Chapter 4
CHLOE
CHLOE
I’m playing a game on my phone, and a knock at the door startles me. I open the door to a large man with two bags in his hands and a cup holder with two Styrofoam cups.
“This is for Mr. King.” He looks me up and down. “Where is he?”
“He’s busy.” I reach out to take the drinks and the two bags. “Thank you. Do you get a tip?”
“No. Enjoy.” He chuckles as I pull the door closed.
I head to the kitchen with the food, set it on the counter, and grab two plates. “Wow, not everyone has Mikasa china for everyday dishes. Ah. The lives of the rich and famous.” I flick my head to the doorway. “Or in your case, the idiotic and the notorious.” I chuckle, placing the food on the plates. There’s a bright yellow tray on the edge of the counter, so I grab it and place the food with a glass of water and silverware. Back into the lion’s den. Tapping on Drew’s door, I wait. No answer. I push through the cracked door and, using the light from the hallway, locate the dresser and set down the tray.
“Drew?” I move to the side of the bed and bend. “Drew?”
Before I can move to escape his grasp, large hands grab me, pulling me onto the bed. Soft lips devour mine, and I moan as my pussy dampens.
I push back. Oh my God. He’s such a man whore. I don’t even like him. My inner hussy nudges. But you’d fuck him. I growl. It’s been too long without sex. “Wake the hell up.”
Drew’s gorgeous blue eyes pop open, and he stares at me lying across him. “Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
I move off the bed and glare. “What the hell was that?” Jumping to my feet, I run my hands down my skirt. “Have you lost your fucking mind? You don’t just kiss somebody, especially me.”
He shrugs with a cringe. “I was dreaming, and then you were there; you can’t blame me.”
“No, of course not. God forbid you’d take responsibility for your actions. I guess Lily’s lucky no woman has accused you of taking without permission.”
“Now wait a minute.” He sits up. “The women I have are always willing.” He stares at me like he’s seeing me naked. “Begging, even.”
“Ha. Whatever. I have your food.” I get the tray as my phone buzzes. God, I hope that’s Lily with good news. I set the tray next to him on the nightstand. “I’d offer you something else to drink, but neither alcohol nor orange juice seems appropriate.” Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I grin. There’s a text from my friend Kylie with a thumbs up. Mia must’ve let her know what’s going on. All my friends are going to want to know the details. I sigh. “Just so you know, I have groceries coming. Who lives on sauces and booze?”
He rips off a piece of naan bread and moans in pleasure.
I wonder if he sounds like that… Oh, God. Stop it.
He devours the bread, dipping it into the tiki masala. He mumbles with a full mouth. “I love Indian food. And you got my favorites. Thanks.” His eyes ping open. “Why did you bother with groceries?”
“You can’t eat constant take out.”
“Sure, I can. It’s off season.”
“You should still eat better, especially with your concussion. Fruits, vegetables, soup, they’ll all be easy to eat and quick for whomever is going to look after you.”
He stuffs his face, mumbling. “I don’t need someone here.”
“Not my decision. Your agent sent me to you. Feel free to argue with Lily. I’d love to watch her cut your balls off.”
His brow peaks. “What does that mean?”
“She’s tired of your antics. You’re lucky you didn’t get arrested for that bar room debacle earlier. What is it with you and fighting? Don’t you get enough physical activity?”
He smirks. “Are you volunteering to help me out with that?”
He didn’t just say that. OMG! “I can’t believe you’d say that. No. After you recuperate from your concussion, you can call one of your ball bunnies to help you out.”
Drew chuckles. “Ball bunny? Isn’t that a derogatory term for a woman?”
I scoff. “I’m pretty damn sure they’ve been called much worse by you and your buddies.”
His face falls. “You don’t have a high opinion of me.”
“Duh. What have you done off the field to impress anyone? You fight, sleep around, say stupid shit, wreck cars, and embarrass yourself, your agent, your family, and your team.”
He runs his hand over his shaggy brown hair and winces. “Don’t hold anything back.”
I blow out a big breath. “Give me a head’s up when you need to go to the bathroom, and I’ll help you. I’m going to go get the groceries. They should be here any minute.”
He reaches for the landline on the bedside stand. “Hey. This is King. I’ve got groceries coming. Can someone bring them up? Thanks.”
I grit my teeth. “You are so entitled. No wonder you won’t grow up.”
I walk to the foyer to wait for the guy to bring up his groceries. My head moves to the clock. It’s almost four. When is she going to call with an update? I dial Lily. “Hey.”
“Hi. I’m so sorry, Chloe. I can’t get anyone there until Sunday.”
“Now wait. I said I’d help today and into tomorrow. I can’t stay here with him the whole weekend.” My stomach flips on the ‘him’. “There has to be someone?”
“Everybody is either busy or sick. I don’t have anyone else, and with the holiday, I can’t find a nurse to come in either.”
“Lily.” I blow out a huge breath. “I have to pick up Freya on Sunday morning. So, you need someone here before then.”
Her voice softens. “You’re the best employee. Thank you. I’ll get back to you when I find out who’s going to come in on Sunday.”
