Page 30 of Ripped

“Still, it’s a little fast.”

I tamp down the annoyance rising inside me. It’s the same thing Miles said and I hate that Beau somehow keeps bringing out the same reactions in me as that slimy bastard.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“You think he’s using our Donnie as a rebound?” Gavin asks.

I flinch. It’s the same worry I had when I first started feeling this attraction to Connor. If I’m honest, I’m still a little worried about it. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t actually know Connor at all—I met him barely a week ago. I’ve been going off my gut feelings with him, acting more out of instinct than reason.

Gavin and Beau are both watching me, waiting for a response I don’t have.

“Guys, it’s fine. Really.” I start stripping out of my cycling gear. “We enjoy each other’s company, that’s all. I’m not going to…” To what? Marry him? My stomach flips over on itself. “We’re just having fun. There’s nothing to worry about.”

I wrap a clean towel around my waist and give Beau a pointed look. He stares me down for a moment before moving out of my way.

“I appreciate your concern though,” I say, on my way to the showers. “Thank you.”

“Just be careful!” Gavin calls after me and I wave back at them in acknowledgment.

I don’t feel the need to be careful. Maybe it’s naïve of me, maybe it’s foolhardy, maybe I’m too infatuated to think straight, but I really don’t think Connor will hurt me.

I shower quickly and Beau and Gavin are nowhere in sight when I finish. I change and wave to Sawyer on my way out. He gives me a sly smile and an eyebrow wiggle. Word travels ridiculously fast around here. I roll my eyes and rush home.

Connor’s sitting at the dining table in the kitchen when I walk in. He’s wearing headphones and scowling at his computer. I sit down next to him and his face brightens like he’s been waiting for me to come home.

“Hey, how was your day?” he asks, pulling his headphones down around his neck.

“Good, all my classes were full.”

Connor looks amused. “Your classes are always full, Donnie, The Spin Instructor.”

I groan and shake my head. “Not you too.”

Connor giggles and the sound wraps around me like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

“How was your day?”

Connor sobers. “I emailed one of my old instructors from film school. You know, about the grant.” He slumps down into his chair and runs his finger along the edge of the table.

“And?”

“And he wasn’t very helpful.”

“What did he say?” I prod.

“That the grant is a great opportunity, but if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, there will be other grants in the future.” His bottom lip is nice and plump as he sticks it out, and all I want to do is take it between my lips and tug.

“Have you had a chance to talk to your boss?”

Connor shakes his head. “I have a feeling he’s going to tell me the same thing.”

It all comes back to whether he’s willing to work with Wyatt, and after our excursion to his old apartment, I’m firmly in the no camp. “I can see where your instructor is coming from.”

Connor glances at me skeptically and waits for me to continue.

“There will be other opportunities in the future. There always are. It’s not like there’s a deadline on these types of things.”

Connor’s pout turns into a scowl. “There kinda is.”

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