Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chrissy
I t’s 3:30 p.m. when I stroll into Tea and Kittens, and I’m walking on air. These feelings coursing through me are new. I’ve never felt on top of the world. It’s like the little butterflies in my stomach are spreading serotonin through my body.
When Gwen strolls out from the back room, she smirks at me. “You just got plowed, didn’t you?” She clicks her tongue and shimmies her shoulders.
“Shut up, woman.” I try adding some bite to my tone, but I can’t wipe the wide smile off my face.
I settle in a booth across the room and sort through my notebook. Gwen slides into the seat across from me and leans across the table, resting on her elbows.
“If I recall, the last time we talked, you were taking a day for self-care. Did that include sleeping with a certain blond football player?”
“Initially, no . . .”
“Spill the tea, missy.”
Talking to Gwen is easy; there’s a reason we’re best friends. I start by telling her about my trip to the store and then the run-in with Raina and Malik. It didn’t surprise her that I put him in his place, not as much as it surprised me.
What did leave her baffled was when I told her what Rome did.
“He talked to Zack?”
I nod.
“Alone?”
I nod again.
“Holy shit, he’s really into you.”
I blush and look at my hands folded over my notebook. “Yeah, he is.”
“And you feel the same? You’re not feeling any regret?”
I look up at my best friend and shake my head. “No, I’m not. It feels different, Gwen. He’s making me feel things that I’ve never felt before. It’s. . . It feels like my heart has flown out of my chest. He’s stolen it, and I don’t want it back. Is that crazy?”
“Not even a little.” Gwen reaches for my hand and offers me a warm grin. “I’m here for you, even if you get scared. Don’t push him away, you hear me? You deserve every second of this.”
“I believe you, and I’ll come to you if I catch myself falling into old habits.”
“Good.” The corners of her eyes crinkle, and she squeals. “Fucking finally! The tension between the two of you was becoming insufferable! Whenever you were in the same room, I was waiting for one of you to jump the other’s bones. And the master plans? Thank god those are done! Is he meeting you here?”
“Yes, should be here any minute now.”
Her eyes dart toward the door.
“Coffee, tea, muffins, whatever you two want, it’s on me. Can I text Ash?” She asks as she fumbles for her phone.
“Go ahead, but let me talk to Zack before you do.”
“Easy. Oh my god, he’s going to flip!” Gwen leaps out of the booth and starts to text the love of her life.
I reach for my own phone and send a quick message, thanking the man who is not only the reason I’m smiling so much but also the reason I’m pleasantly sore.
I’ve ended up on the floor, letting a group of kittens tangle themselves in my hair and stomp all over my stomach. I bring my phone to my face and check the time: 5:00 p.m. on the dot. This isn’t like him. He knew we were supposed to meet almost an hour and a half ago. Where the hell is he? I open my messages and the last three I sent are still unanswered.
This is a friendly reminder that you are ten minutes late to your appointment. Where are you, Captain?
This is a not-so-friendly reminder that you are forty-five minutes late. Where are you? Are you okay?
Rome Carter, where the fuck are you?! I’ve been waiting for an hour now.
So, I send one final message.
I’m really worried. Please tell me you’re okay. I promise I won’t get mad.
Dropping my arms, I cradle my device while a cat licks my cheek. It is hot today; did he faint from dehydration? Did he succumb to heat stroke? Fuck, did someone tackle him the wrong way, and he’s currently lying in a hospital bed with a multitude of broken bones... or worse, in a coma?
I sit straight up. Worst-case scenarios are running rampant through my mind, and they won’t stop.
As I scramble to my feet, I gather my notebook and bag. “Gwen, I’m going to the sports center. If Rome shows up, tell him to call me.”
I storm out the door before she can respond.
The sun has set, cooling the air to a still-warm seventy-nine degrees. The humidity is still thick, but I’m not soaked with perspiration when I push open the doors and strut down the hall. I aim for the locker room, and without a care, I open the door and make my presence known.
