Chapter no 41 – RYDER

The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries Book 1)

One hundred percent

Well.

I sure wasn’t expecting that.

Gigi has spent months hiding me from the world and now she’s asking me to dance in front of all our teammates?

I’m stunned speechless for a moment. Then I shrug and say, “Sure?”

I keep my expression shuttered and my response vague, because I don’t know how I’m supposed to react. If I’m supposed to treat it like a friend asking another friend to dance. Or a peer asking a peer.

Or my girlfriend asking her boyfriend. Case’s eyes narrow as Gigi takes my hand.

She tugs on it, and I follow her instinctively. I’m so crazy gone for this woman that not following her isn’t even an option.

When we reach the dance floor, I dip my head close to her ear. “I don’t dance, baby.”

“You’ll be fine.” She places one hand on my shoulder and clasps the other in mine.

She peers up at me with the most beautiful smile, and I’m dumbstruck again because she’s so gorgeous I don’t even know how to function in the face of that smile.

“Put your hand on my waist,” she says, so I do.

She moves closer, the top of her head tucked beneath my chin. The flowery scent of her shampoo drifts into my nose. I breathe her in and get high.

“What is this?” I ask, trying to concentrate on pressing matters rather than how good she smells and feels in my arms.

“Just dancing with my boyfriend,” she answers.

I don’t even want to look in the direction of our friends. I can feel their stares on us. I imagine that particularly prickly sensation tightening my skin is courtesy of Colson.

“Is this some sort of power play?” “No.”

We move to the slow tempo set by the orchestra. I recognize the song as a classic rock ballad.

Gigi tips her head back to look at me. “This was my parents’ wedding song.”

That startles me. “Really?”

“Yeah. It’s the first song they ever danced to.” She moistens her lips, blushing before averting her eyes. “I heard it just now and…I don’t know. I knew I wanted to dance to it with you.”

That does something to my heart. I don’t know what. I don’t understand half of the emotions she elicits in me. Whatever this one is, it just feels right.

We continue to sway, doing a little turn, during which I catch a glimpse of Colson’s blond hair and suspicious eyes.

“Case is going to have questions,” I warn.

“I don’t care. I came to the realization tonight that I can’t live my life worrying about his feelings.”

She’s right.

But she’s also very wrong, because he’s my cocaptain and I am worried about his feelings. We’ve only recently become friends. And I’m already grieving the loss of that friendship as Gigi and I turn again and my gaze locks with his. I can feel the surrender that pervades my face. The defeat. Because I can’t hide how I feel about this woman anymore. And he knows it.

His blue eyes darken. Suddenly, he’s breaking off from the group. Stalking toward the dance floor. I expect him to confront us, but all he does

when he gets within earshot is hiss, “Fuck this,” and then brush past us and march out of the ballroom.

The song changes to something more up-tempo, as if the violins and cellos also feel the urgency of the situation.

“Shit. I gotta go talk to him,” I tell Gigi. She bites her lip. “I know.”

“He’s my teammate.”

“I said I know.” She drops her hand from my shoulder and pulls me away from the floor. “Let’s go.”

We catch up to him at the valet stand, where Case spins at our approach and glares.

“Case—” Gigi starts.

“Fuck you both,” he interrupts. His face is red with fury. “Hey,” she says sharply. “Come on.”

“How long has this been going on?” He angrily gestures between us before his gaze fixes on me. Accusation burns there. “How long were you pretending to be my buddy while you were going after my ex?”

“That’s not how it happened,” I say quietly. “When did it start?” he demands.

I glance at Gigi. I don’t know how she plans to play this. If she’s going to lie or not. I’ll back her up either way.

But she’s honest. “September,” she tells him. “After my exhibition.” Case recoils. “That long?”

She nods.

And I’m momentarily floored myself because I can’t believe it’s been three months. It simultaneously feels like I just met her yesterday and like I’ve known her forever.

Case looks like he wants to hit me. I know it because he plasters his arms to his body, fists clenched to his sides. He’s doing everything he can to control the violence simmering beneath the surface.

“You fucking asshole,” he spits out. “You warned me you were a dick. I should’ve believed you.”

