When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(68)

“She’s not the first person to try to take Graham away. Hell, Amanda tried, but what outsiders don’t know is nothing can break us.”

“Kennedy, he’s lucky to have someone as strong as you in his corner.”

“Sometimes all you have is being strong.” I nod and smile, my lips tight.

When I step into the kitchen, everyone’s chatter ceases, and they turn to face me. Griffin’s eyes travel beyond me to Sandy.

“Y’all can stop talking shit now. We’ve hashed it out. Quit being weird.” Sandy nudges my side as she passes.

“What time you guys heading out tomorrow?” Mark asks, his eyes never leaving Bea.

“Afternoon-ish,” I answer, sitting on Graham’s lap. “What’s the plans for today?”

Their eyes drift to us for some grand idea, but Graham is ready to disappoint.

“I have a shit ton of studying to do. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming, and I have huge tests coming up.”

“I do, too.” I twirl to face him, a huge smile on my face.

Graham trails his finger down my bare arm. “Did you bring your books?” I bite my lip and nod. “Want to go upstairs and study?” He kisses my neck, and goosebumps cover my skin.

Rico groans, slamming his hands down on the table. “How do you guys do that? You even make studying seem romantic. It’s fucking studying.”

“One day, a girl will make studying seem like a romantic gesture.” I stand, Graham’s hand in mine, and pull him to his feet. I bend down to whisper in Rick’s ear. “Plus, we quiz each other, and if we get the answer wrong, we have to remove an article of clothing.” Graham laughs and shrugs when Rick looks to him for confirmation.

“Can I study with you guys? I’m still struggling with my business ethics class.” Rick wiggles his eyebrows.

“Not a chance in hell.” Graham answers before I can.

Graham’s ass sways as he takes the stairs two at a time. By the time I mosey up to his room, he’s standing with his back to me. Completely naked. My jaw hits the floor, taking in his even more defined back muscles. Between training and games, he’s gotten his fair share of workouts. It shows. Oh god, it shows.

“What are you doing?” I giggle. “We’re supposed to be studying.” He turns, and I lift an eyebrow. “Is this a new thing? Studying in the buff?”

Fast, long strides bring him to me. Before I realize what he’s doing, he snatches me up and throws me on the bed. I fall into a fit of school girl giggles at his antics. He brushes the hair from my face.

“I figured … we could just get to the point.”

And we got to the point … twice.

*****

When we wake up, the usual dread is ever present. It’s the kind that aches in your bones when you have to say an unwanted goodbye. The idea of transferring to UConn has been running around in my head. The distance from NY to Connecticut is doable, but waking up next to him every morning would be wonderful. Even when he’s snoring.

“You sound like a freight train.” I shove on his shoulder.

“I’m exhausted. School and baseball are kicking my ass.” He snorts, wraps his arm around my neck, and pulls me in for a kiss.

“Do you know when the scout’s going to make it out?”

“Next month sometime.” He rubs between his eyebrows. “The season opener solidified his coming to see me. At least, Coach thinks so.”

“I still can’t believe I missed your first home game.” I grab my hair tie from the bedside table and put my hair into a messy bun.

“You’ll be there for plenty more first games.” Graham circles his finger through a loose strand near my ear.

“Like when you pitch for the first time in the major leagues.”

“Let’s not get out of hand, okay? I still have to impress the scouts, and I can’t even be drafted until next year.” Graham brushes off my comment.

“Quit acting as if it’s not going to happen.” I smack him, and he traps my hand against his chest. “Think positive.”

“I’m positive I’m going to miss you when you leave.” He kisses me on the cheek as I stand to get dressed.

“I do really miss you.” I slide on a pair of yoga pants and an oversized sweater. His eyes never leave me. “I’ve been thinking about that.”

“Thinking about what?” He plasters himself against me.

“The distance between us.” I shrug. “What if I transferred?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely not.” Graham jumps back like I bit him.

“Just hear me out.”

“No, I forbid it. You aren’t giving up your dream for me.”

“You gave up yours for me.”

“You’ve given up enough in the past, Ken. I won’t forgive you if you do something as stupid as transferring to UConn. What would you major in?”

“I don’t need to have a degree in visual arts to dance, Graham.” My fists pinch into my hips.

“Listen to me, if you do this, you will regret it.” His eyes focus on the ceiling.

“Won’t you regret giving up Georgia?”

“How could I regret it? I have you back in my life, and I’m still getting a scout to come. I pretty much am living the dream.” He grins. The laugh lines around his eyes scrunch together when he holds back his laugh.