The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,29
You look amazing.”
Her smile says she believes me. Sydney doesn’t often need or request my praise, but after seeing how happy she was when Jonah fawned over her earlier, I realize I need to be quicker to give it. A job I’m happy to do.
I stand and close the distance between us. Running my hand down her arm, because I can’t freaking help myself, I breathe her in. She smells like my shampoo and body wash and fuck, why is that so hot?
“You look pretty good yourself.” She places a hand on my chest. It’s when she compliments me that I realize I may not have been doling out the praise, but she always has. A new shirt or even an old one that she thinks fits me well, a good hair day, little things sometimes, but she’s always looked for, and been verbal about, the ways I impress her.
I’m a fucking idiot.
“Let’s go show you off.” I hold my arm out, and she grabs on to my bicep.
The Cove is only about five minutes by boat but by car it takes us almost thirty. The Uber pulls up to the front door and I climb out behind Sydney.
The bar is at the front of the place leaving room for tables on the back half that look out at the lake. We squeeze in and order drinks. A band is set up on one side and they’re covering a Heart song. Sydney sways in place to the music.
“I know that look,” I tell her, shaking my head. “I’m going to have to carry you off the dance floor tonight, aren’t I?”
She grins. Yep, that’s a yes.
We take our drinks and weave through the crowd. Jonah is easy to spot, especially since he’s somehow commandeered three tables. They’re pushed together and pitchers of beer and empty shot glasses line the surface.
“Hey!” Jonah calls out when he sees us. “Syd, I saved you a seat next to me.”
She rushes off without hesitation and I take the only other seat on the opposite side by Ollie and a couple of guys I recognize from the boat yesterday.
The band continues to cover popular songs from the past thirty years which fits the mix of ages in here.
I’m half-listening to the guys and sneaking glances at Sydney across the table. She and Jonah talk and laugh. He stands and helps her to her feet.
“So, Tanner,” Ollie starts, pulling my attention away from the hot, blonde otherwise known as my best friend. “Which are you going to do after college, baseball or basketball? I assume they’re both scouting you.”
“I’m not sure.” I finish off my beer and set it on the table.
“Maybe you could do like Michael Jordan did. Play a few years of one and then switch.”
Laughter slips out. “Even Jordan didn’t pull that off.”
The truth is, I haven’t decided. I don’t want to give up either. Each professional organization has pros and cons and the lifestyle of both will be brutal. Tara’s definitely right about that even if I’d never admit it to her. Still I can’t imagine giving up either let alone both.
Every time I think I’ve made up my mind, I change it. I still have some time before I need to commit to anything, and I’m going to take all that I need to make sure I make the right decision.
Thinking about that is depressing as hell though, so I stand to get another beer from the bar. Sydney and Jonah are on the dance floor, front and center.
With a fresh beer, I lean a hip against the bar and watch them. Jonah holds on to Sydney’s hands and lifts them so that she can twirl. Seeing two people from different parts of my world hitting it off so well gives some sort of balance to my life. Sydney and I are so much alike, I don’t expect there’s anyone in my life she wouldn’t get along with.
I head back to the table and fall back into conversation with Ollie. He’s telling me about his part-time job at the golf course when long arms wrap around my neck from behind. Sydney’s hair falls over my shoulder before she leans down so we’re cheek to cheek. She still smells like my bodywash but now it’s intertwined with sweat and alcohol. That should turn me off, but it doesn’t.
“Did they kick you off the floor already?”
“Quick hydration break.”
I hand her the diet and Malibu I got for her at the bar.