6. Adrianna
Adrianna
Luka Rizzoli:
Good night, Adrianna.
I stare at my phone and think about how I want to respond.
If I want to respond. Of course, I want to respond.
It was such a surprise to have him call me before his game tonight.
I almost dropped my phone onto the bar top when his name came across it.
Then I stared at it for a couple seconds.
It wasn't until Penelope shoved my phone into my hand and swiped answer that I finally decided to talk to him.
I think I would have let it go to voicemail if she hadn't forced the issue.
Hearing that he just wanted to hear my voice before his game made the shell around my heart crack a little.
That is probably why I felt the need to text him about playing so great.
The whole bar was buzzing with excitement during the game.
It even caused me to cheer for Jake when he scored.
I covered my eyes with my hands when someone named Grady slammed another player into the glass.
Still, I heard all the cheers, so I spaced my fingers out so I could watch him throw off his gloves and make a motion for the other guy to come at him.
A massive smile across his face. I loved it when the team lined up at the end and tapped their helmets against Luka's.
I watched as Jake and Grady grabbed Luka and squished him in a big bear hug.
I asked the guys sitting around us if that was normal.
They let us know that they always bump helmets but what Luka did doesn't happen every game.
He didn't let a single goal happen. I felt I needed to congratulate him on that.
I stare at my phone some more. Just tell him goodnight, Adrianna.
Me:
Good night, Luka.
I put my phone on silent, afraid that if he texted back, I would never get any sleep tonight.
I wake up to a good morning text from Luka and one from Coleman telling me I got mail.
I guess I am showing another house today.
I pull myself out of bed and start getting ready for my day.
I checked my email to get the information needed for my showing.
I won't be able to show it until they get off work this evening, so I spend the morning cleaning up some.
My phone rings and I almost laugh when I get sad to see it's Penelope instead of Luka.
I stopped myself from checking his schedule today.
I didn't want to know when he would be coming back into town.
I wonder how often they travel and if he gets lonely traveling with the team instead of being with his family.
From what I have heard, the Rizzolis are a large family that spends a lot of time together.
It was always just my brother and me. I was sad when I moved away for college, but not to the point that I wanted to go home and visit all the time.
He probably never gets lonely. I am sure he goes out with his team all the time, and I know girls throw themselves at athletes.
The thought that he was with someone last night after messaging me makes my heart hurt some.
I need to stop thinking about it. It's not like we are dating.
"Hey, Pen," I answer, holding the phone on my shoulder and pressing my ear to it.
"What are you doing?" I can hear the clicking of her turn signal. "Are you at your apartment?"
"I am. I don't have a showing until later this evening. Just been cleaning. Where are you?"
"I wanted to grab some tea. Do you want to go grab some with me? I can pick you up?"
"Sure, I would love some coffee. I don't know how you drink hot tea all the time." I go to the closet and pull out my boots. I know if she is already on the road, she is ready to go, and I need to move my ass.
"I don't know how you can drink coffee. I will be in front of your place in five. Move your ass."
I roll my eyes knowing she was going to say that. "I will be there."
We walk into Perk It Up, and I smile when I see the barista behind the counter. "Hey, Augie."
"Addy, Penelope. How are you, girls?"
Penelope smiles at Augie, and he winks at her. I know she thinks he is cute, and I try to drop hints to him all the time.
"Hey, Augie." She smiles at him again, and he leans toward the counter.
"You want honey and cream or lemon and ginger?" He taps his finger against the counter, his ring making a tinging noise.
"Honey and cream, please." He smiles at her and looks at me. "What can I get for you today, Addy?
"Oh, so you remember Pen's order but not mine?" I act put off and roll my eyes. He laughs at me, and Penelope elbows me on the side. "I will just take a double espresso." He nods and turns to make the order.
"Why do you do that?" Penelope whisper shouts at me.
"Do what?" I smile at her. Before she can answer, the door opens, and four beautiful women and a little girl enter.
"Hey Babe!" Augie yells at the blonde, who smiles at him. I see a ping of sadness in Penelope's eyes before she smiles at me. "I will be with you ladies as soon as I am done here."
"Don't rush, Augie. We are waiting for the guys. We are just going to grab a table." She walks over to a few tables and they spread out.
We were waiting by the counter when I felt something tug on my jacket. I look down to see the cute little girl who walked in with the woman.
"Hi." She waves at me, and I give her a small wave back.
"Hello, sweet girl." I look from her to the table of women. All have their eyes trained on me, watching the little girls' every move.
"My Zio calls me Sweetheart." She nods her head back and forth and then looks at me again. "I really like your hair. I was afraid to come tell you, but I was told I shouldn't be afraid if my family was close by. So, I like your hair."
I reach up and run my fingers through it. "Thank you, sweet girl. I really like your bun. Are you a dancer? It looks like a dancer bun." She reaches up and taps on the perfect bun on her head.
"I am." She smiles and the door chimes again. 4 large men walk in the door.
"Babe, your husband is here," Augie yells as he passes us our cups and then winks to Penelope.
"Layla, baby. What are you doing?" One of the tall men walks towards us. Something about him feels familiar.
"I was telling my friend that I liked her hair." She smiles at me and I pat her on her head until the guy pulls her closer to him.
"As much as I would like to be your friend.
You shouldn't call people that until you know them.
I know your family was watching you, but you can never be too careful, okay?
" I look from her to the man and he gives me a small nod.
Her little lip sticks out some and I am afraid I hurt her feelings.
I quickly stick out my hand. "My name is Adrianna.
" I watch her try to mouth my name a couple times and laugh.
"My friends call me Addy. This is my friend Penelope.
" I motion over to Pen, who gives her a little wave.
"My name is Layla." She slides her hand into mine as a small, petite woman slides up next to the man.
"Callum, are you scaring these poor ladies? Layla just wanted to tell her that she liked her hair. We were watching her." She shakes her head at his scolding look.
"It's okay." I smile at her and then at the man named Callum. "It was nice meeting you, Layla. I hope to see you on the big stage one day. Then I can say I met a famous dancer." I smile at her again and pick up my coffee cup as the door chimes again. Man, they are busy today.
"Zio! Jake!" Layla turns towards the door and dips from beneath Callum's arm. I watch her run into the arms of the man I am trying very hard to forget.
"Hey, Sweetheart. Did you miss me?" I watch as Luka presses his nose against her head and closes his eyes. Is he smelling her hair?
I don't know why, but that thought caused another crack in the shell.
"I missed you, Zio." She presses her hand against his cheek. Come see my new friend's pretty hair." She pats his face, and he opens his eyes.
"You made a new friend without me?" He smiles at her and puts her down. She quickly hugs Jake's legs and then grabs Luka's hand, dragging him toward us. I spin around and face Penelope, my eyes wide. I silently plead with her to become a magician and make me disappear.
"Gattina?" I hear Luka's rough voice wash over me.
"What did you call her? That's not her name, silly. Her name is Addy."
"Adrianna?" I hear Jake's voice and then the whole store goes quiet except for the sound of Augie making coffee.
I slowly turn around and hold up my hand. "Hi, Luka. Hi, Jake. Good game last night." My cheeks are bright red, and I am sure they match my hair. I feel Penelope slightly squeeze my arm.
"Killer game last night, Rizzoli. Those saves were amazing." She steps next to me and holds out her hand. "Penelope, or Pen for short. I am Addy's best friend." I watch Luka shake her hand, but he never breaks eye contact with me.
"It's a team effort, and Jake and Grady also had some killer scores." He pulls his hand from hers and then grabs my elbow. Without saying anything else, he pulled me towards the hallway leading to the bathrooms.