Settling the Score (The Summer Games #1)(38)
His medium-length hair was brushed back in one of those GQ cover styles. He’d just shaved and I visually inhaled the sight of his strong jaw, committing it to memory as best as possible before his gaze landed on me in the crowd.
Fuck. He’d caught me staring at him.
My breath caught in my throat and though I wanted to, I couldn’t look away.
“Andie?” Kinsley asked.
Someone walked in front of me, cutting us off for a moment, but when they moved, he was still there, watching me from across the room. There was no smile playing on his lips, no hint of friendship, just those caramel brown eyes assessing me coolly. I hated his beauty. I hated the way his attention made my heart race and my palms sweat. I could tell myself to look away, but deep down, I knew that until he was done with me, I’d never be done with him.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Freddie
“YOU LOOKED LIKE a knob in that outfit last night.”
I groaned. “Georgie, it’s too early in the morning for your sarcasm.”
“I’m telling the truth. Who designed those things anyway? Why can’t they just put you in a pair of normal trousers?”
“Did you and Mum watch the whole thing?”
“She did. I got bored after a few minutes. I did stick around long enough to see this Andie of yours carry the flag for the Yanks though.”
“And?”
“And she is quite pretty.”
I wiped the sleep from my eyes.
“How’s that progressing by the way?”
“Terribly.”
“That’s because you looked like a knob. No American girl wants a man who wears sweaters. You’ve probably gone and scared her off.”
“Is this why you’ve phoned me, Georgie? To torment me?”
She sighed. “No. I overheard your conversation with Mum earlier.”
I waited for her to continue.
“Are you seriously considering scuttling the betrothal?”
“More than serious. I’ve made my mind up. I don’t want to marry Caroline.”
“Because you’re gaga over this American footballer?”
Yes.
“No, it’s because I’ve never wanted to marry Caroline, and I shouldn’t go through with a marriage only to fulfill some antiquated notion of familial responsibility.”
“Won’t Caroline’s family be cross?”
“I don’t really care. If Henry’s death taught me anything, it’s that life is too short to worry about upsetting people—especially when you’re doing what’s right.”
“Well, Mum explained to me why it’s important for you to marry Caroline, how good it’ll be for the family, but I agree with you. Caroline is such a bore, Freddie. I’d go mad if I had her as a sister-in-law for the rest of my life.”
I smiled. “So you’re on my side?”
“’Course. Well, except about the sweater. You really ought to burn that thing.”
“I think Andie liked it. She stared at me when she first saw me in the lobby downstairs.”
She laughed. “Yes, Fred. She was probably concerned that you’d lost your mind wearing a thing like that.”
A fist pounded against my door before I could reply.
“Freddie open up,” Thom shouted. “I’ve prepared a lovely breakfast for you, including all the crispy bacon, so stop being a mope and get out here.”
I shoved off the bed and opened the door for Thom.
“I’m talking to Georgie, not moping.”
“He’s moping!” Georgie yelled through the phone loud enough for Thom to hear.
“’Ello Georgie,” Thom said, trying to take the phone from my hand. “Goodbye Georgie.”
“Not yet, mate.” I stepped back out of his reach. “She’s advising me.”
“When’s she coming to Rio?” he asked, ignoring me.
“Next week!” Georgia yelled back.
I worked the door out of his hand and tried to shut it.
“And she’s not hanging out with you,” I said just before shutting the door in his face.
“Fine, I’ll leave, but I’m eating ALL THE CRISPY BACON.”
“You really ought to be nicer to him,” Georgie said once I’d shut the door and turned back to find a clean pair of workout shorts. “He’s the only one who can stand you during competition, and it wouldn’t do you any favors if you scared him off.”
“I have loads of friends.”
“Your eighteen-year-old sis doesn’t count.”
I laughed and checked the time on my watch where it sat on the bedside table. I had twenty minutes before practice, which meant I needed to get a move on.
“Don’t discredit yourself, Georgie. You’re just as good as any of my mates. Nearly as hairy, too.”
“Ha ha, very funny, Fred. I’ll have you know I’ve morphed into quite a beauty since you’ve gone. Can’t walk down the street with all the drivers crashing from craning their necks.”
I laughed.
“Now piss off and DON’T mention the whole betrothal thing to Mum again. She’s going mad over here. Wait ’til I’ve arrived in Rio and we’ll get it sorted.”