I swallow a sigh. “I barely knew you three months ago, man. We weren’t friends.”

“Yeah, until we were.”

“It’s my fault,” Gigi intervenes. “I told Ryder not to say anything, okay?”

His incredulous gaze shifts to her. “I can’t believe this. He’s my teammate, Gigi.”

Regret floats through her gray eyes. “I didn’t plan this. It just happened.” “You could’ve stopped it once it did. Taken a step back.”

“Why would I take a step back? You and I aren’t together anymore.” She sounds frustrated. “I made that more than clear every time we talked. I didn’t lead you on.”

“I know that, but did you even consider showing me a modicum of respect by not banging my teammate?”

“Respect? Are you kidding me right now?”

She lunges forward, and since I know how strong she is, I swiftly put my hand on her shoulder. Easy there, partner.

“You cheated on me and lied about it!”

The valet chooses that moment to approach with Case’s keys. He takes one look at the confrontation in progress and wisely steps away, trying to meld into the background.

“I didn’t lie. I came clean the day after it happened.”

“You told me you made out with her when she fucking gave you a blowjob.”

Oh, Colson. You stupid bastard. Case freezes. “That’s not…”

“Not what? Not true?” Gigi snaps. “Can you look me in the eye and tell me it’s not true?”

I see the wheels turning in Case’s head as he calculates what his play is here. Whether he should fess up and admit he lied (because, hell, of course he lied) or try to maintain his moral high ground. If he picks the former, he sinks right back down to all our levels, and he knows it.

In the end, he proves to be a smart man.

“I knew you would never forgive me if you thought it was anything other than a kiss,” he says in a hoarse voice.

“You had a better chance of forgiveness if you’d been completely honest.”

“Bullshit. You think kissing is cheating.”

“Kissing is cheating,” she argues. “And let’s not talk about respect right now. You disrespected me. All I did was try to spare your feelings by not flaunting my relationship with your teammate. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move on my part, but I’m not fucking perfect. Nobody is. Least of all you, with your secret blowjobs.”

“Who even told you?” Case mutters.

“Why? So you can go yell at them? Bullshit. Own this. You made the mistake. You lied to my face.”

“And you told me you still cared about me and wanted to be my friend,” he throws back.

“I did.”

“Really, this is you being my friend?” Sarcasm drips from his voice. He glares at me again. “Yeah, Ryder? You really wanted to be my friend?”

I don’t answer. But yes, I did want to be his friend. I like the guy and I feel bad. This is a shitty situation all around.

“Well, excuse me if I don’t bask in the glow of either of your friendship.” Noticing the cowering valet, he stalks toward him and grabs his keys.

Without another word, Case gets in his car and speeds off.

I stare at his disappearing bumper, then give Gigi a dry look. “So it was

a power play.”

“It wasn’t. I mean, yes, I just found out he lied to me. But I swear I asked you to dance because of the song.”

“Are we lying to each other now, Gisele? Because my favorite thing about us is the honesty.” I raise a brow. “Was it just the song?”

She sighs. “Ninety percent the song. Ten percent scorned woman.” I chuckle and reach for her hand. “Fuck. That was rough.”

“I know.” She gives me a glum look. “Should we get out of here?”

When I nod, she signals the valet.

“Let me pop inside and hit up coat check. Oh, and I need to make sure Whitney and Cami can get a ride with somebody else. Do you have a coat ticket?”

I hand it over.

She leaves me in the brisk December night, and I breathe in the cool air and wonder what the hell practice will be like on Monday. Probably not good.

But then Gigi returns, and I’m not sure I care whether Colson hates me or not. She’s a walking wet dream with her high heels and plunging neckline. I want that dress off her so bad.

“My place or yours?” I drawl.

She winks when she notices the look in my eyes. “Your place is closer.” “Good call.”

The next morning, I roll over to find a naked Gigi in my bed. Strong limbs spread out on my sheets. Long dark hair fanned over the pillow. Her hand and forearm are tucked beneath her silky cheek as she quietly breathes in slumber.

