Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I think that may have been too honest of a thing to say, but I’ve never been someone who dances around the truth. Sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain, and I don’t think too much about what I’m saying before it’s out. I only hope my tone came off friendly and not… flirty.
Sutton blinks at me, the lighting in her kitchen catching on the gold flecks in her eyes, making them shine brighter.
“You want to spend more time with me?” She asks, her tone dripping with shock and disbelief.
God, I fucking hate that it’s there. I know it’s partially because of how she grew up, but I suspect her ex didn’t help ease those worries, either, given what she’s told me.
I can’t quite contain the scoff that comes out of my mouth. “Absolutely, I do.”
“But… why? I mean, you have the guys on the team, and you’ve always made friends easily.
My gut instinct is to cover with humor, like I always do. Make another joke about how she smells better than them, or it’s nice to have someone who knows how to have a conversation that doesn’t revolve around sex. But the guys aren’t that bad, and I find myself wanting to just be real with her.
“Can I be honest with you?”
Her features soften with concern. “Of course, Ezra. Always.”
“I’m not really close with anyone on the team besides Kendall.”
“But you brought Silas to yoga.”
“Yeah, our friendship beyond practice is a newer development. Some of the guys came over to play video games but we didn’t really…
talk. I think we’re on the right path to becoming friends, but it’s not the same as hanging out with you.
” I scratch the back of my neck, suddenly nervous.
“You’re easy to talk to, and… maybe it’s ridiculous since it’s been over a decade since I last saw you, but I’m comfortable with you.
I know you, and trust you, which makes me want to be around you more. ”
I swallow down the rush of emotion crawling up my throat at the tender, concerned look in her eyes urging me to continue.
“I—I’ve been lonely. Homesick, you know?
I’ve always lived close to my family, and I had a lot of good friends back East, but then I moved here, and really only had Kendall.
I was starting to question if I even belonged here, and then you showed up, and it felt like a sign.
It felt like maybe… Maybe things will be okay, that I can do this.
Does that make sense? Is that too much? Did I ruin our friendship already? ”
A tiny smile pulls at Sutton’s lips as she rounds the counter and gingerly wraps her arms around me, but it feels a little stiff. It’s almost like she’s waiting for me to reject her affection.
I would never.
In fact, when she squeezes me gently and lets go, I want to drag her back and hug her properly. It was too quick for my liking. It’s been far too long since I’ve been hugged for comfort instead of obligation.
Sutton was under no obligation to hug me, and it only confirms what I already suspected: our paths crossing again is a good sign.
When she steps back, the timers from the airfryer and rice cooker go off simultaneously, so she rushes to the oven and pulls out perfectly roasted broccoli.
“You didn’t ruin our friendship,” she calls over her shoulder.
“I hate the thought of you feeling homesick all this time, and questioning whether or not you belong here. Ezra, you’re so insanely talented.
I knew it ten years ago, and it’s cemented now after watching you at practice and the games.
” She slices up the chicken thighs and lays them over the bed of rice and broccoli before drizzling some extra sauce on top.
“And as far as trust goes,” She continues, sliding the plate and fork to me. “I don't think it’s ridiculous. I feel the same way. I think even though we’ve changed in the last decade, because we had trust before, it makes sense it would be easy to fall back into now.”
“You don’t think it’s weird being friends with me without Davis?” I ask.
Sutton rounds the island and takes a seat on the other barstool. “No, I don’t think it’s weird. You and I formed our own friendship when I started dating Davis. He may have been the reason we were introduced, but he’s not the reason our friendship developed.”
“True,” I reply as I take a bite. Holy shit this is good.
I groan as the sweet and tangy sauce dances across my tastebuds.
The crisp broccoli is an excellent contrast to the tender chicken and fluffy rice.
I have to stop myself from shoveling everything in my mouth. “This is really fucking good, Sutt.”
She gives a demure shrug, brushing off my compliment. “It’s nothing big. I just threw things in and let the appliances do their thing.”
“It’s not nothing,” I scoff. “Other people would have overcooked the chicken or undercooked the broccoli, but you made it perfectly.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs. I can tell she wants to argue with me and diminish her efforts, and I feel a zap of pride in her for accepting my compliment.
“So you and Kendall have known each other since college? Isn’t he a few years older than you?”
“Yeah, he’s two years older. We played on the college rugby team together and bonded over our love of the game, our love of video games, and feeling inadequate compared to our successful older brothers.”
A frown forms on Sutton’s face. “What does his brother do?”
“His brother is Morgan Fowler.”
“Should I know who that is?” Her nose scrunches adorably as her head tilts, trying to recall who I’m talking about.
She’s so fucking cute.
“He was the former wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs. Now he owns a flower shop further north.”
“I don’t follow football, so I don’t know who that is. Is… Are his parents like yours? Are they not happy about his rugby career?”
“No, I think they’re the complete opposite of mine.
Kendall said they already have t-shirts with his face on them for when they come to games.
His brother and future sister-in-law might not make it this season, since they just had twins, but I know the rest of his siblings are eager to watch him play.
” I can’t quite hide the bitterness in my tone, which makes me feel like an ass.
Kendall is my best friend, and I don’t hold it against him that my family sucks, but sometimes I can’t help but be jealous at how much support he has.
Sutton squeezes my bicep as she whispers, “I’m sorry, Ezra.”
“It’s okay, I—”
“No, it isn’t. Your family should be singing your praises.
They should be buying tickets to come to your home games, and carrying a Knights flag to wave when you score.
They should be the loudest ones in the stands, cheering you on.
They should never make you feel like your dreams aren’t good enough. ”
The righteous indignation in her voice has my heart doing that weird little flip it only does around her.
“Thanks, Sutt. That means a lot to me.” I clear my throat when it comes out raspier than I intended. “Maybe someday I’ll have someone in the stands.”
“You will. You’ll meet a nice woman who will see how kind, funny, and talented you are.”
“Don’t forget handsome,” I throw an exaggerated wink her way to cover up the reaction her words invoke.
“She’ll attend all your home games, and lose her voice from cheering you on so loud.” She finishes, and I swear she’s looking right into my soul.
I’ll take it to my grave, and deny it until my lungs turn blue, but the first thought that popped into my head when she mentioned another woman was: But she won’t be you.
Fuck.
Things just got significantly more complicated.