“That’s not reality, though. The tabloids love to make up stuff.”
He rubbed his jaw. “For the most part. I was a bit of a bad boy, though.”
For some reason that made me happy. “Well, New Yorkers love a shit-talker, but only if they’re a winner.”
A fierce light entered his eyes. “I intend to win. I didn’t come here to lose.”
At his husky growl, a tiny thrill ran through me. As if it were yesterday, I remembered it purring in my ear. “Then you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
He focused those intense blue-green eyes on me. “I’m serious, Fallon. You need to make sure I know if you have something going on that’s important, and that includes a boyfriend. I’d never ask you to put yourself second to me. If there was ever a conflict, I’d want you to come to me and talk it out. I look at this as a partnership. Both of us should be happy.”
“Sounds good. It’s never been an issue in the past, and it won’t be now.” Time to get it out of the way. “I’m pretty much a loner anyway. So…you and, uh, are you and your girlfriend really broken up, or is it one of those fights and she’ll be back soon? Just so I know what to expect.”
“Nah, we’re done.” There wasn’t a shred of regret or resignation in his voice. “Mimi and I were never gonna be anything more than surface. I knew she was with me because I’m a football star, and I’m not gonna pretend I was attracted to her scintillating conversation about politics and the economy.”
My lips twitched. “I have no doubts about that.”
“I’m already O for 2 in relationships and just stopped paying alimony on my last ex-wife, since she remarried last year. I’m not planning on getting involved with anyone for the time being. I’ve decided it’s too much for me to concentrate on both football and women. And football wins every time.”
“Got it.” I plugged his information in to a real estate database and came up with at least six apartments. “I have two places you can look at right away. Check the photos, see what you think. I can make you appointments—”
“Can you do it?” Trick waved a hand, and I gaped at him.
“You want me to pick out an apartment for you? Trick, that’s…this is going to be your place.”
“Yeah, but realistically, I’m barely gonna be in it almost half the year. Fact is, you could even stay there when I’m on the road.”
I burst out laughing. “Yeah, okay, sure. I have an apartment, you know.” A shoebox of a studio that even with the excellent salary Dev paid me was all I could afford in the neighborhood. But it sufficed for now.
“I bet mine would be nicer.”
I couldn’t help matching his grin.
“No kidding. But I can’t pick out your apartment.”
“Why not?”
This wasn’t him teasing me. “You’re serious.”
He scooted forward on the couch. “Dead serious. Look. Go see the places, take real pictures—not the bullshit ones they put online—and send them to me with your honest opinions.”
Not even Dev, whom I’d known almost my whole life, had ever entrusted me with something this personal. But then he had Brody, plus the city born-and-bred street smarts.
“If you really want…” I responded, still uncertain.
He knocked my foot with his. “I want.”
That gravelly voice hit a chord straight to my balls, and I pressed my lips together to keep them from trembling.
If only…
“I’ll get on it right away.”
“Great, thanks. I have to meet my agent and go over stuff. Could you…would you mind hanging around here today? I’m waiting for a delivery of the rest of my stuff from California, and I want someone I trust to accept it.”
“Not a problem. I work from your place, not mine. I’ll start calling realtors to see apartments. Do you need me to make you any dinner reservations?”
A knock at the door prevented him from responding. “Hold that thought,” he said and left to answer the door. I overheard murmured voices, and Trick returned with a large, sealed envelope in his hand.
