On Solid Ground: Sequel to in Too Deep by Michelle Kemper Brownlow Page A

slapped me on the back, which made my head throb even harder.
    “Hey, shithead, I’m injured. Knock it off with the slapping.” I back-handed him in the stomach and ducked out of the way of his retaliation. Maverick was a Naval ROTC guy who could kick my ass with his eyes closed, so I knew I’d pushed it by hitting him back. His real name was Sean, but Sam could never keep straight who we were talking about, and it was too much hassle referring to them as ROTC Sean and Becki’s Shawn, not to mention it sounded ridiculous. So we settled on a nickname from the Navy-centered movie
Top Gun
.
    “You were mumbling something about Gracie when I helped you stand up. Are you two actually dating? I was there last semester for the show.”
    “Yeah.” I wasn’t about to get into the details of the last twelve hours with Mav. My head hurt enough already. “Wait. What show?”
    “Your party last semester. You two made out in the hallway. I just assumed it was a drunken thing. Didn’t know you’d dumped Jessica for her. Gracie’s hot. But then again, so was Jess. You’re a stud, man.” He slapped me on the back again.
    “Dude. Seriously?”
    “Look, I saved your life. You can’t yell at me.”
    “Saved my life? The doctor said I didn’t even lose consciousness. I remember walking to Student Health with you. I banged up my knee and bumped my head. Life-saving wasn’t part of your day, Mav.”
    “Well, I’m glad you’re good ‘cuz that hottie over there is waiting for me to take her to lunch.” Maverick slapped me harder on the back and jogged backwards, laughing for a couple steps before turning back around and grabbing the ass of the girl waiting for him.
    My knee was throbbing by the time I got to our building. I leaned against the wall as I waited for the elevator. I was picking at the bandage taped across my eyebrow when the doors opened and Becki and Gracie walked out.
    “Jake!” Gracie ran over to me and held me by my waist as she looked me up and down. There was a huge patch of gauze covering the gash on my knee that swelled and turned blue with each step I took.
    “Gracie, it’s okay. Just got a little banged up. Fell while I was running.” I could feel her warm hands through my shirt, and when she lifted them to touch my face, she brushed my chest, and I swore my heart skipped a beat. She held my face and tried to peek under the wad of gauze.
    “Are you sure you’re okay? Your knee looks awful. I should—” She looked at Becki who raised her eyebrow as if to remind her she didn’t need to take care of me. Gracie’s eyes lifted to mine with a sadness so heavy, I thought she would burst into tears.
    “No. Gracie, I’m fine. I swear. You and Becki go do...whatever it is you two do when you’re together. Nails. Shopping. Go. I’m good.” I didn’t want her to go. I wanted those warm hands all over my body. I wanted her lips on mine. I wanted to know, after she was done hanging out with Becki, she’d be in my bed. But that wasn’t how the day was going to go. I was going upstairs to my apartment, and later, she’d go home to hers.
    “Will you call me if you need anything?” She wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed me gently. The feeling of her head on my chest made me smile.
    “I promise, baby girl.”
    She smiled and turned to leave. The elevator had been up and down a couple times while she’d examined me and made sure I was okay. This time, when it opened, it was empty. I stepped on it alone.
    I scrolled through my contact list on my phone and found Maverick’s number.
    “Dude, you busy later? I’m going to need a drink. Or ten.”

Fifteen
    Gracie
    I didn’t turn back around to see if Jake was still in the lobby or if he’d gotten on the elevator. My heart stung, and I was nauseous.
    “Becki.” Her name came out like a sigh.
    “Gracie, deep breaths.” She reached over and rubbed my back a little. It didn’t help, but I appreciated her effort.
    “Do you think he