“Y’all better be dressed in here because I’m coming in!” When I round the bend, I don’t see Rome or anyone who can help me find him.
“Where the fuck are you?” I whisper.
A door near the back opens, and voices spill into the locker room. I walk toward them without a second thought.
“Here you go, Coach. I went over the plays and made some suggestions I think will be useful.”
My upper lip twitches at the sound of his voice. He’s the last person I want to see.
“You’re an hour late in getting these me to,” Coach Bradson lectures.
“Sorry, I was showing a rookie how I go over the plays. He wanted to learn.”
I peek around the corner and see Coach nod in approval at Malik. “Very good. I’ll review your notes and see if I can recommend you for that position you want to get into.”
“Thanks, Coach.” Malik turns and locks his dark brown eyes on mine. Without saying anything, he winks at me, and I flip him off.
Before the coach can return to his office, I call out for him. “Coach Bradson, please wait a moment.”
His brow wrinkles when he looks at me. His messy hair is sticking up from the heat and being outside. He has kind eyes, but I know he’s stern. He seems like the kind of guy who offers tough love, but I don’t get the feeling that he’s cruel. His aura feels too warm.
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here,” I start.
“Are you lost? The women’s locker room is on the other end of the hall.”
“What? No. I’m looking for Rome. Rome Carter. Do you know where he is?”
Realization hits him, and his stance softens. “You’re his psych mentor. I remember you. Good, this is good.” He looks around the room before continuing. “Something is going on between him and Malik Chen. I’m not as big of a fool as they think I am. Malik claimed Rome was sick; I can’t take those claims lightly. Not in this weather. Before I could bench him, Rome started yelling about Malik lying. The two of them clashed. I haven’t seen Rome since. I talked to Chen before he gave me this—” He gestures at the packet.
Glancing down, I sigh when I recognize his handwriting. I haven’t seen it often, but I would recognize those fancy curves anywhere.
Oh, Rome, we talked about this.
“Rome is being very cooperative with the mentorship. I’ll talk to him once I find him.”
I want to tell him Rome provided the notes on the plays. He’s been helping the rookies get acclimated and ensuring everyone is okay during and after practice. But then I would be stepping on Rome’s toes. He’s finally opening up to me. I don’t want to push him away by crossing a boundary.
“Thank you.”
I offer him a small smile before turning around and heading back into the hallway.
I’m at a loss. I have no idea where even to start looking for him. I’m pulling out my phone when the urge to look up overwhelms me.
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you.” Rome crashes into me and wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me off my feet. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to stand you up. I had to help one of the freshmen with his workout regimen. My phone was in my bag. I got distracted.” He puts me on the ground and places his hands on my cheeks. “Please forgive me.” His voice falters, making my heart ache.
With a sigh, I nod and force myself to smile through the pain. “I’m not mad. You just scared me.” I run my fingers through his hair. “You look like you need to go to bed.”
His jaw is lax, and his eyes are tired. He looks defeated, and I bet he has no intentions of telling me what happened between him and Malik.
“You have no idea.” He rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes.
“Want me to drive you home? I can walk back to my dorm. It’s not far.”
Without opening his eyes, he nods. “Can you stay with me? I need to hold you.”
“I would love that.” I kiss his cheek, and he hands me his keys.
We walk to his car, his arm wrapped around my waist the entire time. When we approach his old-school Jeep, he rushes forward and opens the door for me, even though it looks like he’s about to collapse.
My heart swells, and I smile at him. “Thank you. Now, sit before you pass out.”
“Yes, boss.”
The drive home is silent. Rome fell asleep within five minutes of getting in the car.
When I stop at a red light, I glance at him and drop my shoulders. Why did he not tell me what happened? Why hasn’t he told me what Malik did? Why lie?
Reaching out, I trace his jawline with my knuckles. “I’ll take care of you,” I whisper. “Even if you don’t want me to, I’ll take care of you. Always.”