Page 3 of Hook Up

Greg shrugs, unaffected by the question, but it’s a topic I hate to consider. This is Greer’s last summer at home. She leaves for college this weekend. She wants to be a doctor, and I know she’s smart enough. She’s the smartest woman I know.

But her college is hours away, and she’ll only be home for holidays. That’s why this summer was so important. I got to spend time with her. At first, she barely spoke to me. A quick wave or smile was the extent of our friendship. But then Greg had to go to the dentist, and they left me alone with Greer.

I found her lounging in her usual poolside haunt, headphones in her ears as she rocked out to whatever obscure music she had discovered. Normally, I kept my distance, but that day I sat next to her, asking about the music and bands and why she loved them.

Before I knew it, we were sharing her headphones, so I could experience the sound firsthand.

After that, I tagged along with her to the record store, though I’m not sure what’s so exciting about the pieces of vinyl. I like music, but I prefer black on tires. But Greer? She adores the music of the sixties and seventies, even though it’s technically not cool by teenage standards. The best part about her is she doesn’t care what others define as cool; she follows her own path.

Slowly, over those couple of months, I morphed from being another pain in the butt kid to someone she talked to. Confided in, even. We spoke about college and how she was worried to leave home. She sensed something was wrong between her parents, and I couldn’t deny she was probably right.

I told her about my big dreams, and she made me pinky promise I wouldn’t give up on them. The only dream I didn’t mention? That one day she would be mine.

But our greatest moment? The night she played an Otis Redding tune and told me how she couldn’t wait to fall in love and dance to this exact song. I didn’t understand all the lyrics, but I knew one thing—I’d play that song for her one day.

Now, there’s only two days before the coolest, most beautiful woman in my world leaves, and I’m not going to be there to say goodbye. I have a race this weekend, and it’s one I can’t miss.

“I wish you could see me race, Gigi,” I mutter, my gaze glued to the floor.

She’s Greer to strangers, but her friends and family always call her Gigi. After that day by the pool, she told me I could call her that, too.

I was in.

“I’m sorry, Ryder. I know you’re going to win, though.”

“I know.”

Another chuckle flies from her lips as she ruffles my hair. “Your ego is certainly intact.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Never change, Ryder Gray.”

Greg huffs out a breath. He’s grown tired of my friendship with his sister. It takes time away from our plans to conquer the world of racing.

I’m not worried. I plan to do both.

“He has a crush on you, Gigi. I think it’s gross.”

Greg did not just say that in front of her. I focus my blue-eyed glare on my best friend—formerbest friend—as he spills the beans about my feelings for his sister. “Shut up, Greg, or I’ll tell everyone how you ate your own snot at the last race.”

Greer’s face contorts in disgust. “That’s nasty, Greg.” Planting her hands on her hips, she directs her attention to me. “Is that true, Ryder? Do you have a crush on me?”

Now my entire body is awash in embarrassment. Staring at the floor, I scuff my shoe at the edge of the tile. “Yes.”

She tips up my chin, making me meet those dark, luminous eyes. “That’s really sweet, and I thinkyou’rereally sweet, but I’m way too old for you.”

“One day you won’t be, though,” I argue. “One day we’ll all be grown-ups.”

A grin flashes across her face, lighting her up. “I suppose you’re right. But I bet when you’re a grownup, you won’t have a crush on me anymore. You’ll become a famous F1 racer and forget all about me.”

“Never.” I mean it, too. I’ll never forget Greer.

“Hmm, we’ll see.” She smiles, releasing a soft sigh. “How about this, then? Many years from now, when we’re both grownups, you come find me. Do we have a deal, Ryder?”

Greer extends her hand, and I waste no time sealing my future. “I’ll never forget you, Gigi. I will find you again.”

Chapter 1

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