AllFreeNovel
Share Us
HARRY
NICKY: So, picking up on our hypothetical discussion from the other day. If your little sister was going to break the news to you that she secretly boinked your coworker/friend, when would be the best time to have that conversation?
ME: At his funeral, preferably
NICKY: [eyeroll emoji]
NICKY: You’re such an asshole. And to think I used to like you. Can’t imagine why
A few minutes pass by as I get busy filling my jug of workout mix and shoving clean clothes into my duffel bag. I head for the door.
NICKY: Look, Harry. You’re gonna need to start brother-ing right now. Because I’m about to make some questionable life choices
ME: Woman up, Nicky. Come clean about what’s going on before everything blows up in your face
Fat snowflakes flutter lazily to the ground. Rainbow-colored lights twinkle from the potted pine tree on my front porch as I take a chug from my workout jug and jog down the front stairs. My car is parked on my icy semi-circle driveway. I take a peek over my shoulder at my place.
Man—this is a great house. A part of me just wants to buy it outright but…this life I’m living still feels like a dream. Playing for my dream team right next to my hometown. I somehow can’t bring myself to believe that all this will last. It makes me hesitant to commit to real estate in this town.
As I hustle toward my car, I spy familiar yellow stationery peeking out from under my windshield wiper. I roll my eyes.
Yet another ‘friendly reminder’ from the rental company to take down my Christmas decorations. Ugh. Give me a break. Christmas was like, five minutes ago. What the hell do they have against my multicolor string lights?
In any case, I’m too damn busy to worry about that stuff at the moment. I’m running late today.
I hop in my car and head to the Paragons workout facility for my afternoon warmups.
We barely eked out a win yesterday. But it was a win, nonetheless. It’s on us to keep this winning streak going if we want to advance to the next round of the championship. Right now, our chances of winning our division aren’t looking good.
I’ve been moving on autopilot lately, completely bummed by my recent decision to give up on Nadia. I know Ziggy advised me to just fall back and let things unfold as they will, but it’s not sitting right with me that I decided to give up on my dream girl.
What the hell? Since when do I just give up on the things I want. I’ve never been that guy. I would have never gotten to the professional leagues, I would have never wound up playing for my dream team, if I were the guy who just tucks tail and walks away when he doesn’t get what he wants.
But a man’s got to take a hint after a while, no? I’ve been pursuing her for months and getting nowhere. I need to take a break from sniffing at her like a horny cocker spaniel at the dog park. That strategy clearly hasn’t been working for me.
I get to the facility and park my sportscar in one of the spots reserved for us players. As I’m hauling my duffle over my shoulder, stalking down the hall, I glance up and my chest stutters.
Nadia.
I can’t lie. I’m surprised to see her here. Normally, there’s just Paragons cheerleaders and the team’s support staff who pass through these halls.
I know that Nadia has a hand in every aspect of Liam’s various business ventures but this is the first time I’ve seen her lingering outside the doorway of the Paragons workout facility.
Not that I’m complaining.
My eyes drink her in, while she’s not looking. Her workout gear is far from revealing. Even in her oversized t-shirt and leggings, she looks better than all the team cheerleaders who prance around in their skimpy bra top things and their tiny spandex biker shorts.
She’s gorgeous. She’s my every fantasy come to life.
And she doesn’t want me. Fuck.
I walk up on her without her even noticing, as she suspiciously paces near the door.
“Hey,” I rasp.
She startles, her hand flying up to cover her heart. “Oh! Hey.”
I grin, but it feels sad and limp like week-old lettuce on my lips. I’m not feeling any of my usual bravado today.
