Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“College.” Not a lie, but it’s not what he’s thinking. We didn’t go to college with her.
“Who is she?”
“Henderson!” Coach calls out his name. “You care to join us, or do you plan on sitting there and shooting the shit?”
“Sorry, Coach, giving my boy here some love advice,” Caleb calls back. The room erupts in laughter, and if it were not for the reprieve from Caleb’s questioning, I’d probably be pissed off and a little bit embarrassed.
“I got you, Williams,” Jefferson says, turning around in his chair to face me. “I have a way with the ladies,” he says, bobbing his head and wagging his eyebrows.
“I’m good,” I tell him with a reluctant laugh. I’m surrounded by idiots. He might have a way with the ladies, but my guess is it has more to do with his playing for the Ramblers than anything else.
Thankfully, the murmurs settle down, and we go back to watching tape. Caleb surprisingly lets the subject go, but this conversation is far from over. I thought I was being sneaky, letting him know that I met someone who I truly care about. Instead, I opened a can of worms, and instead of planting a seed that I’m committed, I’ve planted suspicion.
Joey is going to be pissed.
“You’re wearing a hole in the carpet,” Caleb comments.
I stop pacing. Hell, I didn’t even know I was doing it to look at it. “I have too much nervous energy.”
“Are you that excited to see this girl?” A look passes over his face that I can’t decipher before it’s gone.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I’m that excited to see her.”
“Do I get to meet her?”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m your best friend.”
“She’s not ready yet.” Not a complete lie.
“What?” he asks, confused.
“She’s not ready yet,” I repeat. “She’s not really one to be in the limelight, so we’re keeping her out of it for now.”
“When have you seen her? You’ve been home every night. You don’t go out after the games, and you’re in bed most nights before Joey and me.”
“Things have been… distant. But we’re getting there.” Fuck, this is hard. I hate lying to him. I’m trying to give him answers that are as close to the truth as I possibly can.
“So, what? She’s from here? Or she traveled to the game? You buy her way here?”
“No. I didn’t buy her way here.”
“Where is she from?”
“Not far from us.” I’m being vague, and we both know it.
“Jesus, it’s like pulling teeth to get any kind of information out of you.” He runs his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“Listen, man. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. It’s that I’m respecting her wishes. She doesn’t want all the hoopla that comes with what we do. She asked me to keep us under wraps until she was ready, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“That’s a big ask.”
I nod. “She’s worth it.”
“All right,” he relents. “I won’t push you on this, but when she’s ready, I’m the first in line. You hear me? It’s not every day that your best friend falls in love,” he says, just as his phone rings. “Yeah?” he answers. “I’m on my way.” He ends the call and stands from his bed. “That was the guys. We’re going down to the bar to eat. You sure you don’t want to come with us?”
I glance down at my phone at the text that Joey just sent.
Joey: I’m ready when you are.
“Nah, thanks, though. She’s almost back to her room. We’re probably just going to order some room service.”
“So what you’re telling me is that I have the room all to myself tonight.”
“Yes.” There is no doubt in my mind that I’ll be waking up with her in my arms. Consequences of getting caught be damned.
“Nice.” He holds his fist out for me, and we bump knuckles. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He winks and shuts the door behind him.
I immediately text Joey back.
Me: Caleb just left to meet the guys for dinner. I’m giving it a few minutes, and I’ll be right there.
Her reply is sent with nothing but a number. Her room number. My heart rate kicks up seeing her room number. She’s on the same floor as the team, but she’s on the other end of the hall from the rest of us. It’s a little trickier sneaking into her room, but once I’m there, I don’t plan on leaving. I know the guys will sleep late, so as long as I set the alarm on my phone to sneak out before the team starts to rise, we should be good to go.
After ten minutes I can’t stand it any longer. I make sure that I have my room key and grab the hat and sunglasses from my carry-on and slip out the door. I keep my head down to ensure I don’t make eye contact as I make my way to the opposite side of the floor. Luckily, the hallway is empty, so my disguise was for nothing. I tap once on her door, and it immediately opens. Joey grabs my hand, tugging me inside, before slamming the door shut.