Chapter 6
HAZEL
I’m sitting in my living room and trying to get some words typed in my dissertation, but the scent of roses is nearly overwhelming.
I glance around the living room and shake my head.
Chadwick has sent me twenty bouquets. Twenty.
Some might think it romantic…but he didn’t send me flowers once during our year-long relationship, and even after we broke up, the flowers only started arriving after Penn overheard our argument and stepped in to pretend we were dating.
So clearly, Chadwick is only sending gifts because he wants what someone else has—or what he thinks someone else has.
He’s like a toddler who was bored with their toy until someone else started playing with it. The whole idea is ludicrous to me.
On top of flowers, Chadwick has also sent cards with pre-written poetry—eye roll.
Chocolates—I don’t even like chocolate. And jewelry—I rarely wear jewelry, and even if I did, I’d never wear the items he picked out; they don’t reflect my personal style at all.
If he would’ve bothered listening to me and really getting to know me, he’d know this.
What about my thrifted plaid skirts and cozy jumpers screamed white gold heart necklace with baguette encrusted diamonds? Men who don’t know what type of jewelry their girlfriends—er, ex-girlfriends—like are diabolical.
My doorbell rings, and I groan out loud. “What is he sending me now?”
I slide the laptop off my lap and onto the couch before stomping to the door and swinging it open. A box lays at my feet and I glare at it. I’m about to kick it into the hallway and completely ignore the thing, when I notice it’s addressed to Bubbles, The Grump in 2B.
Arching an eyebrow, I hesitantly pick up the box and shake it gently.
Nothing rattles inside. With a sigh, I close my front door and bring my package inside in search of scissors.
Curiosity is killing me. Why would Penn send me something?
Especially after how rude I was to him the other night when he helped me with Chadwick. ..I still feel bad about that.
Maybe it’s not even from him—perhaps, Chadwick just remembered the nickname from the other night and used it to confuse me.
Pulling scissors from a kitchen drawer, I slide them across the tape on the box and a note falls out along with a very nice set of noise-cancelling headphones—the Bluetooth type with the comfortable cushioned ear pieces.
I read the note.
Bubbles,
Sorry for all the noise over the last few months. Hope these help.
-Playboy
I find myself smiling down at the note and instantly school my features. But it is a thoughtful gift, and something I’ll actually use. My old headphones are very glitchy, and I can’t afford a new set right now.
Reaching for the headphones, I open the box and slide them out. They’re the prettiest cream color with gold accents on the buttons. They match my favorite sweater.
The realization that the infuriating hockey player upstairs knows me better than my ex-boyfriend who dated me for a year and has known me most of my life has me frowning. I neutralize my expression once more—Chadwick will not get the satisfaction of giving me frown lines.
I plug the headphones in to charge on the countertop and get settled back on the couch with my laptop. I type maybe five words when my phone rings.
“So many interruptions today,” I mutter to myself. But the annoyance is soon gone when I see it’s Violet calling. Despite her being related to Chadwick, I really like her.
“Hey, Violet,” I say, but then a wave of apprehension moves over me. What if she’s found out I’m no longer with her nephew and now wants me to move out?
“Hazel! It’s so good to hear your voice.” She sounds genuinely happy to talk to me, so I relax. “How’s my baby?”
“Fluffy is doing well,” I answer, shivering at the reminder of the furry arachnid. “She’s eating crickets like a champ.”
“What a doll,” she says with a giggle. “How’s your dissertation coming along?”
“Some days the words flow and others they don’t, but it’s slow and steady. How’s Tokyo?” Jeff’s company is based in Tokyo, but they have a branch in San Francisco as well.
“Amazing!” She sighs contentedly. “I love it here. You and Chadwick have to come visit soon.” Her voice drops to a teasing tone.
“Speaking of my nephew, you must be so excited about today! I mean, it sucks he needs six weeks of physical therapy, but it's so wonderful you’ll get to see him every day.”
I blink, wondering if I misheard her. The phone line remains silent as she waits for me to speak. Her last sentence plays on repeat a few times in my head before an awkward laugh finally bubbles out of me. “Umm, what do you mean see him every day?”
Violet giggles. “Oh you silly goose! You always crack me up with your dry humor.”
I swallow, unsure how to ask more questions without making it obvious Chadwick and I broke up. Because she clearly has no idea.