Not wanting to disturb her, I tiptoe out of my room to go take a leak and brush my teeth. I’m just stepping out of the bathroom when Beckett’s door swings open.

I’m startled to see Will Larsen walk out wearing nothing but boxers.

Eyebrows soaring, I gaze past his shoulder and glimpse a naked Beckett and an equally naked blond sprawled on Beck’s bed.

Will follows my gaze and speaks in a soft, sheepish voice. “It was…kind of a night.”

“Yeah, I see that,” I say dryly.

It’s none of my damned business, so I slip back into my bedroom, where Gigi is stirring.

I climb into bed and plant a kiss on her nose. She gives a sleepy laugh when I try to kiss her lips and squirms away from me.

“No kissing,” she protests. “You just brushed your teeth. I still have morning breath.”

“Fine. I’ll kiss you other places.” I bury my face in her neck and breathe in her sweet, feminine scent. It gets my blood going. Everything about her is so stupidly sexy. I want her all the time.

“What are your plans today?” she asks, pushing me onto my back so she can snuggle up beside me.

“I was planning on spending the whole day in bed with you.”

“Sounds like an excellent plan, but I have to drive into the city today.

Doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. Do you want to come?”

“Oh boy. You want me to come shopping with you? Will you dump me if I say no?”

She snickers. “No. But don’t you have to buy Christmas presents?” I think it over. “No.”

“Wait, do you celebrate Christmas?”

“I did growing up, and most of the foster homes I lived in did stuff for the holidays. But it depends on the year, I guess, and whether I have anywhere to go. Last year I was with Owen and his family in Phoenix.”

“What are you doing this year?” “Staying here.”

“Alone?” She’s aghast.

“Yeah. Shane asked me to go home with him, and Beckett’s fucking off to Australia for two weeks. Tried to get me to go too. But I’m not feeling either of those invitations.”

She hesitates for a moment. “What about this invitation—do you want to come home with me?”

“Home,” I echo.

“Yes.”

“With your parents.”

“Yep, that’s what home means.” “Will your father be there?”

“He lives there, so yes.”

“Your father, Garrett Graham.”

“Okay, you know what? I revoke the invitation.”

I sit up, thinking it over for a minute. “Do they even know we’re together?”

“No, but I’ll make sure to tell them before I bring you home. If you want to come, that is.” Gigi sits up too, running a hand through her sleep-mussed hair. “For what it’s worth, I think you should. You’ll have a full week to make him like you…” She trails off enticingly. “Plus, my mom is a great cook, and she and my brother can harmonize on every Christmas carol ever written, so it makes for some awesome singalongs. Oh, and I forgot the best part: the Boxing Day Beatdown.”

“What’s that?” I ask in amusement.

Rather than answer, she lifts her T-shirt by the hem and pulls it off. My mouth waters the moment her breasts are exposed.

“What’s happening right now?” I croak.

“Are you ready? I’m going to try something.”

“I like this already.” My gaze is glued to her beaded nipples. “You like this, right?” she prompts, cupping those perfect tits. My dick twitches. “Yes.”

“How hard are you, percent-wise?”

“Right now?” I reach down and cup my semihardening cock. “Forty percent?” I estimate.

“All right, are you ready for this? The Boxing Day Beatdown. TD Garden. Private ice time.” She pauses for dramatic effect. “Garrett Graham.” Another pause. “John Logan.”

I swallow.

She doesn’t miss the response, faintly smirking at me. “Hunter Davenport.”

My dick twitches again. “Jake Connelly.”

“Oh my God, stop,” I groan. “Are you saying you spend Boxing Day skating with all those guys?”

“Oh yeah. It’s a tradition. All the kids play too. We pick captains. It gets intense.” She gazes south. “What’s the percentage now?”

I squeeze my cock. Appraising it. “Eighty percent.”

She breaks out in gales of laughter. Then she shucks her tiny boxer shorts and bright-red panties and climbs on top of me, tits swaying.

“Wait. I left out the best part.” She beams down at me. “Gigi Graham.” “One hundred percent,” I growl, and then I lift her ass up and guide her

down onto my rock-hard dick.

DAD.

Your mo&er just told me what you’ve done.

Oh my god. You