“Yeah. Okay. You’re going to owe me. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I know this is a lot. I will owe you a spa day. Bye.”
I put the phone in my pocket and stare at the door. If he were my client, I’d dump him. I snicker at an image of Drew standing before me looking sad as I pronounce judgment. I’m so glad I have a girl and not a boy. I can’t imagine having a son that immature and irresponsible. A knock at the door cuts off my internal bitching. I open the door and the same guy appears with bags hanging on his fingers.
“I can bring these in?” He strolls by to the kitchen, like he’s spent time here.
“I really appreciate you bringing up the groceries.”
“Hey, my pleasure. Tell King I hope he feels better.” He’s trying to hold in a huge grin.
My jaw drops. “What have you heard?” Shit, I hope this hasn’t gone viral.
“Heard? It’s on video.” His eyes twinkle like he’s uncovered a magnificent secret.
I close my eyes and take a breath. “May I see it?”
“Have you been under a rock?” He looks down the hall to the master bedroom and back at me. “Sure.” He takes out his phone. “What’s your number? I’ll text you the link.”
I rattle off the number, and he turns his hand so I can see the video on his phone. “Oh, crap. That’s bad” He cringes, and I’m overwhelmed by his deep, dark, sympathetic eyes. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He flicks his head. “I’ll let myself out. Have a good evening.”
“Thank you.”
My eyes scan down my body, and I realize I should have talked to Lily about clothes. “Crap, I need to get clothes.”
Drew’s voice startles me. “You can borrow some of mine.”
My hand goes to my chest at the startle. “What?”
“I heard you talking to Lily. I’d say you don’t have to stay, but you’re one of those people who honors your commitments, so I won’t bother.”
My brow wrinkles. That was a compliment. “Thanks. I’d appreciate a t-shirt.”
“Sure.”
“You shouldn’t be standing around.” I move to him and take his arm. “Let’s walk you back to your bed.”
He chuckles. “You are so interested in getting me into bed.”
“In your dreams.”
His face offers a curious look, and the corner of his mouth raises. “Thanks for being here and everything.”
“You’re welcome. What kind of Mustang fan would I be if I left you out in the scorching sun while you’re injured.”
“Nice to know you’re a fan.”
I purse my lips while I point my pink painted nail at his chest. My inner self scolds. You know you’re a fan of his football skills. He’s gorgeous, and he can be nice. I will my inner hussy to stand down. “I’m a fan of the Mustangs. You, not so much. Lily calling you ‘Andy’ didn’t register that it could be you.” I move my hand to my hip. “Why does she call you Andy? I thought your name was Drew.”
“My name is Andrew Nathan King. My mom is the only one who called me Andy, and Lily feels like she’s always parenting me, so she calls me Andy.” A sadness creeps onto his face. “My mom died a few years ago and I’ve struggled with her loss. It makes me angry.”
I nod, while slipping my shoulder under his arm. Ding, ding, ding, that explains a lot about his issues. His mom was always the biggest cheerleader in the stands when he played.
He groans as he walks. “Do you need to do something for your daughter while you’re here?”
“She’s at a weekend sleepover at the Campbell Ranch. I’ll get her on Sunday or have Kylie drop her off when she brings home her boys.”
“I like Kylie. She and Cameron have been great since I moved in. That’s how I met Mia and the other Campbells.”
Chloe smiles. “Yeah. She’s a good friend. I met her and Mia through Lily.” They step into the room. “Do you need to pee or anything?”
He ducks his head. “I already did.”
I sigh, swinging my head. “Drew.” Damn it. All I need is for him to fall and hurt himself more.
“Hey. I’m doing okay. This isn’t the worst injury I’ve had. And usually there isn’t anyone to help me out.”
That’s so sad. “None of the women you’re banging stay over?” I hold up my hand. “Wait. That is none of my business. You may be capable of taking care of yourself, but you are my responsibility until someone else takes over. Please wait for me to help you from now on.” I give him the scoldy-mom expression, and he nods. “Why don’t you lie back down?”
Drew points to the large dresser by the door. “You can grab a t-shirt out of the top drawer. The next drawer has drawstring shorts that will be a little big.”
I walk to his dresser and select some clothes. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Please make yourself at home.”
“Thank you. Rest well.” I step out of his room, cracking the door again, and head to the hall bathroom to change. I come out and go to the kitchen to put away the food and clean up after our meal. The kitchen sparkles, and I remember the video. Clicking on it, I see Drew was just sitting there as the guy swings his beefy fist, hitting Drew’s jaw. Drew drops below his seat. Ouch. I flick up my head at the doorway and then back at the video. Drew gets up and punches the guy in the nose. Blood spurts everywhere, and once again, the guy knocks Drew onto the floor. No wonder he bruised the ribs and his face. I wonder if that guy is an ex-player. I forward the video to Lily. A noise catches my attention, and I realize it’s the ice machine cranking to dump ice. I place my phone in the shorts pocket. Let’s see what I can find to watch to kill time before I have to go to bed. I walk into the small study next to the kitchen and grab the remote. Curling my body on the end of the loveseat, I get comfortable to scroll his movie menu. Well, at least he’s got all the paid movie channels.