Page 41 of In Too Deep

It’s bullshit.

But the Hughes are way more family to me now than my blood family, anyway.

Trinny and Harry are in the seats in front of Caro and me. Caro’s brothers Logan and Joshua sit to our left. Ryan sits in front next to a businessman. It’s so good to be all together.

“This is so exciting. I love planes,” Caro chirps beside me.

I face her and sigh. “I hate them. I always get a little anxious.”

“Is that why you’re quiet?” she asks. “Or because in a few hours, you’ll be seeing… you-know-who?”

Tensing up and rolling my neck, I exhale. “Probably both.”

Caro’s eyes suddenly dart past me, and she pulls her bottom lip in with her teeth. I furrow my brows at her reaction, so I turn to see East and Coby walking down the aisle of the plane.

Coby hasn’t changed at all. His hair’s still slightly floppy on top, his broad shoulders showing off his perfectly sculptured body. A shiver runs down my spine and I break out into goose bumps as our eyes meet. A surge flows through me, igniting a fire inside my core and forming an ache that’s a direct result of his proximity. Coby smiles but continues to walk down the plane and away from me. A hot wave washes over me. I take a deep breath as Caro giggles, bumping into my shoulder.

“He still wants you.”

“No, he doesn’t!”

“Yes, he does!”

I huff. “This conversation is pointless.”

“You’re going to have to talk to him sooner or later. The swimming goes for eight days. The closing ceremony is eight days after that. So that’s a total of sixteen days being around…Coby.”

“I can be around him. Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I murmur.

“You’re going to like it. I’m sure you’re going to love it.”

“Cabin crew, prepare for takeoff,” the pilot booms over the speakers, and I death-grip the handrest.

“This is going to be one long flight.”

Caro tilts her head. “It’s like an hour and a half…”

“You know what I mean!”

CHAPTER TEN

As soon as the plane lands, I bolt, eager to slip away before Coby and East catch up. Luckily, Caro and the Hughes manage to keep pace.

Caro and I are taken to the Olympic Village while the Hughes head to their hotel. Now, we’re getting the grand tour.

The Village is a series of blocks, with two athletes assigned per unit. I can’t imagine staying here alone—I’d drive myself crazy with just my thoughts for company.

We’re guided to the swimmers’ section, divided by sport and then by gender. Relief floods me when we find out Caro and I are sharing a unit—I’m sure Tuck had a hand in arranging that.

Our unit is cozy—a small lounge, two bedrooms, and a cramped bathroom. Caro and I step inside, buzzing with excitement. It’s a scaled-down version of our place back home. I drop my luggage in my room and quickly unpack because there’s not much time before we head to the meeting in the Athletes’ Services Area.

The services area doubles as a hub where we can watch events and connect with family since they’re not allowed inside the Village itself. It’s comforting to know we’ll have a space to spend time with them amidst all the chaos.

“You ready to head down?” Caro comes rushing into the room and asks.

Chuckling, I tilt my head slightly. “Sure, let’s go.”

Turning, I grab my phone and head out with her to walk down to the services area. It’s not far, but my nerves are wreaking havoc inside me. Coby will be at this meeting, but I have to get used to him. Hell, I’ll probably be in the marshalling area with him at the pool, so I need to pick up my big girl panties and stop hoping things will get better.

---