Page 11 of Losing Forever
I don't know what I'm saying.
Noah parks, and I scramble out of the car. This close to the Intracoastal Waterway, the scent of the ocean fills the air. I take a deep breath. Clearwater might be run-down and in need of buildings, according to Grayson, but the salty breeze makes up for what the city lacks in appeal.
I follow Noah to the office. He unlocks the door and heads to the thermostat to crank down the air. Grayson strolls in behind us, assessing the front desk, the four reception chairs, the arrangement of fake flowers, the flat screen on the wall, and the hallway with three glass-enclosed offices.
“Not a lot of privacy,” he comments. “I’m afraid to ask about the bathrooms.”
“There are none.” Noah smacks his arm as he walks by, headed for our office. “Come on. I'll give you the tour.”
“I think I've seen it all.” Grayson winks at me.
I let him go first and linger at the front desk, so they can have a little time alone. The phones haven't been turned on because Caitlyn isn't here yet. She will be soon.
My stomach tightens with worry.Will Grayson flirt with her the way Noah does? What if he asks her out? What if they start dating? Why do I care?
I shake the irrational thoughts from my head and focus on my scarf again. At this rate, I'll be back to wearing it every day.
“You and Bray share an office?” Grayson asks Noah as they stroll back in my direction.
Grayson tucks his hands into the pockets of his pants. They’re casual, fitted, and light gray. His white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up shows off his strong forearms. The shirt isn't stiff like the kind men wear with suits, but it fits his body nicely. Noah’s pants are similar in style, paired with a polo shirt that has the company logo. Together, they exude power and confidence, Grayson more than Noah. They also look huge.
“Oh my God. He's here, too,” a female quietly squeals beside me. “They’re both so hot.”
I turn my head to find Caitlyn. How did I not hear her come in?
Her mouth hangs open, her gaze locked on Noah and Grayson. “I can't believe they work here. I can't believe I work for two famous college athletes.” She shakes her head and blinks at them as if starstruck. “My dad was heartbroken when Noah hurt his back. It crushed him. He thought for sure he'd be watching him play in the NFL.” She scurries to her desk, setting up and switching on the phones, all while rambling. “And now Grayson James is here, too. Be still my beating heart.”
Until now, I never realized Caitlyn has a slight Southern accent. I also never knew Grayson's last name. James? He sounds like a movie star. That can't be his real name.
Caitlyn puts a piece of mint gum into her mouth and offers me one.
“Uh. Thanks.” I take a stick to be polite.
“You don't want death-breath with these two around.”
Death-breath? Suddenly, I’m self-conscious. Is she speaking about me or just in general? To be safe, I chew the gum.
She leans around me and eyes Grayson's butt as he enters the office we saved for him, his hands moving as he talks to Noah. “Now that's a home-run ass if I ever saw one.”
I gape at her, my gum hanging from the corner of my mouth. “What?”
“It's what he's known for.”
“Home runs or his ass?”
“Both. You know, the more home runs you make, the harder the ass?” At my dumbfounded expression, she adds, “Because all you see is his ass as he rounds the bases. A home-run ass. Any of this making sense?”
I shake my head and suck my gum back into my mouth.
“Do you watch baseball?”
“No.”
“Football?”
“No.”
“I grew up with sports. My dad’s a huge fan.”
