“Are we supposed to sit with them?” Aly’s heart rate sped up. What was she supposed to say? They’d probably ask why she was late. She didn’t want to bore them with details about the show, but she couldn’t be mute either.
“If they’re half as gorgeous as your man, we’re damn sure sitting with them. Toss me a bone here.” Lily threaded her arm through Aly’s as they headed out. “Leave your car here. I’ll drive.”
“Sure.” It would give her time to stress about being socially awkward in front of Will’s familyagain.
* * *
“Next time, I’m driving.”Aly still clung to the door, knuckles white, as Lily pulled into the parking spot twenty-five minutes later.
“What? Why?” Lily’s brow was creased in legitimate confusion.
“Because you drive like a psycho.”
Lily waved her off. “Don’t be ridiculous. You wanted to get here fast, and we did. You’re welcome.” She rolled her eyes and climbed out of the car to head into the building that housed the indoor pool. “Why isn’t this at Will’s gym?”
“They have meets all over the state. Tonight, the kids are qualifying for the state meet. I guess they needed a big complex,” Aly explained as they made their way inside. The crisp burn of chlorine hit her nose the exact moment the warm, humid air swamped her. The stadium seats were mostly full, and Aly didn’t see anyone she knew.
The second her gaze hit the concrete around the pool, she found Will. Sporting the team polo and black slacks, he was crouched and talking to a kid on the bench. Andy was wrapped in a towel a few feet down from Will. Aly sighed. The towel meant she’d missed at least one of his races.
“Let’s head down that way for now.” Lily pointed to two empty seats behind a group of women not far from where Andy sat on the bench in front of them.
Before her butt even hit the plastic seat, she regretted the decision.
“Did you watch it last night?” the blonde asked the woman to her right.
“Yes, but it’s got to be a stunt for the show. He was clear with you—he doesn’t date parents from the team. Plus, you know she’ll be gone in a few weeks. Staying and taking care of her brother has never been that woman’s priority.”
Lily huffed. “On second thought, let’s sit somewhere else.”
“It’s fine.” She could ignore petty jealousy. Logan had given her tons of practice with that.
In front of them, Will’s attention shifted to Andy. Aly couldn’t hear anything the two said, but Will scanned the stands until he spotted her. He tapped Andy and pointed, but her brother frowned hard when he looked her way; her tardiness was clearly not excused.
“Why is he pointing at us?” the woman in front asked the blonde.
“No idea…” Her blond hair swayed as she spun to look at Aly. She arched a brow and sneered before she turned back. Her voice lower than it had been but not low enough, she said, “The sister’s behind us, and she brought some Hollywood freak.”
Lily’s green eyes flashed with rage.
“Please,” Aly whispered, “just ignore them. Don’t embarrass Andy.” Aly channeled all her desperation into the plea. Lily could be unpredictable. “Lil, I can be the bigger person.” She tried to keep her voice low, but it wasn’t until Lily sighed, slumped in her seat, and yanked her phone out of her purse that Aly let out the breath she’d been holding.
“She’s definitely thebiggerperson.” The blonde’s stage whisper made Aly’s jaw clench.
“Oh my God,” the other woman barked. “Seriously, don’t worry. I’m sure it’s all a stunt. Look at him. They aren’t even in the same league.”
Aly studied Will. His chiseled forearms flexed as he typed rapidly on his phone. At a glance, Will did look good. Thoughgoodwasn’t a strong enough word. He looked like her every fantasy come to life. But that wasn’t what made him special. It was the little things, like how he always sat with her while she ate dinner, no matter how late it was. Or how she’d been there for three weeks, but somehow, the daisies in the vase in her room always looked fresh. And the way he cared about her little brother. Those were the things that put him in a league of his own.
“Hey, doll,” a deep voice called, and both women in front of them turned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m talking to Aly.”
What? She whipped her head around, but she didn’t recognize the enormous blond man.
He smirked. “The rumors don’t disappoint.”
What did that mean? Aly blinked, unsure of what to say. But before she could utter a word, he continued.
“And you must be Lily.” The man smiled at her friend.
Lily stood and cocked one shoulder, tossing her head back. “My reputation precedes me. You must be the hot available brother Danny.”