Page 21 of Keep Me

We film for the next hour and it ends up being the funniest thing I’ve witnessed in a while. Cuddy lost, spitting his water out all over Noah after the third hit, which then made Noah spit his water on Cuddy. While we worked, most of the team ventured over to watch. They were all laughing as well, shouting that they wanted to be next.

I filmed a few more rounds, noticing that Ryker was never on the sidelines watching like everyone else was.

He kept to his workout, showing his dedication to his training regimen. I know he’s a top pick for the draft coming up this summer, and I can see why. He works harder than anyone in the room and has the skills to back it upon the field.

It’s why I decide to let him get away with not filming a video for me today.

Once we’re done filming, I start packing up my stuff when Travis, a freshman on the team, approaches me. “Hey, Camille,” he says, smiling at me.

I smile back at him. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Just wanted to invite you to a party tonight. Not sure if you heard of it. It’s at the football house.” His voice is kind, making me consider it. I’m not interested in Travis in the slightest, but it might be fun to get out.

“Yeah, maybe I will. Thanks for the invite,” I tell him, smiling at the idea of potentially seeing Theo tonight. I should message Jasmine and see if she’s free as well.

“See you there,” he boasts before strutting out of the weight room.

All the guys are gone now, so I pause to send a quick text to Jasmine.

I smile at my phone as I move to text her back, when I walk into a hard chest. I startle backward, my chest thumping from the unexpectedness because I thought I was alone.

“Camille,” Ryker says my name so softly, it makes my chest ache.

“Sorry.” I attempt to smile at him as I will my heart to calm down, but I’m too flustered.

“I should’ve said something. It’s my fault. Are you okay?” he asks, those blue eyes inquisitive.

“I’m good. Are you going to the party tonight?” I say, changing the subject. I walk out of the weight room and Ryker follows behind me.

“No.”

“Boring.” I stick my tongue out at him. “It’ll be fun. It’s at Theo’s house. Well, the football house. Tomato, tahmato.”

Ryker shakes his head, blowing out a breath in what seems like annoyance.

“Still not going.”

“I’ll have enough fun for both of us then.” I smirk. “See you around, Ryker the biker,” I call out as I walk toward the exit.

I don’t know why I even want to go tonight, but something in my gut is telling me to go. Maybe I’ll meet the love of my life tonight? Who knows. And that’s the beauty of it all, never knowing what’s around the corner waiting for you. My romantic heart hopes it’s Ryker, but the logical part of me knows it’s a useless thing to wish for.

Yet as I get ready, I hope he’s around that corner, waiting to surprise me.

Chapter Nine

Ryker

The baseball house is quiet for a Friday night, and that’s probably because all the guys are at the football house tonight for their party. Bored, I venture downstairs in search of some cookie dough Pop-Tarts, my guilty pleasure. I keep a stock of them hidden in the pantry, where no one can find them.

I tend to be protective over what’s mine.

I close the pantry, a box of Pop-Tarts in tow, and head to the living room, where Cuddy, Noah, and his girlfriend, Emily, are sitting on the couch playing Mario Kart.

“Hey, Ryker,” Em says, waving at me.

“Hey,” I reply as I sit on the couch, needing a distraction from my thoughts that keep circling back to a certain girl who’s at a party tonight.

“How come you’re not at the party?” Cuddy asks.

---