Chapter 14
I heard the sound of voices coming from the hallway early this morning. It makes me wonder who Demi may have recruited to help her move, but I guess it’d be pretty fucking stupid of me to assume she doesn’t have friends of her own she can call.
Birdie’s pouncing all over the end of my bed, chasing her own tail as I make my way into the closet. I reach for an easy outfit, something I can wear for a quick run down by the water—or help someone move, whichever presents itself first.
Nate
Charity golf tourney coming up, you still playing?
Yeah I planned on it. When is it again?
Nate
Next weekend.
I’ll be there baby
The charity golf events are always a good time and a place where we see a lot of other athletes too.
In my younger years, it used to be one big party to me—a time to play golf, drink beer, and have a good time.
I still enjoy doing all three of those things, but I don’t try to turn a day’s event into a whole weekend ordeal anymore.
After throwing on a pair of running shoes, I grab my keys, give Birdie a few behind the ear scratches, and head out the door.
There are two men walking toward me in the hallway, and I hear music coming from Demi’s new apartment.
It’s like a fucking siren song, I can’t resist it, and instead of heading to the elevator I take the handful of steps toward her open front door.
Demi’s facing away from me, a large moving box sits on the coffee table as she’s slightly bent over pulling things out. I watch as she pulls out a book, and then another book and…is that entire box just books? I look at the six boxes lined up behind that one.
There’s a clear bin on the floor near the kitchen island that looks to be filled with kitchen appliances.
I scan what I can, noticing an air fryer and something that looks like a coffee maker or an espresso machine, except it looks like something that’s maybe used on the stovetop.
On the floor next to the bin is her brown bag with the Dominican flag keychain dangling on the side.
A piece of knowledge I committed to memory after seeing that keychain on her bag in the hall outside of Coach Aarons’s office.
I’ve never googled something so fast in my life.
Her hair is up in a bun, but some of her curls are falling out from the sides.
She’s probably been at this for hours, based on how early I heard things this morning.
Her feet are bare, she shuffles between boxes, and I notice she’s just sorting books around within the boxes, not actually unpacking them.
“Excuse me.” A rough voice sounds behind me. It’s one of the guys from the hallway. His unruly brown hair spilling over his forehead. It isn’t until he walks past me that I see the back of his shirt says Heff and Son’s Moving. So these aren’t friends of hers.
“Hey, should I expect you to just be lurking in my doorway and stuff now that I live here?”
I move my attention from the mover to the sound of Demi’s voice walking toward me. She has a paper towel roll in her hands, and I slowly let my eyes roam over her. I smile at the black leggings and acid washed T-shirt she’s wearing, proving my point that she doesn’t wear color.
“We have a noise policy here,” I say, tipping my chin toward her Bluetooth speaker on the counter. “I was just, uh, checking on that volume.”
“Ah.” She grins, turning away from me. She unrolls a couple pieces of the paper towel and begins wiping down the counter. “I like my music at a reasonable volume, not to worry.” She clicks her tongue, and I follow her hands as they move in circles on the counter.
“That’s good to hear.” I cross my arms over my chest before taking my hat and flipping it backward on my head.
Demi’s chocolate-coated eyes give me a not-so-subtle roam as she crumples up the paper towel and tosses it into a garbage bag hanging on one of the cabinet knobs.
I feel dumb as fuck standing in the doorway like this, but it also doesn’t feel right to just walk into her apartment.
She reaches into a brown paper bag and pulls out a giant chocolate chip cookie, taking a bite and tossing her head back, clearly enjoying the flavor.
Cookies at ten in the morning, huh? Who am I to judge?
I clear my throat, working up the courage to find any way I can to stay near her. “Can I come in?”
She stares at me, cookie in one hand and the other propped on her hip.
I almost repeat myself based on the amount of time that’s passed, but I give her my most charming smile instead.
Demi finishes off the cookie and wipes the corners of her mouth with her thumb and index finger before licking them, and I’ve never been into food play before but fuck, that was hot.
“No,” she says, smiling as she does.
My shoulders pull back a bit and I almost choke on a laugh as I nod. Honestly, it’s even hotter that she said no.
“Smart,” I say. “No boys allowed.”
“Have a good day, Twelve.” She turns around without a second glance and goes back to her box—or boxes—of books.
“You too, Dem,” I say, palming the doorframe just before I leave.
I guess no better time than the present to go for a quick run. Burn off some of this energy I’ve developed in the last ten minutes. Demi being my neighbor is fucking awesome…but, man, is it going to test my willpower.
I haven’t seen Demi in two days. I thought living next to her would increase the time I see her, not the opposite. But her schedule at training camp hasn’t involved me since a lot of her interviews are already wrapped up and we’ve been busy prepping for preseason.
“Morning, you beautiful gentlemen.” I tip my hat to Ford and Nate as I pull up beside them on the golf cart.
We’re participating in the Par for the Course charity today. It’s a big golf tournament that helps benefit the children’s hospital in the area—athletes from all Florida sports teams come together for this one.
“Did you know the temperature is supposed to feel like 107 today?” Ford jabs both hands into his hips like a pouting child.
“Cry me a river.” I get out of the golf cart and walk over to see who else is here at the check-in tent.
“West is here,” Nate says, motioning up the hill.
“Is he?” I’m eager to see West Hendricks.
He’s on Tampa’s baseball team—he and I work out together whenever we’re able to.
His sister is a professional volleyball player, and I always love giving him shit about his little sister being more talented than him.
“I’m going to go say hi to him real quick. I’ll be right back.”
I toss Nate the keys to the golf cart as I head toward the tent, passing crowds of people as I do. To my disdain, when I see West, he’s talking to the one guy I want to punch more than anyone else.
Brandon Nells stands tall, towering over basically every other person here today.
“Hey, Evans!” West shouts, slapping my hand and pulling my shoulder for a hug.
“How’s it going, man?”
“Hey, I’m just happy to be here. How’s it looking this season?”
Brandon doesn’t say anything to me but doesn’t completely ignore my presence as I notice his body straighten in an effort to appear bigger—a gesture he doesn’t need to make. You’re a fucking giant, no comparison needed, man.
“We’ll see, we’ll see. So far things are looking great. It’s been a fun camp so far.”
Brandon scoffs under his breath, but he should know nothing he does goes unnoticed when you take up that much space.
“What’s up, Nells?” I finally say, taking a step in his direction.
His size doesn’t intimidate me. It never has. But he doesn’t stick around for conversation.
“Nice seeing you, West.” Brandon extends his hand to West, turning his attention from me.
“Have a great day!” I wave to him as he’s already a handful of steps away.
“The fuck was that about?” West laughs.
I stare in Brandon’s direction. I wish he’d turn around and say something to me. I wish he’d just give me a reason to unleash on him. I don’t even need to know what happened with him and Demi to know it was his fault.
His piss-poor attitude toward me started well before they divorced, though. I wouldn’t be completely shocked if he knew about my crush on Demi, but it’s not like I ever acted on it while they were together. I’m not a fucking scumbag.
“Nothing,” I mutter. “Glad I got to see you, bro. Leah still making you look bad at family functions?”
“Always,” he says with a laugh and a shake of his head. “Let’s work out next time we can. Have a good day out there.”
We shake hands, and I head back down the hill where Ford and Nate are waiting. The tournament is about to start and I’m looking forward to my last golf day for a while.