Claire
This guy could not befor real. It just wasn’t possible.
From what I could tell, Seth was a nice, normal guy but then he goes and does something crazy like this, and I have no idea who it is sitting on the floor opposite me, feeding me olives and cheese. Not only had he bought this amazing, grown-up apartment with a bathtub big enough for me to swim in, a marble kitchen that’d make even the best chefs envious, and a view I never wanted to look away from, but he’d paid cash. Cash. Like walk into a bank and hand over a wad of fifties. We could not be more different if we tried. Actually, I was pretty sure that if I went to the teller machine right now and tried to withdraw a measly fifty dollars I’d be declined.
Then, as if the fancy pants apartment wasn’t enough, now he was feeding me cheese and crackers in the most romantic gesture anyone had ever done for me. It wasn’t a fancy hotel with a cloud-like bed, it was better. It was simple, understated, and sweet. It would’ve been so much easier if he was just the dumb jock the papers made him out to be. But no, Seth had to go and be Mr Perfect. I was in so much trouble.
“I can’t eat another bite,” I complained pathetically as I lay back against the cushion and rubbed my overstuffed belly. I should’ve stopped eating ten crackers ago, but everything just tasted so damn good, and my willpower was shot to shit.
“You sure? There’s one last stuffed pepper left.”
“Eat it before I change my mind.”
With a chuckle Seth popped it in his mouth, groaning and moaning as he chewed dramatically making me instantly regret letting him have it. Shit head. He knew what he was doing. Jumping to my feet, I picked up the platter and the empty cans and carried them into the kitchen. It may have looked like I was being a helpful house guest, but my motives were purely selfish. I had to get those salami slices out of sight before I made myself sick.
Walking back into the living room, I noticed the sun was dipping on the horizon and outside the sky was turning pink and orange. It was truly freaking amazing. And Seth, the lucky bastard that he was, got to live here and see it every day. I don’t know how much he paid for this place, and I wasn’t about to ask, but even I could tell it was worth every penny. I never wanted to leave.
Sitting down on the floor, I adjusted the cushion, resting it against Seth’s outstretched legs. For a while we just sat there in the silence, the sound of our breathing keeping me calm. When Seth wriggled, I went to stand, thinking he’d had enough of me squashing him, but he held me in place. After getting settled, he started trailing his fingers in my hair and massaging my scalp. I had no idea how the hell I was ever going to survive this guy. First the food and now the massage. If he wasn’t careful he’d end up with a new roommate.
“Stay where you are.”
“Okay.” How the hell was I supposed to say no to that? And more importantly, why would I want to?
“How’s training going? You feeling any better about things?”
“Yes and no.”
“Go on,” I encouraged.
“I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. I’m smashing my time trials, and I’m benching more than ever.”
“That’s great…isn’t it?”
I wasn’t completely ignorant when it came to sports and what was impressive, but that was for normal people. I mean, I felt like freaking superwoman when I beat my own times and I was just running on the beach. I could imagine it would feel even better when it mattered. And in Seth’s line of work, it was, I assumed, all that mattered.
“It is.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”
“But…” He didn’t disappoint. “But something’s still off, and I can’t figure it out. Yesterday when we were playing for fun, it worked. We get it. We nail the passes. I’m where I’m supposed to be and it’s all just…I dunno. Instinctive, I guess. But as soon as we get on the field at the stadium, it all falls apart again.”
“Are you, maybe, possibly trying too hard?”
I put the question out there before second-guessing myself. What if I’d overstepped? It wasn’t like I had a clue what I was talking about. Not really.
“That’s what Luca said.”
“He’s the coach, right?” I’d met so many people lately I was having a hard time keeping faces and names straight.
“Yep.”
“Can it hurt trying it his way? Forget where you are and what you think you’re supposed to be doing and just go for it. I mean, following your gut is what got you this far and you’re doing okay. Can’t hurt to give it a go.”
I heard myself saying the words and was impressed by my wisdom. Who knew I was so damn smart? I certainly didn’t.
“You think?”
“I know,” I said confidently.
