Chapter 12 Parker #2
“We grew up together,” I say, probably stating the obvious. “I was just the annoying little sister. We’ve never been able to stand each other.”
“Is that right?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.” He answers too fast, and my brows pinch. “Did you know he ripped Sutherland a new one the other week when he said something about you joining the medical team here?”
“Linc has always been protective of those around him. He’d have done the same for Casey, Reese, or any of the other females on staff.”
“If you say so.”
I want to ask more, but I find myself biting on the inside of my lips, stopping any words spilling free.
Instead, the conversation turns to other things as I help him stretch out his lateral head.
Before long, the trainers’ room empties out. Mitchell thankfully disappears, although he leaves me to tidy up his shit.
I’m bent over, straightening the mats, when a familiar, welcome voice hits my ears.
“Should we be worried about our boys getting injured on purpose just to get the hot new trainer’s hands on them?”
I spin around with a wide grin stretched across my face. My best friend is in the doorway, leaning a hip against the doorframe, her arms folded in front of her chest.
“Ready for that Mexican I promised you?”
“Been ready all afternoon,” I say, my stomach growling at just the thought of food alone, let alone tacos and margaritas. “Let’s go.”
I head toward the back of the room, which leads to our offices, and pause when Jarad’s voice hits my ears.
“Yes, sir?” I ask, stopping in his doorway.
“Less of the sir, please. It makes me feel old.”
“Sorry,” I mumble.
He waves me off. “Great work out there today. Your knowledge of our athletes is really going to help make this transition smoother.”
“I’ll do everything I can to make this as easy as possible.”
“I know Mitchell can be a little standoffish. He’s feeling threatened by your arrival, I don’t think that’s a secret. But he’ll relax. Just focus on your job. And just know, you can come to me about anything. My door is always open.”
“Thank you, si—Jarad. I appreciate that.”
“Now go out and celebrate. Things are about to get wild.”
Butterflies flutter in my belly. I can’t wait to get on the road and sucked in during games.
It’s going to be busy and exhausting, but I can’t think of anything better right now. It’ll push thoughts of my lost home, and the new one I’ve found myself in, far from my mind.
Arm in arm, Casey and I walk out of the main arena entrance and out into the evening sun toward my car.
After heading to our favorite Mexican, we eat our body weight in our favorite dishes and force ourselves to be sensible by only having two margaritas. It’s a school night, after all.
We have the best evening together, and she allows me to forget my worries in a way that no one else can.
But all too soon, I have little choice but to drop her off at her new home before heading to mine.
“The offer is still there to move in with us,” she says before getting out of the car, her eyes focused on my face, searching for signs that I’m going to agree.
“I appreciate it, but no. I’m okay where I am for now. After this away stretch, I’ll start figuring out my options.”
“Okay, well, the offer will still stand.”
She leans over the center console to kiss my cheek.
“But in the meantime, give that boy hell, P. He deserves it.”
You don’t know the half of it…
I watch her go, jealousy trickling through my veins when Kodie pulls the front door open a few seconds before she gets to it as if he was waiting for her, missing her.
One day…
Maybe…
With a wave and a forced smile, I spin out of their driveway and head home.
Home.
Linc’s home.
The temptation to drive around for a bit to waste time is strong, but I’m exhausted and my bed is calling.
I park in the garage and get into the elevator in record time. Silently, I count the floors as I climb through the building, trying to distract myself from wondering if Linc will be there. If he’ll be entertaining.
I’m not sure what’s worse: the thought of having the entire team up there or him being with a woman.
Shoving the unwanted feeling that thought threatens to drag up, I hitch my purse up higher on my shoulder and step toward the doors.
The second they open into his private hallway, the most incredible scent hits me.
I’m full, but still, my mouth waters.
Making my way toward the kitchen, I try to figure out what it is.
There’s tomato, garlic—lots of garlic—and cheese. It smells delicious and drags up an image of Linc standing in his kitchen, wearing an apron and cooking. It’s at complete odds with everything I know about my brother’s best friend.
All of those thoughts immediately leave my head though as I step around the corner and see him sitting at the dining table with an empty plate in front of him and another full one opposite him. There’s a bottle of unopened wine in the middle of the table, and a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Holy shit, he’s on a date. And from the hard, irritated expression on his face, he’s not happy about being interrupted.
I’m about to excuse myself when he speaks.
“Where have you been?”