I carry them directly into my room, kicking the door closed behind me, and plunk them down on my dresser. They are magnificent. And they’re for me. Oh my God. Well, now I have to call him. It would be rude not to.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, open the nightside table, and glance at the hotel stationary with his number scrawled on it. I carefully punch it into my phone. I'm jumpy and nervous and there's a flock of butterflies bouncing around my insides.
“Hello?”
“Thank you for the flowers. You shouldn’t have.”
"Of course, I should have. It's not every day your one-night stand turns twenty-three," He replies and I can hear the cheeky smile in his voice. "Happy birthday Fireball."
“Thank you. They honestly made my day.”
"I thought the massage at a five-star hotel spa would have done that," Crew replies. "This was just icing on the cake sorta speak."
“How did you know I was getting a massage?”
"Your cousin has loose lips," he says and I remember he and Tate just got back from a pre-season road trip this morning. "I never used to listen when he babbled about one of the hundred Garrisons, but now I do. It's much more interesting when you've seen one of them naked."
“You see Tate naked every day.”
“True. I’ll rephrase. It’s much more interesting when you’ve seen one you’re attracted to naked,” Crew replies.
I grin. My eyes go to the flowers again. My whole room already smells like heaven. “So what are you doing?”
“At home. Fully clothed and alone,” he says and my smile deepens even though it shouldn’t. I shouldn’t care if he’s clothed or alone. “Trying to psych myself up to meet Leigh later.”
“Who is Leigh?” And why do I hate her?
“My real estate agent,” Crew explains. “Tate bought my old place but I’m not buying his and since Nash and I signed contract extensions this summer, and we’re here for another three years, I should find somewhere to live.”
“Where are you looking?”
“Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Venice.” His voice is lifeless.
“You sound like you’re listing contagious skin conditions,” I remark. “No one should sound like that when talking about their future home location.”
He laughs. God, that sound makes me wet even through a phone. I need to get a grip. The point of a one-night stand is that it's once. "I'm honestly not feeling anything she's shown me so far. I just… I mean every player lives by the beach because it’s close to the arena and airport. But I just… I don’t know, maybe I’ll find the right place tonight.”
“Well, good luck.”
“Thanks.” He pauses. “I’ve only got viewings until nine. And then I can always wander over to West Hollywood and grab a drink. You know a good place to do that? Maybe a hotel in the hills.”
"Tate, Mallory, and Tenley are going to be at Chateau Marmont with me," I tell him and hide the sadness in my voice. I can't be sad! He's a one-night stand. One night stand means it happens once.
“Yeah but Tate is going home early because we have practice tomorrow, and Tenley won’t catch on if we accidentally run into each other,” Crew says, and I feel another flutter in my gut.
“Look, I know I’m not the expert on this subject but doesn’t one and done mean once and never again?” I say even though I want to just say see ya there. “Also really hoping that you found some covert way to get my address and didn’t point-blank ask Tate for it.”
“You’re lucky I like being your dirty little secret, Olivia,” Crew rasps. “Tenley is his emergency contact on our team list and it includes her address, which is your address.”
“Smart boy.”
“Not just a dumb jock,” he counters proudly. “Also, I told you we weren't on the same page for our one-night stand so I should get a do-over."
“I enjoyed myself. You enjoyed yourself. Let’s not ruin the memory.” Why am I trying so hard to turn him down? I mean, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to do it again with a hot, unattached, incredibly charming guy who just bought me more roses than I will likely get ever again in my entire life.
“Liv! I’m home! Let’s get this party started!”
“Shit. Ten is here. I have to go.”
