Chapter 28
Nash
The high of seeing Ellie and winning has long worn off. I’m sitting in my empty-ass penthouse apartment watching reruns of The Office when I hear my phone chirp.
#1 Receiver
Come over.
What the hell is this, a goddamn booty call. It’s almost eleven; it has to be, right? I bet Ellie told him to fuck off, and I’m his second option.
Nash
I figured you were above a booty call, Z.
#1 Receiver
It’s not a booty call, Djale I Bukur. But if you want it to be… it can. *winking face emoji
1I let the message sit on read for a minute. I would like to celebrate; that should be what I’m doing, but I know there would’ve been girls all over me tonight, and I only want one girl on me…
Ellie.
After that run-in with Marcello, though, I’ve tried avoiding her at all costs. He’s a very scary man that I do not want any problems with. No matter how much it feels like my heart has been pulled out and stomped on, I’m not risking pissing him off even more than I have.
The least I can do is hang out with Zamir. I feel bad for ignoring him more this week too, but I think he’s even worse off than me when it comes to Ellie.
I throw on a dingy T-shirt I had lying on my bed to go with my sweats and socks and don’t even bother to put shoes on. I sulk out of my apartment and knock on Zamir’s door.
He opens the door and looks me up and down; a look of concern passes his face, and he has me in a bear hug before I can even tell him I’m fine.
“What’s wrong with you, Nash?” His tone is beyond serious.
“Nothings wro—” I cut myself off because sitting at his island is the last person I need to be seen around. Ellie. That causes that spot in my heart to feel again, but fuck I can’t be here right now. I go to turn around and walk away, but Zamir grabs me by the back of my shirt and hauls me into his apartment. “Z, I can’t be here while she’s here.”
He tilts his head to the side like a curious dog would and asks, “Why the hell not, Rookie? You just harmed the Devils on the field tonight, and that is cause to celebrate.”
I’m already shaking my head while trying to come up with a lie to get me out of Zamir’s apartment. If Marcello sees me in here, he’s going to have my head. Literally.
“I have bubble guts. Gotta go back to my place. Now!” I turn around, grab the door handle, and jerk his door open. And just for shit and giggles, I grab my ass like I’m really about to shit myself on Zamir’s pristine floor. I holler over my shoulder, “Thanks for the invite, though.”
Speed walking to my door, I hope like hell I don’t run into Marcello out here in the hallway. I just told the guy I’m pining after that I was going to shit on his floor, but all I’m worried about is not pissing off the big boss man. I don’t know why Zamir gets to be around EIlie, and I can’t, but I’m also not sticking around to find out.
Waking up the next morning in my big-ass empty bed, in my even bigger empty apartment, I remember how I made a fool of myself last night. Pulling my phone out from under my pillow, the bright-ass light causes me to squint.
Mi Amor
I hope you’re feeling better today, Big Boy.
Yep, for sure made a goddamn fool of myself… Another message vibrates in from her. I hate not responding, but it’s what’s best for both of us.
As much as it pains me to say, I miss you. I don’t know what switch flipped in you, but can you flip it back now? I want to see you.
With that, I leave her on read, jump in the shower, throw on some joggers and a tee, and head towards the local bookstore. I need to escape my own reality, clearly. I pick up a few popular memoirs and a few fiction books. I look down at my buzzing phone again. Goddammit, now Zamir’s about to be up my ass.
#1 Receiver
What was that about last night, Nash?
Why did you say you couldn’t be around Ellie?
Fuck did you give her a STI or something?!
What does he take me for? He knows we get tested all the time for the league. Not to mention Ellie was the first person I’d had sex with without a condom on.
Nash
No, Zamir. I didn’t give her a STI.
Last week was an absolute blur. I kept my head down, training and ingraining every last play into my brain. Zamir and I were clearly working like a well-oiled machine on the field last night, sweeping the Devils like we did. I’ve been completely ignoring him outside of football, and I can tell it’s eating him alive. But with him comes Ellie, and I clearly can’t have that. I guess I should tell Zamir why I can’t be around her, or he won’t stop. He’s very persistent when he wants his info.
#1 Receiver
Okay? Well then, what has you acting like you have a stick up your ass?
Another text comes through. I roll my eyes but also find myself grinning.
I could be, but you’re playing. *Smirking emoji
Nash
Is she out of your apartment now?
#1 Receiver
Just dropped her back off at her apartment, Rookie.
