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I reached to start the engine but stopped myself. They’d already seen me. Firing up the engine and driving off really would make me look like a stalker. I’d just have to be more thoughtful about this shit from now on.
Even as I told myself that, part of me fought against it. The idea I couldn’t put eyes and hands on him whenever I wanted ignited a battle within me against my head and my heart.
My heart would just have to be disgruntled. At least for a while anyway because not pressuring Matthew into anything was top priority. My heart now came second to his.
Knock, knock, knock.
My chin shot up at the sound of someone rapping against the body of my wagon. Elite stood just beyond my hood, staring.
I popped the door and got out, walking around to meet them. “What’s up?” I said.
“He’s swimming extra laps,” Ryan told me.
“You the reason he was late?” Jamie chimed in.
“You the one who put that hickey on his neck?” Win continued the line of questioning.
Inwardly, I winced. I was gonna have to be more careful of that too. Even as I scolded myself, I smirked at Win, completely proud of myself for staking that kind of claim.
“I think what they’re trying to say,” Lars started, “is that Prism will be out in a few minutes, so you can just wait for him here.”
“Thanks,” I told him.
“He expecting you?” Ryan asked, scrutinizing me.
“Probably won’t be a surprise,” I replied.
“After this morning, I guess not,” Jamie muttered.
My brows dipped. “What?”
“Nothing, bro.” He tried to brush me off.
Not. Happening.
I took a step forward, eyes glittering. “What happened this morning? Is Matthew okay?”
He pursed his lips, and I looked at Wes who had said nothing until this point, hoping he’d realize now was a good fucking time to speak. He didn’t get the memo and remained close-lipped, but his eyes never left me.
I swung back to Jamie, but Lars spoke up.
“He’s fine,” he said sincerely. “He’ll be out in just a few minutes.”
I released a breath, relaxing a little. “Okay, thanks.”
“Ryan.” The dark-haired swimmer introduced himself, thrusting his hand toward me. “Nice to meet you.”
“I know who you are,” I told him as I shook his hand. “I know who all of you are.”
“Perks of being Elite,” Jamie quipped.
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s because you’re important to him.”
Probably shouldn’t have said that either. But let’s be honest here. These bros were standing here assessing me like I’d come a calling to defile their little brother. According to the hickey on his neck, I already did. Point was these guys were not stupid. We all knew what was up.
“Team breakfast,” Ryan told me. “We have one every morning after practice. You should come.”
“It’s tradition,” Lars added, his Swedish accent bleeding through. This was the most I’d ever heard him talk. He was the quiet one of the bunch.
