Rough and Tumble by Shae Connor

Author:Shae Connor [Connor, Shae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: M/M romance, Multicultural Romances, Two-Hour LGBT Short Reads, New Adult & College Romance, contemporary romance, lgbt romance, gay romance, bisexual romance, college romance, Sports Romance, gymnastics, friend to lovers romance, Embrace, Entangled Publishing, Shea Connor, Rough and Tumble by Shae Connor, NA Romance, The University of Atlanta Series, series romance, Teammate Romance, Secret Crush Romance, roommate romance, Best friends romance, Multi-culltural romance, Atlanta, Georgia, College Campus Romance, Snarky Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-11-08T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

I keep my promise. Sunday night, just before I head to bed, I call Darryn. It rings and rings, finally rolling over to voicemail. My throat closes up as I listen to Darryn’s voice asking me to leave a message, but I manage to force out a few words.

“Hey,” I say. “Just checking in to see how you’re doing. I hope you’re not in too much pain. Um.” I swallow. “Take care of yourself.”

I end the call before I start rambling. I lie on my bed staring at the ceiling, my traitorous brain playing and replaying the conflict with Rich and its aftermath, until I finally fall into a fitful sleep in the wee hours.

I’m dragging my tailfeathers when I get to the gym Monday afternoon. Coach Everson doesn’t waste a second when I walk in.

“Clark!” he yells. “Get dressed out and hit the floor. You’re with Washington today.”

I muster up as much energy as I can to reply. “Sure thing, Coach!” I head toward the locker room, nodding toward a few teammates as I pass them. I’m suited up within minutes and head back out. Kenny’s already on the floor exercise mat warming up, so I join him, going through my usual pre-practice stretches.

Focusing on my body works its usual magic. By the time I’m ready to go, I’m feeling more alert, but my mind’s quiet. What happens outside the gym stays outside the gym.

I turn toward Kenny, who’s climbing to his feet from what I have to admit was a pretty impressive backbend. “You ready?”

Kenny nods and gives a tiny smile. “As I’ll ever be.”

I chuckle. “I doubt that.” I step off the edge of the mat and wave one arm. “Let’s see how you’re doing. You want to run the whole routine or just that section?”

Kenny ponders for a second. “One run-through would probably be good.”

“Okay then.” I clap my hands. “Go for it.”

I watch as Kenny moves to his starting spot, collects himself, and then spins into action, his routine starting with a pivot on one foot. He doesn’t have a high difficulty level overall, but his moves are precise, each turn sharp, every landing stuck. When he gets to his flairs, they’re executed properly and definitely improved from our last session, but he’s still not getting the height he needs.

He finishes in a full split, his arms extended up in a perfect vee, and I clap twice as he relaxes and meets my gaze for a second before climbing up off the mat.

“Good job,” I tell him as I walk over to him. “Your flairs look sharp, but you could still add some height. Don’t give up any momentum as you go through them. Keep pushing from start to finish.”

Kenny nods quickly before glancing up at me, biting his lip, and throwing me completely off balance. “I, um. I don’t know if it’s okay to ask.” He keeps his voice low. “How’s Darryn? I haven’t seen him back around campus yet.”

I take in a quick breath.

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