“Well, I just wanted to check in. Text me if the apartment needs any more supplies or anything. And the weekly cricket delivery should be arriving in a few days for Fluffy.”
“Okay, great,” I say, my voice sounding far away to my own ears as I try to work out what she could mean by seeing Chadwick every day. “Enjoy your adventures.”
“We will. Toodaloo!” Violet hangs up before I can say another word, which is fine because I feel completely numb.
There’s a knock at the door, and my phone drops from my hand to the couch cushion with a soft bounce. Because somehow, my body already knows who it is. The way my flight or fight kicks in, the ache in my chest, the buzz of anxiety humming through my limbs…
I walk towards the door and slowly reach for the knob like the stupid heroine in every horror movie, knowing something horrible is on the other side but opening it anyway because the unanswered questions will drive me crazy.
The moment it swings open, Chadwick pushes through, and I step back because I can’t just slam the door on a man with crutches…as much as I want to.
“How did you get up here?” I ask. When someone’s at the front door of the building, I usually have to buzz them up.
“A delivery guy was leaving the building just as we arrived; he held the door for us.”
Ugh. I shoot my new headphones an accusing glare.
One of Chadwick’s teammates strides in behind him with a duffel bag on his shoulder and a roller suitcase in his hand.
I recognize him but can’t remember his name—every time I made the trip to Sacramento to see Chadwick or watch one of his games, he never seemed too bothered about introducing me to his teammates or friends.
Without so much as a glance at me, the teammate drops Chadwick’s gym bag with a thud and rolls the suitcase to a stop.
“Okay, Weatherby, you need anything else?”
“Nope, I’m good. Thanks, man.”
“See you later. Good luck.” The man exits with a wave and closes the door behind him. Leaving me standing in the kitchen with my cheating ex.
“What are you doing here, Chadwick?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“Well, for one, the apartment belongs to my aunt and uncle, not you. They gave me permission to stay here. And two, the best PT for my injury happens to live in San Francisco, so I’m spending the next several weeks here to work with her.
I figured it's the perfect opportunity for us to work on our relationship, too. I don’t like how you’ve been ignoring me. It hurts, Haze.”
He cannot be serious. “We no longer have a relationship, Chadwick. You cheated on me.”
He rolls his eyes, and I’ve never felt so angry. I want to kick his crutches out from under his arms and watch him fall to the floor. And then, for good measure, let Fluffy out of her cage to eat him alive.
Okay, maybe that’s going a little too far, but Chadwick’s terrified of spiders, so I hope he’d at least pee his pants and humiliate himself.
“And I said I was sorry.” His tone is defensive, and I grit my teeth to keep from lashing out. “I’ll even sleep in the spare bedroom until you come to your senses. I love you, we can fix this. Our families will be devastated if we break up.”
The reminder of how disappointed my family will be when they find out has my stomach plummeting.
Chadwick doesn’t notice he hit a nerve, his gaze moving around the room as he looks at the bouquets scattered all over the apartment. “I see you’re enjoying the flowers.”
“The smell of roses gives me a headache, which is something I’ve told you several times. I just haven’t had time to dispose of them yet.”
He purses his lips. “You’re being ungrateful. You only get to live in this apartment because of my family, need I remind you?”
Oh, now he’s pissing me off. I take a step toward him, tilting my chin up haughtily.
“Are you trying to blackmail me into getting back together with you? Are you so desperate that you need to stoop that low?” I barely recognize myself at this moment, but I like this snarky version of Hazel who stands up for herself.
Usually this side of me only comes out for Playboy.
His nostrils flare, and I can tell that comment got to him. He opens his mouth to speak but then closes it as his gaze lands on something behind me on the kitchen counter. “What’s that?”
Before I can answer, he clomps over on his crutches and reads the note from Penn out loud.
“You can’t be serious, Haze. I thought he was joking the other night about you two dating.” He tuts, then aims his smarmy smile at me. “You’re really lowering your standards if you’re going out with Penn Matthews.”
“Well, he hasn’t cheated on me so far, so I think he’s a huge improvement from my last relationship.” The words fly out of my mouth like venom and Chadwick’s jaw drops.
“Actually, I’m gonna go thank him for the thoughtful gift he sent.” I spin on my heel and stride toward the door, needing to get away from Chadwick. “And when I get back, you better be gone.”
