I hug the paperwork to my chest. Thisisa big deal. Part of me is still wary because when something is too good to be true, it usually is. Deep down, however, I’m letting myself feel just a bit of anticipation. My own space! Sure, I’ll miss my bestie, but, damn, I haven’t lived on my own in so long.
I have so many wonderful ideas for setting up my new place. I can’t wait to get started. I love Kenji, but this has never been our place. All it takes in one look around to see that this place is all Kenji. Which is as it should be, but I’m looking forward to having something that’s mine. Plus, I’ll have a bit of extra money from the class I’ll be doing for the Wolves, so I’ll be able to decorate at least a little. This could not have worked out better if I’d planned it myself.
“I can see that brain working a mile a minute from over here,” Kenji says, cutting through my decor plans. His mischievous grin is slightly hidden behind the rim of his water glass. I love how supportive we are of each other.
“You know me. I’m already planning.” My smile gets wider. It’s all coming together for me.
“I’m glad this is working out for you. You deserve it, girl, but I am going to miss the hell out of you!”
“I’ll only be a phone call away. Besides, and don’t take this the wrong way, but I absolutely will not miss the drive into town every day. I love it up here, but it’s one heck of a commute.”
He nods in agreement.
“Oh, I know. I love this place more than I hate the drive, I guess.” He says with a smile.
“Says the man with his own gym in the basement. Like you even need to leave.” I tease. Honestly, between grocery delivery and Amazon, he doesn’t need to go out, and sometimes he doesn’t. For someone who is such a celebrity, he’s quite an introvert.
“Fair,” is his teasing reply.
“Oh, hey, I almost forgot to tell you with all the excitement.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m almost positive the GM for the Wolves has a man crush on you.”
He laughs.
“Damon Hawk? What makes you say that?”
“Well, he asked me if you would attend a few of my classes at the arena.” I give him a sly smile. “He thinks that will help them get better player attendance. Cause you’re such a big celebrity and all.”
“Ugh, yeah, he’s probably right about that. Toxic masculinity being what it is. You know I’m all about fighting that stereotype, so, of course, I’ll come. It’s in the morning, right?”
“Yeah, nine am for throughout preseason training. They have me set up for weekdays and Saturday, with Sunday off for two weeks.” I check my calendar app. “Starting on September 8th.”
He pulls out his phone to check his schedule, and we review the dates, deciding that his attendance at the first class would be the perfect way to draw people in. We pick a couple more datesto give us some flexibility. I can’t believe how things have turned around.
Liam
“Shit, only one more week ’til preseason.” Walker says as he pulls up his running app on his smartwatch. He keeps careful track of everything he physically does on a daily basis. He’s even got me doing it.
We’re about to head out for our daily run. It’s something we’ve been doing every morning before we hit the gym with our trainer. When we’re together, we’ve always been able to push each other to a higher level. It’s only been two weeks and I’m in the best preseason shape of my life right now. That’s going to give me a huge advantage going into training. This is more fun than I’ve had in years.
“Well aware.” I respond while lacing up my running shoes.
“Mom and Dad get off okay this morning?” My parents pretty much adopted him after he lost his in a drunk driving accident, even though he was an adult at the time. My mom said it didn’t matter. Everyone needs someone looking out for them. He and Madison just seamlessly slid into our family, like they’d always been there.
“Yeah, they’re gonna text me when they get to the UK.”
“They deserve to have the best vacation ever.” He grins at me.
“They absolutely do.”
We take off on our regular route around the neighborhood park and down through the back streets under the overpass. It takes us less than an hour to run our five-mile route, and we always stop at the coffee shop for a cold brew once we’re finished. Caffeine is a requirement, not an option.
“Everything good with you and your folks?” Walker asks after we’ve settled into a comfortable pace.
“What do you mean?”
