Chapter 1
ALEXIS
Super Bowl Sunday falls just two weeks into living with Brody. And we're headed to a party hosted by one of his coworkers—or rather, her boyfriend. Apparently, they throw fantastic gatherings; Brody insists they're amazing.
He has mentioned a few times how he enjoys showcasing me, especially in front of his coworkers.
I don't mind being his arm candy for the occasion, especially since it’s really the first social event I’ve been to with him, outside of work.
I'm well aware of my attractiveness; the constant catcalls and unwanted advances from strangers serve as a reminder if I were to forget.
I had hoped wearing my engagement ring would fend off some of the attention, but it seems to have little effect.
For the party, I slip into a pair of cute jeans, strategically ripped at the thighs, and team them with a stylish Baltimore Ravens shirt.
The shirt nonchalantly drapes off one shoulder, revealing peek-a-boo slits on the sides and back, adding just the right amount of allure.
Underneath, a lacy purple bralette peeks out, adding a hint of flirtation to the ensemble.
With my hometown team making it to the Super Bowl this year, I'm prepared to represent as possibly the lone true Ravens fan at a party in Denver. Fortunately and obviously, the Broncos aren't playing, so I doubt it'll lead to any major issues.
I treated myself to a salon visit, indulging in long, coffin-shaped nails painted in a vibrant purple hue with intricate black designs. A matching purple pedicure completes the look, even if it means braving the snow-covered ground in cute, strappy black sandals to showcase my freshly done toes.
My makeup is relatively natural, with just a touch of dark purple eyeliner on my upper lids, perfectly aligning with the Ravens theme and subtly enhancing my blue eyes. I leave my long, cinnamon-colored hair cascading down in soft waves, and I keep a hair tie on my wrist just in case.
To accessorize, I wear dangle diamond earrings, a glitzy band on my smartwatch, and, of course, my engagement ring. Stepping out of the bedroom to meet Brody, his gaze sweeps over me like a predator assessing its prey, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine.
"That'll do, babe," he murmurs, letting out a low whistle.
Returning his smile, I take in Brody's undeniable attractiveness. His tall, athletic physique likely garners as much attention from women as I do from men. He epitomizes tall, dark, and handsome.
Dressed in a simple yet striking ensemble—a dark black, tight, long-sleeve henley paired with dark jeans—he exudes quiet confidence. His defined muscles accentuate his rugged appeal, making him utterly irresistible.
I have a little social anxiety. Over the years, I’ve learned that women don’t generally take to me well at first, or maybe it’s me who doesn’t take well to them. It feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy now—expecting this issue only makes it come true.
“So, remind me again, whose party is this?" I inquire as I open the door to his sleek silver sports car.
"It's my coworker Ellie's boyfriend's house.
His name is Holden, and he shares it with four roommates.
They've all lived together for ages, and it's a really nice, spacious place.
I'm not sure if one of them is wealthy or if they manage because they split the expenses five ways, but they throw a lot of parties and always provide plenty of alcohol," Brody explains with a laugh, reaching over the console to grasp my hand.
"How many parties have you been to before?" I ask.
"I went to their Halloween party and a couple random birthday parties. Ellie mentioned their New Year's bash was spectacular, but I was with you in Maryland at the time." He smiles, lifting my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.
"Okay, sounds like it should be fun," I reply.
Pulling up to the house, the door is wide open on this cold February Sunday, signaling it's a come-and-go-as-you-please affair.
The exterior appears spacious, but the feeling of vastness intensifies dramatically once we step inside.
The sheer number of people overwhelms and almost immediately overstimulates me; there must be at least fifty visible from the front door alone.
Brody's hand rests on the small of my back, offering either comfort or protection; I'm not entirely sure which.
The gender ratio is noticeably skewed, with far more men than women present.
The air buzzes with conversation and laughter, but I can't shake the uneasy feeling settling in my chest. I glance around, trying to find at least a corner where I can catch my breath if I need to.
"Brody!" a woman's excited, high-pitched voice rings out from our left. She rushes over, her blonde hair bouncing as she sports short shorts and a Broncos tank top. With both hands on Brody's cheeks, she plants a kiss on his cheek before turning to me.
"You must be Alexis. I've heard so much about you," she chirps. "I'm Ellie. I'm glad you could make it."
Her words seem harmless enough, but her actions undeniably cross a line for me. I make a conscious decision to bring this up with Brody later, not wanting to make a scene now. I offer her a polite smile and possessively intertwine my fingers with his.
Ellie's voice attracts the attention of others as a couple of men join her. One of them possessively pulls her close, wrapping an arm around her waist, causing a subtle tension in the atmosphere.
"Brody," the man with his arm around Ellie greets, nodding at my fiancé.
"Hey, Holden," Brody responds, "this is Alexis, my fiancée." Three sets of eyes turn to me, and I offer a warm smile.
"Holden," he introduces himself, extending his right hand to me, his left hand still secured around Ellie; I shake it without hesitation.
Holden is undeniably attractive and tall, standing easily at six feet with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His clean-shaven face features sharp cheekbones, and he's dressed in a black T-shirt emblazoned with a brewery logo, paired with dark jeans.
