Page 34 of Colliding with Ten

SOLO LESSONS

AYLA

My phone rang from the coffee table. The number wasn’t saved, but I recognized it. I suspected it was the man who’d sent enough white roses to make AJ consider moving buildings, so I was thankful he was still in the kitchen making a protein shake.

My stomach flipped as I reached for the phone, determined to act casual. “Hello?”

He was slow to answer. “Ayla.”

I melted at the sound of my name in his deep voice, waiting for what he’d say next. No wonder grown men listened to him. I pulled the throw blanket higher and straightened. No man was going to quarterback me over the phone.

“Monroe,” I said, using his last name to put distance between us.

“So you saved my number.”

“No. You’re still the enemy who subjected me to a floral ambush.”

Lennox chuckled, and my chest lifted. I narrowed my eyes at my reflection in the blank television. I looked too interested for someone supposed to be recovering before the next rematch against his team.

“How’s everything going?”

“I’ve been trapped on a couch, Monroe. I’m busy counting.”

“Counting what?”

“Everything. Days. Ice packs. Reality TV betrayals. How many times AJ asked if I’d taken my anti-inflammatory medicine.”

He gave a laugh. A warm sensation slid into my chest.

“Did you call to get an update on the number?”

I waited through a pause.

“I’m calling about your knee. And something else.”

His tone put me on edge. He sounded too serious for a check-in, and it pulled me up.

“There was a break-in.”

My smile fell, and my eyes flicked to the kitchen, where AJ was cleaning up after dinner.

“What kind of break-in?”

“A player’s home. It happened while the team was traveling for an away game.”

I sat up straighter, careful not to jostle my leg. “That’s awful.”

“They stole some valuables, and they used a public schedule to do it.”

A chill moved over my arms. I glanced at the hallway, then the front door. AJ’s building had a doorman, cameras, and security. Still, Lennox’s words made the apartment feel different.

“Do you think AJ could be a target?”

“Yes.”

“And me?”

He got quiet. I wondered why I was pushing him to admit he was worried about me. I bit my lip, waiting for this to backfire.