I slam the door behind me, leaving my ex-boyfriend with his jaw gaping open.
The satisfaction of seeing him so shocked wears off slowly as I hop on the elevator and it starts ascending to the third floor.
A minute later, I’m standing in front of Penn’s door and mindlessly knocking, my bravery completely gone.
Why did I come up here? I could’ve just walked down the street to the coffee shop and waited until Chadwick hopefully got the hint and took off. But my legs brought me here…to Playboy’s door.
I close my eyes, and turn back toward the elevator, but the door to 3B opens and the pretty female roommate stands there.
I think she’s dating the broody, quiet hockey player; I always see them together.
Her blonde hair is damp, like she just showered, and she’s wearing leggings and a hoodie that’s way too big for her.
I bet it’s the quiet guy’s hoodie…just like I used to wear Chadwick’s.
“Hey! Hazel, right? From downstairs?” I must look confused that she knows my name, because she immediately clarifies. “Penn told me your name. I’m assuming you’re here to see him? Come on in.” The blonde waves her hand in a gesture for me to enter.
Penn was talking about me?
My legs move of their own volition into the loft apartment, and I look around the industrial space.
Their apartment is way bigger than mine, with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and two hallways that probably lead to the bedrooms. I realize this is the first time I’ve actually been inside and not just out in the hallway demanding that Playboy and his friends be more quiet.
“Have a seat. Penn’s not here yet but he’ll be home soon from practice.”
She’s so unexpectedly, genuinely nice that I listen and take a seat at the large kitchen island.
“I’m Ally,” she says, opening the fridge. “Do you want Coke Zero, or a probiotic soda?”
“Um, a Coke Zero. Please,” I answer, and she grabs one from the fridge and tosses it to me.
Surprisingly, I catch it, and it doesn’t hit me in the face.
She removes another soda and pops it open with a crackle as she comes to sit on the barstool beside me. She tilts her head and studies me for a moment before asking, “Are you okay, Hazel?”
I blow out a breath and shake my head from side to side.
“I don’t even know,” I answer, wondering why I’m still even here.
But for some reason—probably her kindness combined with the fact that I’ve had nobody to talk to since the breakup—the words continue to spill from my mouth, “My cheating ex just showed up to my apartment with enough luggage to stay for a month.”
Her eyes widen. “Yikes. I’m sorry, that sucks. Can’t you just kick him out?”
I groan. “It’s his aunt and uncle’s place; I’m just house sitting. I’m a PhD student; it’s not like I could afford anything this nice on my own.”
Ally frowns, placing a hand on my shoulder.
It’s so comforting that I feel my eyes burn hot with tears.
I sniff, blinking the tears away. How embarrassing, sitting here sniffling in front of a complete stranger—especially one who looks about the same age as my younger brother.
How on earth did my life suddenly become this unrecognizable mess?
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I came up here.”
I stand to leave, but the door bursts open and three large, noisy men stomp inside. I know from experience that from downstairs, the sound of their entrance is like a herd of elephants. I know what time these hockey players exit and enter this place every single day.
The blond hockey player spots me first, and grins at me. “Well, hello, welcome to our loft.” He winks.
The shy one waves before he makes his way over to Ally and places a kiss to her cheek.
And Playboy stares at me with a smirk on his face. “Bubbles. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
I stare at him, wishing I’d manage to make my escape before he came home. “Uh, I wanted to thank you for the headphones.”
He blinks in surprise. “You’re welcome.”
My gaze drops down to his chest, sculpted and broad beneath the thin fabric of his athletic shirt.
His thickly muscled arms are covered in ink, and his legs are as sturdy as tree trunks.
Penn Matthews—as superfluous as he might seem—is an intimidating man.
An intimidating and admittedly good-looking, man who I know my ex-boyfriend can’t stand.
Suddenly, an idea pops into my head, and for the first time in days, I feel like I know exactly what I need to do.
“Can we talk?” I ask Penn. I glance at the others—Ally’s forehead scrunches in concern, her boyfriend seems confused, and the blond guy smiles knowingly, like he thinks I’m the latest in Playboy’s parade of females, here for a bedroom date with him.
Penn’s mouth slowly pulls into another smirk. “Anything for my favorite neighbor.”