Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
The plane ride back to Utah was smoother than the ride there, but Sutton seemed… off. The anxiety rolling off of her was different from our flight out. The whole time, I wanted to ask her what was wrong.
We didn’t talk at all on the way home. I hated it.
I was still sulking from our loss, so it’s probably partially my fault, but she had her headphones on the majority of the time, and when we got off the plane, she practically sprinted out the gate to her car. By the time I caught up to her, she was already driving off.
I wish I had her number so I could text her and check in. I make a mental note to ask her for it next time I get the chance, but only if Kendall isn’t around because I know he’ll see it as confirmation that I’m interested in her.
He spent all Saturday night teasing me about Sutton, even though I insisted over and over that there’s nothing going on. She works for the team and she’s my brother’s ex. Two very good reasons why nothing can ever happen between us.
Not that I want anything to happen.
I’m still firmly in the zone of wanting to be friends, but the connection I always felt with her when I was playing rugby in high school was just as strong yesterday before the game, and I didn’t realize how much having her there would mean.
It was everything.
Seeing her encouraging smile before the coin toss settled some of my nerves, and her assurance after the game that I played well helped ease the burden of the loss, even if it was just a fraction.
Logically, I know it’s not solely on me to win the game, but emotionally, I’ve always felt the losses deeply.
Rugby is a team sport, and considering it was our first official game, I’d say our team did extraordinarily well, but all I could think about Saturday night and last night were all the things I could have done better.
Could I have tackled someone sooner?
Could I have caught the ball split second faster or dodged someone better?
Did I miss a signal from the other team and move too late?
Spiraling and replaying the game isn’t going to do anything, but I can’t stop.
I’m sure Grant and Coach will go over everything tomorrow and let us know where we need to improve.
I want to take my day off and push thoughts of the game out of my head, but the problem is, Kendall isn’t here, so I’m alone and it’s too quiet.
That means my brain runs a mile a minute with thoughts, and then I start to overthink everything. I’ve already deep cleaned all the common areas of the apartment and my bedroom, and completed all the laundry that was piled in my basket.
For a split second, I consider downloading a dating app just for something to do. The jab Kendall made about me not knowing how to kiss anymore has been pricking my skin since he said it, and I want to prove him wrong.
The only issue is, I’m not interested in casual sex. Sure, physical intimacy would be nice, but I want more. I want to stay in and watch a movie, maybe play a board game, or go to dinner with someone.
I haven’t felt this lonely in a while.
I could call Kendall and ask him when he’ll be back, but I bet he’s already at his brother’s house, snuggling his nieces, which means he won’t be sleeping here tonight.
Shoving my feet into some slides I grab my keys and phone and head towards the elevator to see if Webby wants to hang out.
Soft music echoes under the door of the apartment next to mine, I pause, thinking back to if I’ve met my neighbor, but I know I haven’t because I was under the impression the apartment was empty.
I hesitate just outside their door, my fist raised and ready to knock, but decide against it at the last minute. I should have some cookies or something when I introduce myself, especially if it’s one of the higher-ups. Gotta make a good first impression as their neighbor.
As I ride the elevator down one floor, I start to second guess my plan. Is it weird to ask Webby to hang out in person? Should I have just texted him? We’re closer than any of the other guys, but not as close as me and Kendall. What if he doesn’t want to hang out?
God, I sound like an elementary school kid.
My palms sweat as I walk to his door, startling when the door next to Webby’s opens and Mackey’s hulking frame appears in the doorway.
The scowl on his face used to be intimidating, but over the past six months, I’ve learned that’s just how he is. He’s a serious guy, and I’ve never really seen him smile. It’s like his face is fixed in a permanent frown.
He gives me a curt nod. “Z.”
“Hey, Mackey. Off to anywhere fun?”
“Nope.” His eyes dart from me to Webby’s door, then down the hallway in the opposite direction as he shifts from one foot to the other.
“Do you like video games?” I blurt out.
It must peak his interest because he crosses his arms and leans up against the wall. “What kind of video games?”
“Uh, well, I have a bunch of different ones. Call of Duty, Elden Ring, Halo, Risk of Rain 2, Baulder’s Gate... If, you know, you ever want to play?”
Fuck, why is this so weird? Why can’t making friends be as easy as it was when I was six?
“Sure. You’re in apartment 402, yeah?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll stop by when I’m back. See you later, Z.”
“Awesome. See you around.”
Well, that’s one way to make friends I guess.
Invigorated and encouraged by the interaction, I knock on Webby’s door. It swings open, and I see a flash of red hair. “Hey, I—wait. You’re not Webby.”
The woman in front of me is short. Probably only five feet, with long, bright red hair and a smile so wide, the corners of her eyes crinkle.
“No, I’m not. Si! Get out here, someone’s here for you!” She yells into the apartment before turning back to me. “I assume you’re one of his teammates?”
I nod, still trying to process what’s happening because I didn’t know Webby had a girlfriend. “Come on in, I’ll go see what’s taking him so long.”
“I—sorry if I’m interrupting. I didn’t realize he had company tonight.”
Her nose crinkles, disgust painting her features before she bursts out laughing. “Ew. No, I’m Isla.” At my still confused look, she elaborates, “Silas’s sister.”
“Oh, shit. My bad, I just assumed.” Now that she’s said it, I can see the resemblance. They have the same nose, same fiery hair color, and same vertical challenges, though her brother is still probably a good eight inches taller than her.
A lightbulb goes off in my brain. This is isla_livinglife!
I watch her makeup tutorial and fashion videos all the time on social media.
Those kinds of things aren’t usually what I’m drawn to, but I love her vibe so they’ve become a guilty pleasure.
What are the chances she’s Webby’s sister?
