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“That was easy,” I joke.
“Well, personally, if you guys can live here and at least have some privacy, that’s all I’m looking for.”
Tweetie puts his arm around Rowan’s shoulder. “This guy is like you for the Falcons. He’s the heartthrob all the women want.”
Rowan almost appears embarrassed but doesn’t deny it.
“They’re out at the end of the week, so whenever you want to move in, it’s yours. I’ll hire a cleaning crew in between.”
“Great. I’ll give my current place two weeks’ notice, although I think they want me out sooner than later.” I must look confused because he continues on. “The women in the building stop by my apartment all the time. Sometimes they loiter around my door when I’m not home. And my neighbor across the way is done with it. She’s taken it to management, and somehow they see me as the problem.”
“That’s a rough one. You won’t experience that here. I’ll take you down and introduce you to Ruby at Peeper’s Alley. She throws the women out if they become a bother.”
“Perfect.”
I take them downstairs to Peeper’s Alley. All the men turn around in their stools and look at Rowan and Tweetie before turning back around to watch the old TV above the bar.
Ruby comes by. “Who are your friends, Cooper?” I’m not sure how much this group watches hockey.
“They play for the Falcons. Rowan Landry and Tweetie Sorenson.”
“Tweetie, did your mom not like you or something?” Ruby asks.
They all chuckle. “It’s my nickname on the ice.”
“Are you a gossiper?”
“No. I chirp at my opponents all the time.” He grins.
“I like that then.” Her eyes go to Rowan. “You’ve got one?”
“Um…”
“Magic,” Tweetie tells her. We all look confused, and Rowan lowers his gaze to the ground. “He’s got moves on the ice like Magic Mike.”
“Stripper moves?” Ruby asks, and I’m surprised she even knows the movie Magic Mike.
“Not really, he’s just really smooth,” Tweetie says, laughing so hard it’s contagious.
“Well welcome, Rowan. You seem quiet, and I like quiet.” She looks pointedly at Tweetie. “You, on the other hand, not so much.”
“Why?” He follows her closer to the bar, and I tell Rowan to follow me so I can show him our private room in case fans find him. What I’m not prepared for is to find Ellery in the room with Bryce, her suitcase by the door.
She got back and came to see Bryce instead of me? This isn’t a good start.
Chapter 27
Ellery
The door to the backroom at Peeper’s Alley opens, and my stomach drops, because without looking behind me, I know Cooper is there. I can feel him.
“Elle?” he says.
Bryce’s hand squeezes mine, and she lets me go. “Who are your guests, Cooper?”
I turn around to face him. Bryce is my savior for giving me time to process everything I just told her.
“This is Rowan Landry and Tweetie Sorenson,” he answers.
