Rebound

45. Roman

FORTY-FIVE

ROMAN

My apartment feels strange without Lavinia here. Her scent lingers in my room and on my bed, even though she’s not here and she hasn’t been here for the past two weeks. She’s in New York filming for a brand deal. It’s for a beauty brand and Lavinia has been ecstatic.

While she was still playing, her branding was all about how women can be strong and still be beautiful. One is not different from the other.

I’m so fucking proud of her and at the same time, I miss her. We’ve been texting each other back and forth the whole time and I’m ready for her to come home.

February 2

Blossom

No offense, but I think I saw the hottest man walk past me.

Roman

How’s that possible? I haven’t left Boston.

Blossom

How can you be jealous of a man you haven’t even seen?

In response to that, I sent a picture of my left hand with my ring proudly on display.

February 3

Blossom

Three more days.

Roman

Feels like forever. Is this how you felt when I was gone for my away games?

Blossom

Well, yes and no. I do miss sex, though.

Roman

Baby, if you want to watch me jerk off then you need to video call me.

Blossom

Tempting, but Jules and I are literally out for dinner, and it’d be a little awkward watching my husband pleasure himself while we’re eating.

Roman

Next time.

February 4

Roman

Two more days.

Blossom

I like how we’re counting down the days until we see each other again.

Roman

What else is there to do when your wife is literally millions of miles away.

Blossom

Gosh, how dramatic. I’m in New York. It’s like four hours away by car and less than two by plane.

Roman

You might as well be on Mars given the fact that we don’t see each for two more days.

Blossom

Do you miss me?

Roman

I’m going out of my mind with how much I miss you.

Blossom

God, I’m good.

Roman

How was your shoot? Were they all mesmerized by you?

Blossom

They love me and don’t want to let me go.

Roman

Tell them to fuck off. You’re mine.

Blossom

How are you so charming?

Roman

It’s raw talent, baby.

February 5

Roman

Tomorrow. Fucking finally.

Blossom

Good to know you’re taking our separation lightly. By the way, what’s with the beard?

Roman

I think it adds character. Plus, I’m depressed you’re not here and I’m reacting appropriately.

Blossom

Have you done anything productive while I’ve been away?

Roman

What do you mean? I’ve been playing every night.

Blossom

Other than your job.

Roman

Oh, hell no. I’ve been hugging the cats and counting down the seconds until you return.

Blossom

If I look up the word simp in the dictionary, am I going to find your photo next to it? I love it, by the way. Keep it coming.

I can’t wait until we’re back and I can sleep in my bed again.

Roman

You mean our bed.

Blossom

We’ll see.

“Roman, are you paying attention?”

I look up, startled at the sound of my name and meet Kita’s eyes. She raises her eyebrows in question.

“Of course, I am. I was checking the time,” I lie. “You’re going to be late for your big championship game.”

“I’m not going,” Kita says.

Oh, right. Kita was telling me she had a falling out with her bowling partner, Dorothy, so now she’s not going to play in the championship. Winning this trophy is all she’s talked about for the last month. She’s been practicing non-stop.

“I agree with you, Dorothy shouldn’t have flirted with your man.

She’s a bad friend.” I put her coffee down on the counter in front of her because it’s hot and I don’t want her to burn herself.

“But one bad friend shouldn’t make you quit the game.

Look at me, I have no friends and I’ve been playing this game for ten years. ”

Kita places her elbow on the counter and rests her cheek on her upturned hand. “What about that boy who calls you?”

“Connor?” Maybe it’s proving her point that I know right away who she’s talking about.

“Yes, Cowboy Connor.”

Lavinia keeps teasing me that I have friends I refuse to acknowledge, like Kita and Connor. We played for New York together and kept in touch even after I was traded. I don’t call him or message him any time I need advice, but we check in every so often.

He’s retired now and lives on a ranch in Calgary, hence why Kita calls him Cowboy Connor. Maybe he is my friend if I told Kita about him.

“Okay, fine. In a career spanning a decade, I made one friend,” I admit. “We’re talking about you right now. What are you going to do?”

Kita sighs and takes a sip of her coffee. “I suppose I can call Lilian and ask her to play with me.”

“Didn’t you pass over Lilian for Dorothy?”

“What other choice do I have? When you’re my age, your friends become sparse. Besides, Lilian and I used to work together for a long time.”

“You had a job?” Ever since I moved in, I’ve never seen Kita leave for work. I assumed she’s retired from a high paying job or has family money because our neighborhood isn’t cheap.

“Of course I had a job!” Kita says, outrageously. “Where did I think I got my money?”

I shrug. “I figured you inherited money from a rich husband who died under mysterious circumstances."

This makes Kita laugh. The kitchen is filled with the smell of baking bread, and I look at the timer on the stove to see how much time is left before my sourdough is done. It’s Lavinia’s favorite, so I make sure to bake a fresh loaf when she’s coming over.

“You really like Lavinia,” she says to me.

“I’ve liked her for a long time.” I lean back against the counter as Kita gives me an introspective look.

“Is it just like?” She asks, a lilt to her voice.

I’ve wanted her for so long that I can’t imagine the thought of letting her go.

