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CHAPTER SEVEN
NICK
Chloe sprinted aroundthe court chasing ball after ball Felix hit in a wide spread, making her move. Her ankle was completely healed, though I knew she was tender from last night’s love making session.
I took a risk shortly after that night in the forest, though I hadn’t told her yet. Living in a frat house remained a touchy spot for both of us. Barclay distanced himself from everyone, forming a friendship with Dex Breaker, of all people. But back on ground level with Chloe, there were too many people around on a daily basis. Fangirls who wouldn't leave her alone, and enough male attention that I was constantly on the alert, not that she noticed a single thing. I’d been a Kingsman for two years but maybe my time there was up now.
Her new manager, a middle-aged woman called Marjorie who could barely hold a tennis racket the right way up, watched from the top of the umpire’s chair. What she couldn’t do on a court she made up for in terms of marketing and branding for Chloe with all the right connections and finally let Chloe’s real personality shine through. She waved at me from the height of the chair, taking aerial shots with her phone while directing a video drone with her other hand and conducting a phone call at the same time.
The woman could multitask like nothing else, and she lifted Chloe's confidence within the first two weeks of joining her team.
Chloe adored her, and therefore, so did I.
It wasn't the only change that happened. It turned out engineering had nothing to do with Chloe Duke. She did, however, want to change to architecture and a quick visit to the dean’s office and a few words from her coach about the current financial situation made all the difference.
So did the new tennis court plastered with her name all over the side of it. The dean was grateful to the extra cash flow, despite the college coffers overflowing.
God knew where that money was going, considering the personal tithe we all paid. The dean was the most epic hoarder in all of history.
"Come on, Chloe," Felix called, a genuine smile on his face. "You've got this."
Chloe sprinted forward from the baseline, her body lifted into the air, and smashed the volley an inch past Felix's shoulder before he could bring his racket back.
"Fuck, yeah," called one of the Rippton boys who’d come to watch the open session.
Chloe waved at them.
Her attitude changed without the excess pressure her sister–who left Rippton and hadn’t returned yet–put on her shoulders. Without it, Chloe managed her anxiety a whole lot better, and managed to talk to fans like a regular person. A small step for some but for her it was huge. I couldn’t have been more proud.
Felix ran to the net for a high-five. "That’s championship material, girl. Don't you ever doubt."
Chloe sent me the sort of smile that left me glowing on the inside as she trotted toward me and kissed me with her arms around my neck, audience be damned. I deepened the kiss and she gave me an appreciative sound before breaking breathlessly away.
I hope she’d be as amenable for this next part, too.
"You should stop,” she said softly, but didn’t glance over her shoulder.
I held out two fresh bottles of water. "Not likely to stop any time soon."
“Of course not.” She rose onto her toes and pressed her lips against mine with a sigh.
More cheers went up from her fanclub.
"I mean, if you don’t want me, you can always go for those guys.” I eyed the bleachers and picked out faces to memorize.
Chloe peeked over her shoulder at the fanclub, and waved again. "You love them."
