shrugs a bit, not seeming convinced as I glare. “You can tell her I’m great in bed. You wouldn’t be lying.”

  She glares at me then. “I just swallowed back puke. Thanks.” She shakes her head as she pats her body as if she is looking for something. “Where is my phone? I need to tell Shelli you just said that.”

  I roll my eyes. “Stop, seriously. Did you talk me up?”

  She shakes her head. “No.”

  “What the hell? Why not?” I ask, completely confused. “You’re supposed to be my sister.”

  “Which is why I told you what was up. You’re lucky I did that.”

  “How in the hell am I lucky if you aren’t pushing for me?” I ask, and she shrugs.

  “It’s not my job to hook you up, Ry. You’re a grown man.”

  I don’t think I can kill my sister. That would upset my mom.

  “But the real question is, will you still introduce me to Moon since I tried?”

  Is she on something? “Oh yeah, sure, no problem,” I say, and when her eyes light up, I glare. “As soon as I get a chance…which will be never!” I yell, and she purses her lips at me, annoyed. But guess what? I’m annoyed for both of us. I’m not saying I need my sister to hook me up. I don’t. But it would be nice if she talked me up a bit. Usually, her friends just want me, and then I have to make excuse after excuse why I can’t see them after I sleep with them. I’m not trying to sound cocky, but what the hell?

  “Well, you’re an asshole.”

  “Right back at you,” I snap.

  “Whatever. Why are you still here?”

  “Fuck, I don’t know,” I say, but when I turn to go, she tries to grab the food I’m holding. “No food for you.”

  “What the hell? You the food nazi now?”

  “I am when you can’t talk up your own brother. I would do it for you.”

  “You would not!”

  “I would if I wanted to.”

  “Well, maybe I don’t want to.”

  “Ha, I knew it! You should want to. I do everything for you.”

  “Get over yourself, Ryan.” She rolls her eyes and walks over to Sofia.

  Man, I really had every intention of walking into this place, lunch in hand, introducing myself, telling Sofia how amazing I thought she was yesterday, and having her falling all over herself to get with me. Along with my charm, I brought a bacon cheeseburger, which is crack to gymnasts. They’re hungry all the time.

  I thought I had this in the bag. Damn it.

  I turn, ready to go, but I’m truly stunned in place. I don’t know if it’s my pride or what, but I’m having a hard time accepting this. I know when a girl is feeling me. Man, I feel like I need to throw on my gear and go slam someone into the boards. Beat my chest. Go make a booty call on some other chick. But that doesn’t seem right either.

  I want her.

  Sofia.

  Shit.

  Right before I can move, Sofia glances at me as she walks by. Her dark gaze meets mine, and my heart stops. I’m close enough that I can see her dark eyes have a small green tint to them. I thought they were deep brown, but they’re more a dark hazel. Her lashes are so thick, dark, but it’s the sweet freckles covering her nose and cheeks that have me wanting to embarrass myself completely.

  Because now, I definitely feel the sparks.

  I see them.

  I hear them.

  Or maybe that’s my heart.

  And looking at her, I know she sees, hears, and feels them too. Breathless, I hold my gaze on her as she draws in a deep breath, her breasts rising with the motion. I doubt she wants me to see it, but her lips quirk in the smallest, sexiest way before she looks back to my sister.

  One thing is for sure.

  She wants me.

  She’s just fighting it.

  I’m still in this. I chuckle to myself as I start to walk backward. I’m onto her, and that’s fine.

  Game on.

  Chapter Ten

  Sofia

  It has been twenty-one hours since I tried not to watch Ryan leave the gym.

  Twenty-one hours of trying my hardest not to think of everything about him.

  His amazing shoulders.

  His lean waist.

  His long legs.

  Those lips…

  And those eyes… Crap.

  Even those damn glasses that make me want to knock them off his face in the middle of rough kisses.

  Also, twenty-one hours of ignoring the fact that I want to hug him, nuzzle my nose in the middle of that thick chest of his, and feel his hands on me.

  Basically, I’ve spent the last twenty-one hours torturing myself with my feelings, and now I’m running. Running out my frustration for wanting some guy who would probably ruin everything for me, and running to kill off the nerves about my mom. One would say I’m a hot mess, and I wouldn’t disagree with them. I feel a mess.

  The only good thing from yesterday was that Amelia got us the job. Her mom was more than happy to help me out and insisted, like Amelia said she would, my mom stay with her. She even offered to buy the plane ticket for me in advance, but I refused very quickly. I don’t want to owe anyone anything. It’s killing me knowing someone is basically paying my way and giving me everything I need because I’m good at gymnastics.

  But then, isn’t that what I worked for?

  No. Actually, it’s not. I worked for the Olympics, but that dream went up in smoke very quickly.

  But now is not the time to dwell on that.

  Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I continue my run around campus. The Bellevue campus is amazing. The design of it was one of the many things that appealed to me. It’s like a compound with everything you need: housing, food, a store, and then, the halls of education. But around the perimeter, through some woods, is an awesome running track. Usually, it’s meant for the track team, but I was told four a.m. was a good time to run since no one was out here.

  And I love it.

  I don’t love running, and I don’t trust people who do like running. Sadistic people, in my opinion. But since I have to run, I love this track. It’s way better than the one in Nevada for sure, very flat and good for my knee. In Nevada, I stayed on the treadmill for the simple fact that everything was bumpy and dusty. My knee couldn’t handle the terrain, but here, I’m doing well. Been running this track for three months now, and I enjoy it.

  As much as someone who hates running can enjoy it.

  I wish I could get Amelia out of bed to run with me, but I’m pretty sure that girl does two things—no, wait, three things. Sleep, obsess over boys, and gymnastics. How she is carrying a 4.0 is beyond me. She doesn’t study or even stress about papers or anything. She is just insanely smart, and it frustrates me. I have to work for my grades, unlike gymnastics. In a way, we’re like yin and yang, which is funny I guess, since we are so different but the same. Man, do I love her dearly.

  And then there is her undeniably hot brother, whom I blew off.

  I should be proud of that, apparently. From what Amelia says, no one turns down her brother, and I can see why. He is stunning and charismatic. That quick grin, those eyes, and then his big ol’ hands… Yeah, I need to stay very clear of Ryan Justice. Very, very clear. But I’m unsure how to do that. He and Amelia seem very close, even though yesterday I thought they were two second