1. Chapter 1 #2
Pablo didn't make it to the big leagues.
He's off in Canada now, after playing in the CFL for a couple of years, and then transitioning to coaching special teams for his team.
When he left, I promised I'd keep an eye on Ames.
I have— sometimes more than I should have.
Yet she shows up unannounced to my condo, and stands in front of me crying.
We face each other in the middle of the room.
The walls are the most subtle vanilla cream color, to complement the off-white of the bedding, the warm wood tones of the furniture, and the rust-colored blanket and cushions on the king-sized bed.
It has its own bathroom, too. It's well kept even if no one has ever used it before.
She stares at me and bites her lip, not telling me anything. My watch vibrates again. I should be out of the shower now.
"Fuck. Sorry." I silence my alarm. "I have training but— forget it. I'll pretend I got food poisoning."
Coach will kill me for it. I'll get an epic talk-to for the ages. A fine isn't out of the question, either, but I couldn't care less at the moment. I can't stand seeing Ames like this. I can't leave now.
I tap at my boxers like they've suddenly grown pockets and my phone hides in one of them.
"I just need to call them— never mind." I shake my head. "Are you okay?"
"No, Saint. I should be apologizing. I know it's a big season for you guys. Everything's gone wrong today. I can't be responsible for getting you in trouble, too."
"Ames. I can't leave you like this."
"Please. Go. Don't worry about me." She lifts her hands like there's nothing to worry about. Nothing to see here , they tell me. "I shouldn't have shown up like this, only that I don't think my friend Jo can't take me in and I just… I'm crashing hard. I need a nap. Can we talk later?"
I hesitate.
"Please," she says. "I'll be fine. I don't mean to get in the way of your life."
"Are you sure? Do you want me to call…"
I don't know what stops me. Maybe it's the way her brow pulls up at the center, like there's a pain she can't face yet, but I don't mention Aidan, her long-term boyfriend.
"... Someone?" I finally say.
Tears fill her eyes, but she squeezes them shut and wipes the one tear that falls with force. Anger cloaks anything else she might be feeling.
It stabs me. Right in the breastbone.
She shakes her head again. "A nap will help."
My heart aches for her already. Not with the angst of my old unreciprocated feelings, but out of worry for whatever happened to her.
"Are you okay?" I ask again. "Will you be okay? Who’s ass do I need to kick? I'll sic the whole team on them."
She snorts. "Aidan."
She only needs to say the name for my whole system to match her anger. That knife in my breastbone— it twists.
My watch vibrates again.
"Shit," I mutter and I stop the alarm.
"Go," she insists. "I'll be okay."
"Nope. Can I get you water, maybe? "
"No, please. Really. You can go."
"You can sleep. I will stay right outside…" I make a vague gesture behind me toward the living room.
"I won't be able to sleep if you're out there. I know you're supposed to be in training. Don't let me get you in trouble."
I suck my bottom lip and search her eyes for a couple of beats.
I sigh. "Fine, but I'll call you later. I'll check in on you after work. You can—"
Who did I know that wouldn't be busy with training?
Evie. She is a Senior PR exec for the team, our quarterback's girlfriend, and a personal friend. As far as I know, Evie and Ames have mostly interacted professionally, and only occasionally met in social situations, but I know Evie will help.
"I'll give you Evie's number in case you need anything," I add.
"Thank you, Saint. It means so much to me."
"Of course. There's food in the fridge and you're welcome to snoop around for anything you need."
She nods. I turn to leave, but she stops me.
"Did I see that right?" she asks. "Did a beautiful someone go into the elevator with a pie?"
I study her. Anger still tightens her lips, and her shoulders remain weighted down by her sadness, but she's masking it well. A hint of humor brightens her eyes.
"Rebecca," I explain. "I told her we're over."
"She got the Bake and Bye treatment, then."
I raise an eyebrow. "Bake and Bye?"
"It's the breakup pies striking again. That's what Pablo calls them."
I snort. "You know me. Short flings only."
"Thank you for letting me stay," she says again in a small voice.
I hesitate one last time. I'm torn. I want to touch her somehow. A simple caress on her face, or a hand on her shoulder— anything that may be comforting to her. To us.
I shake my head. "Of course. We'll talk later. Rest, okay?"
I close her door, run to my closet, and grab the first set of joggers and hoodie I can find.
Jesus.
I dictate a text to Evie.
Saint : Super big major favor. Ames is at my place. Something to do with Aidan. That's all I know. Can I give her your number in case she needs anything? I can't have my phone with me while in training. Please??
Just as I grab my bag on the way out, I get Evie's response.
Evie : Sure, give her my personal number, but I'll have to interrogate you about this!! Be ready, Gael Santiago!
I leave her number on the kitchen island with a note.
My lungs seem to have grown ragged edges, and I rub my chest on the way down to the elevator. As soon as I am in my car, a feminine, slightly robotic voice announces I have an unread text from Pablo.
Pablo : Ames broke up with Aidan. It was ugly. She has nowhere else to go. She's on her way. Can you let her stay with you for a bit? Only until she gets her feet back under her. I owe you big time.
The text arrived forty five minutes ago. If I had seen it, things would have made a lot more sense.
The jagged edges in my chest roughen up, making it hard to breathe for a second, two.
It wasn't just a big fight. Ames is single—
And probably heartbroken, you asshole.
It's not the time to think about what it means for that old spark I had to trample away.
I dictate a text back at the first red light.
Saint : She can stay as long as she needs. You don't owe me a thing.
And neither does she.