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“Hey,” I say, an idea hitting me. “You guys should stay at my house.”
“No, that’s—”
I cut in. “Seriously, Gia. I’m not even here half the time because I’m on the road. My house is huge, like six thousand square feet. I only bought it for the privacy and the pool, but it’s a lot bigger than I need. There’s a guest room on the main level Ro can have.”
There’s silence on the other end of the line, until a kid’s voice yells out, “Butthole!”
“Um…I don’t know,” Gia says.
I can tell from her voice she’s stressed. Ro’s parents must have a full house if Gia and Ro are stuck on the couch and a recliner. This is something small I can do to help her, and I want to.
“Look, I’ll stay with a teammate while you guys are here if it makes you feel better.”
“No, it’s not that,” she says immediately. “It’s just that it could be eight weeks. That’s a long time.”
“Afraid you’ll fall for me?” I tease.
“You wish.”
“Not gonna deny that.”
“Are you completely sure?” she asks me.
A spark of hope warms my chest. I love the thought of Gia living in my house for the next eight weeks. Seeing her in her pajamas and telling her good night. Waiting for the coffee to brew together.
We may not know each other well yet, but I really like Gia. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever known. She’s strong, smart and capable. But when she told me on the phone after Ro’s accident that she doesn’t get close to people, I saw a new side of her. A vulnerable side. The fact that she’s willing to stay with Ro at her parents’ house even though they’re both miserable says a lot about who Gia is. She’s loyal.
“I’m completely sure. I’m going to text you my address and order a bunch of groceries. Get over here, okay?”
“I’ll talk to Ro first, but…we’ll probably take you up on your offer. Thanks.”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”
I get up and take a couple pictures of my pool, sending Gia my address and then the photos. Just in case she needs a little extra convincing.
Chapter Fourteen
Gia
“Dude,” Ro says softly as I pull into the curved driveway in front of Maverick’s sprawling red brick home. “This place had to cost a mint.”
“I’m sure the neighbors will love seeing my beat-up ’08 Camry in the driveway,” I say, laughing as I park.
“And who, exactly, is gonna come over and complain to a pro hockey player?” She can’t help but snort as she laughs. “Those guys aren’t afraid to get into a fight.”
Ro’s words remind me that even though I like Maverick a lot, I still don’t know him all that well. Does he have a quick temper? Is he a slob about housework? I guess I’ll know the answer to that one soon enough.
I help Ro out of the car, which is no easy feat with her cast. She has an appointment with a specialist in a few days, where she’ll find out what the future holds for her dancing career. In the meantime, she’s trying not to worry about it so much.
“Okay, lean all your weight on me,” I say, squatting down next to the passenger seat of my car.
“I’m trying,” she says, groaning. “I don’t want to knock us both over.”
It’s a blazing hot day, and we’re both sweating buckets.
“Can you just pull me out?” she asks.
“I’m trying.”
“You just dripped sweat on me, gross.”
I glare at her. “I wouldn’t be sweating so hard if you’d—”
“Here, I’ve got it,” Maverick calls from behind me.
I turn and give him a grateful smile. My smile fades, though, when I see he’s only wearing a pair of dark swim trunks.
His chest and arms are carved with hard muscle and bronzed by the sun. My heart races faster with every step he takes toward us, the thought of feeling his bare body pressed against mine makes me even hotter.
“Close your mouth before you catch a fly,” he murmurs to me with a wink.
I scoff, but it’s all for show. We both know I was checking him out.
“Okay, Ro,” he says, bending down. “Just grab onto my shoulders and I’ll support your weight.”
I’m overcome with an irrational flare of jealousy as Ro puts her hands on Maverick’s bare shoulders. She sees bodies like his every day as a dancer, and I know she has no interest in him. I just wish it was my hands on him.
I shake my head, trying to brush away the attraction I feel. I meant it when I said I only want to be friends with Maverick. Moving into his house, even though it’s only temporary, is going to make that harder.
Maverick and I each support one of Ro’s sides and help her hop up the stone stairs to the front door. Once Maverick pushes the door open, I grab her crutches from the car and she makes it through the door on her own.
