“Six o’clock, love. I knew you didn’t have a change of clothes, so I figured you’d have to head home and get ready for work.”
Groaning, I turned around in his arms and faced him. “I don’t want to go to work. I want to stay right here.”
He pushed his length against my thigh. “Trust me, I want you to stay as well. But we’ll see each other tonight, right? Are you still cooking?”
“Yep. I’ll call you when I get off work so you can head over.”
His lips brushed against mine, but then his smile slowly faded. It was the same look he gave me last night when I first walked in. “Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
Releasing a sigh, I glanced around his room. “Your room is very laid back. Did you pick out the colors?”
He nodded. “I guess you were expecting black?”
“Kind of,” I laughed. “These colors make you feel comfortable. The room has more of a home-like feel to it. It doesn’t scream seduction like the rooms downstairs.”
His expression turned serious. “That’s because it wasn’t meant to. No other female has been in this room or on my bed. You were the first.”
My mouth dropped open. Was he serious? “How is that possible?”
“Simple. I’ve never felt comfortable having just anyone in my private space…not until you.” I stared into his eyes, but he didn’t waver. Usually you could tell when someone was lying because the person’s attention would drift, but his gaze stood firm.
“Have you not ever been in love?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, but then again, I’m not sure I know what that feels like. Something tells me I’m getting close to it.”
“I think I know what you mean.” I waited for him to say more, but we just lay there and gazed at each other as time kept ticking by. If I didn’t leave soon, I’d be late for work. “I should probably go,” I murmured sadly.
I got out of bed and threw on my clothes, but Jack got out and followed me to the door, butt naked. “Your neighbors might see you,” I said.
He waved me off. “They’re too far away to see what goes on over here. You should see me when I get in my hot tub. Maybe next time you can join me,” he mentioned with a wink.
“It’s a date then.”
Taking my chin, he tilted it up so he could kiss me. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Opening the door, I walked out and waved at him before getting in my car. Fortunately, he shut the door before anyone could see him. My phone beeped and I just realized I had left it in my car all night. There were six missed calls from my brother and a gazillion text messages.
Hurrying down the road, I called him back, knowing he was going to be out of his mind with worry. He picked up the phone and I could hear the concern in his voice. “Thank fucking God it’s you. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m on my way home to get ready for work.”
“On your way home? Where have you been?”
I cleared my throat. “Over at a friend’s house.”
He let out a loud sigh. “Does this friend happen to be a guy?”
I giggled. “Maybe. I think you’ll like him.”
“When do I get to meet him?”
“Hopefully soon. He has to go out of town this weekend to see his mother. She’s dying of cancer and doesn’t have long to live.”
“Fuck, that sucks. I can’t imagine what that feels like.” I would probably go insane if I ever lost my mother. We weren’t as close as we used to be, but she was still my rock besides Ryan.
“Me either. But I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls. I had left my phone in the car. I promise it won’t happen again. I bet you were freaking out, huh?”
He huffed. “Just a little. I wanted to remind you that I’ll be out of town this weekend for the game. Do you want to come with me?”
“I wish I could, Ry, but I already have appointments set up. Maybe I can go to the next one?”
“Sounds good, but if you try to back out, I’m dragging your ass there. Maybe it’ll keep me from killing this bastard on my team.”
“Uh-oh. Do I even want to know?”
“It’s a long story, but there’s a guy on the team that’s a real dirtbag. I was talking to one of our wide receivers, Evan Townsend, and he told me some fucked-up shit. I don’t even see why he’s friends with that guy after what he did to him.”
“What did he do?” I asked.
“He tried to steal his girl by making her think Evan was cheating on her. He had one of the cheerleaders sneak into Evan’s home and get into bed with him when he was drunk one night. She even planted a used condom in his trash to make him think it happened.”
I hurried into my condo and turned on the lights. “Wow, that’s messed up. How did Evan’s girlfriend find out it was a setup?”
“Evan’s best friend was there and stopped it all. I’m just waiting for this guy to do something fucked up to me. It’s a good thing I don’t have a girlfriend.”
I scoffed. “Exactly. Damn, Ry, I didn’t realize it was this bad. It kills me to know you have to put up with that mess.”
“It’s okay, Bris. I probably haven’t helped matters by hanging out with McCarthy. The other guys don’t seem to like him much either.”
“Then I suggest you get away from him. You don’t want the others to think you’re like him.”
“No, but it might be too late.”
“It’s never too late. All you have to do is try.” We said our goodbyes.
As soon as I reached my building, I raced inside to the elevators. There were people leaving already to head to work, and here I was with wrinkled clothes and my hair in a mess. It was embarrassing, especially with all the stares.
I rushed into the shower. I hated that Ryan was having so many problems with the team. I was glad he was with me in North Carolina, but I didn’t want him miserable. Hopefully, he’d find his place on the team.
I had thirty minutes to shower and get dressed before I needed to leave for work. And then, in just a few short hours I’d be with Jack again.
Chapter 13
Jaxon