Nash
Okay. I’ll head over to your place. Be there in 20. Send me your coffee order too.
I’m trying not to panic, walking up to Zamir’s door. I really just don’t want to run into Marcello out here again. I shouldn’t be scared to be on the fucking floor of the building I live in… but here I am. My main question is, why doesn’t Zamir get the same threats as I do? He’s been around Ellie a lot more than I have.
I’m in front of Zamir’s door, knocking with both our coffees in my hand, trying not to spill them everywhere. He opens the door, already smirking. Great, he’s in a mood already. God, he looks good. He has shorts on that have his strong thighs on full display and a cropped band tee on his top half showing the tattoos on the bottom of his stomach. These crop tops have to be stopped. I’m going to drop to my knees right here. I drag my gaze up, taking in his strong arms that are absolutely covered in tattoos as well, and then my eyes land on his glowing green ones. We stare at each other, letting the tension build between us.
He snatches his black coffee out of my hand, mocking me, “Are you done eye fucking me, Rookie?” I don’t know how anyone can drink this shit with nothing added to it, but to each their own I guess.
I deadpan, “No. I would like a couple more minutes. Turn around, let me see that ass of yours.” We’re alone in his apartment. I can stare if I want. He’s hot as fuck and sure as hell knows it.
We stop in the kitchen, which is pretty much identical to mine structure wise. The decorating is vastly different, though. I really do need to hit his guy up to decorate mine.
He takes a drink, and I watch his ink-covered throat, so fucking intrigued; his skin is a deep chestnut shade under all that ink. I just want to explore his whole body and appreciate all the time he was under the needles like it deserves. He pulls me back to reality by saying, “Spill, Rookie.” Marcello just told me to stay away from Ellie, so I’m guessing I’m allowed to tell Z, right? Probably not, but I need to tell someone.
“Marcello caught me in the elevator that morning after our fun film-watching night we all had.” I can feel my cheeks flushing just from the thought of the filthy shit we all did together. I’m fidgeting now, and Zamir looks so confused, so I blurt the rest out, “He grabbed me by the neck and told me to stay away from Ellie.” I look down at my feet, unable to keep eye contact with those piercing green eyes of his. They see too fucking much.
“And you’re listening to him?” Is he fucking high?
“Of course I am. I did one Google search of him before moving into this god-forsaken building, and I had plenty of answers on why I shouldn’t question that man’s authority.” I lean in and whisper, “He’s the head of the mafia here, Zamir. And he doesn’t even try to hide it. I shouldn’t be able to find that out on Google!” Technically, it was Reddit, but who’s keeping track?
A devilish grin takes over his face. “What if you’re looking at an ex-mafia man? Well, technically, not ex. Maybe retired is the better word. Or in limbo?” My jaws slack. What in the hell is he saying?
That has me speechless for a minute, but I find my wording. “What fucking universe am I in? The right dimension? No? Okay, cool.” I turn around to leave because I know I didn’t just hear that right. And if I did I don’t want to be here after finding that out. I thought mafia people kept that secret locked the fuck up. Under my breath, I mumble, “I’m being punked.”
“Nash, sit down,” he barks out, and I’m no less than running to one of the barstools under the island overhang. He’s so hot when he goes from joking to serious.
“You’re being serious right now, aren’t you? My dad is going to murder me. Oh my god, why would you tell me that? You can’t trust me with this info!” I’m spiraling, to say the least.
“Yes, I’m serious, Nash. I don’t know why I felt the need to tell you, but mainly because I don’t want you to fear Marcello. We’re normal people. We just do business the way most people wish they could.” He’s talking like he’s still involved in this shit.
I blurt before being able to stop myself, “Oh my god, you work for him?”
“No, not for Marcello, but all mafia folk know one another in some capacity, mainly to work together or to absolutely hate one another.” I’m still gawking at him, and he continues to blow my mind. “I’m from Chicago, so my family’s business is there.” He gives me a wink, hinting that it’s not actually a family business.
“This still doesn’t fix the issue here, Z. I can’t be around her; I’m not going against his orders. I’m not some trained killer like I’m guessing you are. The only thing I have going for me is my dad wanted me to take over the chief of police position in our hometown eventually, so he trained me for that.” I trail off, thinking of all the hours I put into that for absolutely nothing. It was purely to keep my dad happy… My dad who is still a cop.
I scoff internally. Maybe I’m more of a trained killer than I think I am.
1.MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - Loveless