Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“That’s amazing,” I say, holding his gaze. I want to ask so badly how it feels not to have medaled when the rest of his family did, but there is no time.
“Ladies!” he hollers, and all at once, the chatter stops. They turn, and everyone’s eyes are on us.
Okay, I’m not trying to sound like Owen, but they’re all looking at me. I even see some whispering and grins. Great, they may even be putting me in short shorts and me in khakis together in their minds. I’m not going to lie, though; these women are freaking hot. All different sizes and ethnicities. One thing is for sure; they all look like they can whoop Quinn’s ass.
“Good afternoon. Hope everyone had a good day of classes,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “This is Evan Adler, and he is our new senior sports therapist. I like this guy. He isn’t a dumbass like the other ones we’ve had. He’s eager to learn and is helpful. The reason the gym is ready for you guys is because he helped me.”
I thought I was supposed to.
“Cool dude, be nice to him, and don’t be all catty and girlie with him. Treat him as a teammate. I know, I know. Listen, I’m not blind. He’s a good-looking dude, so don’t fucking sleep with him. Okay?”
I don’t even know what I choke on, but I start coughing as I look up at him, wide-eyed. He grins at me before hooking his thumb behind him.
“My weak ankle crew, go get taped up. This is the only time you are able to tell him how to do your ankles. Don’t make him redo it over and over again. One-and-done. Get tight! Get it right!”
The girls clap, repeating what he said.
I’m still standing there gawking at him.
That was one hell of a welcome.
eight
Callie
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Beside me, Cameron is holding in her laughter. Let me rephrase. She’s trying to. She is snorting, tears in her eyes, and she is unable to look at me. I called her as soon as I got up from eating the floor at the ACOB and told her what had happened. She found it very comical, but I don’t. I am mortified. Is this God’s way of punishing me for lusting after Evan? Or is this a prayer answered for Nico? Did he pray so hard that I wouldn’t meet anyone that now God has no choice but to ruin every chance I have with a hot guy?
The worst part? I am part of the weak ankle crew.
Maybe he won’t remember me.
Oh, who am I kidding? This is gonna be awesome.
“Cal, you’re beet red.”
“Thanks,” I say sarcastically without looking at Cameron. She’s still snickering. Neither of us is listening to everyone whisper and giggle over the fact that Evan is now our sports trainer. If they thought he was hot in the picture I sent of him and his brother, that has nothing on him as he stands before us.
Beside me, Shantae calls out, “Nice pants, Adler.”
Then someone says, “I liked the shorts better.”
More laughter, and even though Evan doesn’t seem to be paying attention, the side of his mouth ticks up a bit, making me think he may actually be listening to us rather than Coach.
“Do you really think we can’t sleep with him?” Shantae asks. “Like, I feel that’s unfair.”
“Callie called him,” Misty Maves, a senior, says. “Respect your teammate.”
Shantae gives her a look. “Shut it, Mist. She took her shot and lost.”
“Whoa! I did not!” I yell.
“Cameron said you did.”
I whip my head to Cameron, and she holds up her hands. “I did not say that. I said he called you weird!”
“He didn’t call me weird! He said, ‘Stay weird.’ Two different things. He could find my weirdness endearing. No one knows, ’cause I haven’t taken my shot.”
“Or he thinks you’re a weirdo and would rather hook up with me,” Shantae suggests, and I give her a dry look.
“No.”
“Fine. Then take your shot, Callie.”
Everyone looks at me, and I look back at Evan. He starts for the training room as most of the weak ankle crew follows him. Giggling. Everyone is giggling. Ugh, it’s annoying. No one is more annoying than Shantae, though. “I can’t right now. Jason just said we couldn’t sleep with him. I have to let it die down a bit.”
“Let what die down?”
“The newness. Everyone is going to be hitting on him.”
“Exactly. So, let him pick,” she says, and then she walks past me toward Evan’s office.
I look at Cameron and glare. “Thanks.”
She cringes. “I didn’t expect that. I’m sorry,” she calls to my retreating back, but I ignore her. I head past everyone who is still stretching for our first event. I usually miss the first part of warm-up because of my ankles. I’ve been taping them since I was fourteen. They’re a pain in my ass. I get in line and lean against the window as I watch Evan start to tape. I’m surprised to find he is taking notes after each ankle he does. He is very direct and asks a lot of questions. Above all, he’s beautiful. His Bellevue shirt hugs his biceps while the band of his khakis hugs his waist. Even in the pants, you can tell you he has thick legs and an even tighter ass. His hair is brushed to the side in a messy way, like he has done it continually with his fingers. He has a bit of hair growing on his jaw, and his eyes are just so lovely. Each of my teammates tells him how they like their ankles done, and they all flirt ruthlessly.