The only thing left to do is make Lavinia fall in love with me and then she wouldn’t want to leave.

I like to think that time reserved a place for us, that it had to be now and not before because we weren’t the versions of ourselves who were open to love.

Loving Lavinia is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

I often catch myself staring at her when she isn’t looking, as if my eyes are trying to memorize every moment of her existence–the way a strand of hair escapes her braid and curls along the nape of her neck, the steadiness of her gaze, the curve of her lips when she smiles to herself, the quiet rhythm of her breath.

Loving her feels like standing at the edge of a mountain and watching a sunrise you never expected to see–soft, endless, and full of promises I can’t put into words.

She tries to hide her imperfections, yet they fit against mine like a map I’ve been following my whole life without knowing it was leading me to her.

The oven dings and I’m saved from answering Kita. I don’t want to tell someone else I love Lavinia before I tell her. I grab the oven mitts and pull the bread out of the oven, setting it on the counter.

“That looks perfect,” Kita comments. It really does, golden and risen to perfection. At this point, I’m an expert at making sourdough.

My phone chimes and I almost drop the bread, thinking it’s Lavinia messaging. Kita grins at me as I pick up my phone. The message is from an unknown number.

Unknown

Hey, it’s Kai. If you’re free tonight, drop by Archer’s Pub at 7:00pm. Back door.

I show the message to Kita.

“You have to go,” she says. “This is an opportunity, Roman.”

I screenshot the message and send it to Lavinia. Her response is immediate.

Blossom

O. M. G. Babe, it’s finally happening! You’re going to be a contender!

I guess I’m going to Archer’s Pub tonight at 7:00pm.

At 6:45pm, I’m standing in front of Archer’s pub.

Kai’s message said to come to the back entrance and I’m a little suspicious.

This can be innocent, or it can be an ambush.

I know they’re good guys; that’s part of the reason I wanted this.

I’ve seen their friendship, and it’s always made me wish for something similar.

“Figured you’d get here early.”

I look towards the alley that probably leads to the back of the pub. Ford’s walking out of it, hands thrust into the pocket of his jeans.

“I wanted to get a lay of the land,” I say. They don’t know I’ve been here before with Coach. Since the pub is owned by Holden’s family, I assume the guys have access whenever they need.

“Relax, we’re not going to do anything bad.” He grins. “Now turn around.”

He pulls out something long and black from his pocket and it takes me a second to realize it’s a blindfold.

“Dude, I’m not interested in you like that,” I say.

“You’re not exactly my type, either.” Ford makes a circular motion with two fingers, telling me to turn around. With a sigh, I do as he instructs. My vision darkens as Ford puts the blindfold over my eyes.

“My life in your hands, Ford.”

He takes my arm and turns me, leading me forward. It’s a strange feeling, not being able to see. It’s even stranger to trust someone to guide me and trust them not to mislead me. “As flattered as I am, I don’t want the responsibility of telling Lavinia that something bad has happened to you.”

“Is something bad going to happen to me?”

“Depends.” He doesn’t add more to it, and I start to worry a little. I’m ready to take off the blindfold when Ford comes to a stop and knocks on a door.

There’s a metallic sound as someone opens it and Ford pushes me forward. The door closes behind us, blocking the chill outside.

“Why the fuck is it dark?” Ford asks.

“We weren’t sure if Roman would agree to the blindfold,” someone says. I think it’s Holden.

Someone bumps into something and cries out. “Fuck, my foot.”

“Why are you naked?” Someone else asks.

“It’s hot in here!” I’m sure this is Reese because he’s the only one who habitually takes off his shirt when there’s no reason to do so. I’ve heard the guys discussing it and the consensus is he does it to show off his body.

“At least this is well organized,” I comment.

“Well, it would’ve been if these guys were capable of organizing themselves,” Ford says behind me. There’s more shuffling and crying out and then my blindfold is yanked off my head. I open my eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust to the brightness.

We’re in a back room of some sorts. There are crates packed along the walls and shelves stacked with alcohol in one half of the room.

The other area, where we’re standing, probably serves as an office. It’s separated from the rest by only a glass wall. In front of me stand the Titans; Drew, Reese, Holden, Kai, and Ford.

“Get on your knees,” Ford demands.

“Not happening,” I say. “I only get on my knees for one person and she’s in New York right now.”

Drew makes a disgusted face. “That’s a fucking image I’ll never be able to get out of my head.”

“This will be a lot quicker if you do as you’re told,” Holden says. “On your knees.”

I take a small step back. “Okay, I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want any part of this. I’m going to leave now and we’re going to pretend none of this ever happened.”

Kai steps closer, his eyes beseeching. “It’s not anything bad, I promise. It’s a weird little thing we do and it’s completely harmless.”

I roll my eyes and exhale loudly. The only reason I stay is because Lavinia would want me to. She agreed to stay married to me so I can be a part of the Titans.

We’ve come a long way from that Las Vegas casino and not in distance. I can’t imagine letting Lavinia leave at the end of the season as per the terms of our agreement.

“If anything weird happens, Lavinia will be hearing about it,” I say.

“Do you tell your wife everything?” Reese scoffs.

“Of course.” I get down on my knees.