I realize I’ve been staring and shake my head, “I’m Ezra. ”
“Nice to meet you, Ezra. And don’t worry, it’s not your fault. I assumed he’d told people I was here, but evidently, I was wrong.”
“Isla, who the hell are you talking—” Webby comes into the living room, looking between Isla and me with confusion. “Oh, hey Z. What’s up?”
“I was just introducing myself to your teammate, since apparently you’re not going to. Have you really not told anyone I live with you?”
“Mackey knows.” Webby deadpans.
“Corbin’s our neighbor. Of course he knows.” Isla rolls her eyes.
“Coach knows, too. And Melanie and Mr. Solomon!”
“Well, apparently no one else does. You embarrassed of me, Si?”
“No! You just—”
“I’m kidding, big brother. Chill out. I’ll meet everyone at your game in two weeks anyway. I have to get back to editing a video, so I’ll let you two chat. Bye, Ezra! Nice to meet you!”
“You too,” I call after her as she retreats, leaving Webby and me in awkward silence.
“Uh,” he clears his throat, “What’s up?”
“Wondered if you wanted to come play video games?”
“Sure.” He shrugs.
Why do I feel like fist pumping the air? Maybe making friends is easier than I thought.
On our way back to my apartment he asks, “Do you have Risk of Rain 2?”
“I do.”
I sent Kendall a text when we got back to the apartment, letting him know Webby was here in case he came home. He didn’t respond, but I don’t take it personally because I know Sundays are usually family time for him.
Somehow, Mackey got my number, and he texted me and asked if Cap could come over too.
The four of us have been playing Risk of Rain 2 for the past two hours.
It started off kind of awkward, with all of us silently playing, but the tension eased when Webby made a joke at the end of our first run about dying before Mithrix entered his second phase, and we all burst out laughing.
Our second run is going much better than the first, and we’ve all been chatting aimlessly the whole time.
I’ve never spoken with Cap outside of practice, and while his intensity is less severe off the pitch, he’s still got an air of seriousness about him. His focus is solely on the game, his thumbs moving quickly across the controls during battles.
I don’t know much about our captain other than he’s one of the older players on the team, he’s married, and has no kids. I know he’s got some tendonitis in his shoulder that sometimes makes it difficult for him to play, but other than surface level stuff, I don’t know much about him.
Same goes for Mackey. I know he’s a great blindside flanker and takes his job seriously, but I don’t know where he’s from, if he’s dating anyone, or even how old he is.
I know Webby is from California, is apparently single, and has a penchant for breaking his nose.
I die in the same place Webby did on our first run, which ends up being perfect timing because someone rings my doorbell. When I open it, Kendall’s standing there, his hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing here?”
“I live here, remember?”
“Where’s your key?”
“I left it at my parents and didn’t want to go back and get it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”
“Dude, what’s with the twenty questions?”
“I just wasn’t expecting you.”
“You texted me to ask if I wanted to play.” He playfully punches me in the arm before shoving his way inside.
“Yeah, but you never responded. I assumed you were with your family.”
“My brother and his fiancée are sick and needed some help so my parents cancelled family dinner, and I could use some low stress fun. Looks like you’re having a party. Hey, Cap. Mackey, Webby.”
“Hey.” They all say at the same time.
Kendall toes off his shoes and takes a seat on the couch next to Mackey, making himself at home. “How’s the wife, Cap?”
Cap doesn’t take his eyes off the screen as he mutters, “She’s fine.”
“Damn right she is,” Kendall murmurs.
Cap doesn’t even look away from the screen, “Don’t talk about my wife, Fowler, or I’ll have you benched next game.”
Kendall mimes zipping his lips and turns to our other teammates, “Mackey, Webby, any lucky ladies in your life? Or men? I don’t judge.”
“Dude, what are you doing?” I ask.
“I’m just trying to get to know my teammates.” Kendall holds his hands up in innocence. “I like to know what the relationship status of my friends is, so I can assist if needed. I’m excellent at giving relationship advice.”
“Right. Which is why you’re currently single,” Webby snorts.
“Hey, I’m choosing to be single. I could be in a serious relationship if I wanted to, but that would be doing a disservice to the ladies. I need to give as many women as possible the opportunity to take a ride on the Ken Doll Express before I even think about settling down.”
“I look forward to the day a woman turns your world upside down,” Mackey grumbles.
“Not gonna happen anytime soon. Anyway, speaking of women, I didn’t realize the hot new Athletic Trainer was our neighbor, Z.”
I’m so surprised by the news, I die immediately, not even a minute into the third run. “Sutton? How do you know?”
“We rode the elevator together, and I helped her take her groceries inside. You didn’t know?”
Why am I feeling jealous that Kendall was in her apartment? He was just helping her take in some groceries. It’s not like they were doing anything scandalous.
“No, I thought the apartment was empty until today,” I admit. Now I really feel like an ass. Sutton’s been on the other side of the wall this entire time? If I’d known, I would have gone over to check on her.
Kendall’s face splits in a wide grin. “What an interesting development. Almost… kismet, us living next door to each other.”
Webby pauses the game and then everyone’s eyes are on me.
“Are you and Sutton seeing each other?” Cap asks Kendall, sounding like a disappointed father.
“Not yet.”
“Not ever,” I correct.
“Are you?” Cap asks me.
“What? No!”
“But he wishes,” Kendall interjects unhelpfully.
“I do not. We’re just friends. That’s all.”
“Friends don’t look at friends like they want to kiss them,” Kendall sings, and I punch him in the arm.
“Ow. What the hell?” He rubs his arm, glaring at me.
I spend the rest of the night trying to convince everyone that I’m not interested in Sutton as anything more than a friend, and I don’t think they believe me.