The other man standing to Holden's left is equally striking.
With dark hair and impeccably groomed facial hair, he exudes an air of confidence without cockiness.
Slightly shorter than Holden, he possesses chocolate brown eyes and an infectious smile.
His attire consists of a green polo shirt paired with worn jeans.
"Ethan," he introduces himself, extending his hand as well. I shake it, and he charismatically adds, "Are you truly a Ravens fan or jumping on the Super Bowl bandwagon?"
"Maryland native, born and raised," I answer with a smile. "I only moved here a few weeks ago, actually."
"Well, you'll probably want to actually watch the game then and not just do shots with Brody and me," Ellie interjects with a giggle.
Instantly, Holden's brow knits as he seems uncomfortable, and as the air grows thick around me, I'm not particularly pleased with the interaction either.
"Ellie," Holden shakes his head. "Maybe you should drink some water and grab some appetizers." He gently takes her wrist, preparing to lead her away. Then, almost as an afterthought, he adds, "It was nice meeting you, Alexis."
"She's already had a few shots," Ethan chimes in. Laughing, he continues, "Brody, I know you've been here before, but Alexis, whatever you need, feel free to ask."
As Ethan gestures around the house, pointing out key areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and prime spots for catching the game, I can't help but be drawn to his charm.
There's an undeniable magnetism about him, the kind that could captivate anyone's attention.
In a different universe, under different circumstances, he might be exactly the type of guy I'd be interested in.
"Enjoy yourselves," he adds before walking away.
The foyer exudes grandeur, offering glimpses into other rooms beyond. To the left, a cozy dinette area beckons with an archway leading to the spacious kitchen, though I can only catch a glimpse of its seemingly impressive layout.
Directly ahead, a grand staircase commands attention, while an opening to the left of the stairs appears to lead through a sitting room to a sliding glass door, likely opening to the patio area.
To the right, a large living room awaits, featuring the largest television I've ever seen in a house, broadcasting the pre-game show.
Brody's hand shifts to wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. "Come on, let's see what we've got for food and drinks, and then we'll find a spot to watch the game," he suggests.
Planting a soft kiss on my temple, he laces his fingers with mine and guides me to the kitchen.
I'm slightly awestruck; the expansive kitchen island is laden with an array of liquors, juices, and soda mixers, accompanied by the ubiquitous red solo cups in both regular and shot sizes.
A fridge labeled "Beer and Water Fridge" is constantly being raided for bottles and cans.
Across the kitchen, a giant Sub-Zero fridge presumably houses their household food.
Taking in the scene, I'm struck by the seamless blend of casual comfort and refined elegance.
The dining room, just beyond the kitchen, exudes a similar atmosphere.
A grand stone-slab, gray table, surrounded by wooden chairs and adorned with an assortment of delectable appetizers and desserts, dominates the space, offering ample seating for a large gathering.
Along the far wall, the back of the house, expansive windows flood the room with natural light, while to the right, the grand staircase is definitely grand.
To the left, a spacious area boasts a china cabinet and additional seating, creating an inviting, potentially intimate space for mingling and conversation.
Brody and I navigate through the bustling crowd, helping ourselves to drinks and appetizers along the way. Beyond the dining room, we discover a sitting room adorned with the continuing wall of windows and sliding glass doors leading to a patio where others are engaged in conversation.
"They even have a television out on the patio," Brody mentions. "It's a bit chilly, but it looks like they've got a couple of fire pits going, too."
"Definitely a spacious place," I remark with a chuckle as we make our way back toward the main room to catch the game.
With most people standing and socializing, there are plenty of seating options available. I settle at the end of a couch, tucking my legs beneath me and balancing my plate on the armrest. Brody joins me, resting his hand on my thigh.
Just before the game kicks off, another couple approaches us. "Brody, hey, man," the man greets, "this must be the beautiful Alexis."
Brody nods in confirmation and proceeds to introduce me, "Yes, Alexis, this is Jeremiah and his girlfriend, Carrie. Jeremiah lives here along with Holden and Ethan."
"And Shawn and Carter," Carrie interjects with a laugh, teasingly glancing at me. "They tend to get a bit miffed if you forget one of them."
I smile and laugh along. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."
My eyes scan up Jeremiah's tall form. With his dark blonde, almost red hair, hazel eyes, and a well-groomed short beard, he is as attractive as his other two roommates I met earlier.
Carrie exudes beauty, her light blonde, curly hair cascading around her shoulders, complemented by piercing light blue eyes.
She stands a little shorter than me but possesses an enviable figure, clad in jeans and a fitted Broncos shirt.
Jeremiah is wearing a long-sleeve gray henley paired with khaki pants.
Much like on Brody, the henley does a perfect job of accentuating his clearly muscular physique underneath.
His presence is commanding yet approachable, a combination that makes it hard to look away.
"Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything," Jeremiah offers before guiding Carrie away.
"They seem like nice people," I comment to Brody.
"Yeah, everyone here seems pretty decent, honestly," he agrees, taking a sip of his drink.