3. Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Susie

PullTheLine: You really think he’s that good?

NotJOsSis: I know he’s that good! NotJOsSis: Just look at his stats since he’s been in the NFL. They speak for themselves.

PullTheLine: I guess you can’t argue with the numbers.

I guess you can’t argue with the numbers?

That was the strangest and most benign conversation I’ve ever had with Chase. Normally, it’s a battle of statistics filled with lots of back and forth.

But not this conversation. He was pretty amenable to everything I had to say, but it was just plain strange.

He said it had been an interesting few days, which I interpreted to mean something had happened. But it didn’t feel right asking if everything was okay, so I just chose that it wasn’t anything of importance.

He'll bring it up if he wants to talk about what’s going on. Besides, our conversations haven’t really been deep or personal, they’ve just been surface-level…on purpose.

I mean, he’s just some random guy on the internet, and for all I know, he could be one of America’s Most Wanted criminals.

My pace slows down at the thought.

“Susie.” I glance up to see Brie waving at me. We’re meeting at Thanks-A-Latte for our normal early morning pow-wow before work.

“It’s bad, Brie. Like really bad!” I hug her quickly before I grab the handle and pull the door open. The soft murmur of voices and the smell of roasted coffee beans greet us as we walk into the coffee shop. The bell jingles as the door closes behind us. “I have nothing. I just stare at the screen and watch the cursor mocking me day in and day out.”

“Have you tried reading?” Brie asks, trying to keep a straight face. She’s heard this same story from me a million times, but this time is different. No matter what I do, none of my usual techniques work, and I have no clue how to start this story.

“You know that’s my go-to. I even tried plotting.” My eyebrows tug together, and she turns her head away, but not before I catch the grin that crosses her face. I give her a light smack on her shoulder. “Hey, you’re supposed to help me feel better. Not laugh at me.”

“Hey, Rachel,” Brie says, looking over her shoulder at me with a big grin on her face. She shrugs.

“Hey, Brie, Susie. What can I get for you today?” Rachel smiles brightly, and I almost feel bad for wanting to slap the smile off her face.

Why is everyone in such a good mood when I’m being tortured?

“Latte with extra foam, please,” Brie turns back to me with a smirk on her face like she can read my mind. She throws her arm around me and pulls me close, giving me a little shake. “Awe, come here. What do you want? I’m buying.”

“Pumpkin Spice Latte with some extra whipped cream. A whole extra cup if you can.” Rachel gives me a sympathetic smile, though her eyes twinkle.

“Having a rough morning?” I let out a big sigh and drop my shoulders. Brie’s arm tightens, giving me an extra squeeze before letting go.

“You have no idea,” I shake my head and force a smile.

“I’ll get those for you right away, and I’ll make a cup of whipped cream with a spoon,” Rachel winks at me as she heads to the espresso machine to start our drinks.

“Thank you,” I clap my hands together, feeling excitement course through me. I love whipped cream. Like a lot. No, seriously, dangerously so. But one cup won’t hurt me.

“Okay. Let’s talk about your…” Brie leans into me and whispers. “Writer's block.”

At her words, I feel my mouth go dry and a tingling in my chest. I swallow hard.

“Come on! It can’t be that bad,” she says with eyebrows up to her hairline. “You’re–”

I nudge Brie with my elbow and turn to glare at her. Sometimes, she forgets that no one else knows I’m Amelia Adams.

The coffee shop bell chimes, and I look over my shoulder and do a double take. My eyes take in a man with short wavy brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a day-old scruff. My heart jumps against my rib cage, doing its best to try and escape.

Wow. Adam Daniels is even better looking in person.

“Brie.” I annoyingly nudge her with my elbow multiple times, not taking my eyes off Adam, and whisper, “Did Josh tell you when Adam Daniels was getting into town?”

“Why do you always tease me like that? You know your brother is my least favorite human being in the world—”

That’s not true. She likes Josh…I mean, really likes him. Just like he likes her. The amount of flirting—or fighting, as they call it—is enough to make me want to pull my hair out.

I look at Brie and see her eyes find Adam. I nudge her hip with mine and smirk at her.

“Oh. My. Goodness!” She mouths at me, and a smile crosses my face as I waggle my eyebrows.

“I know, right?” I mouth back.

“Here you go,” Rachel interrupts our staring by placing our drinks and my cup of whipped cream on the counter. “Enjoy!”

Neither Brie or me pick up our drinks, but we toy with them and pretend to have meaningless conversation. Adam gets to the counter and orders a peppermint tea. The timber of his voice leaves me feeling like I just stepped into a warm shower.

I look at Brie's wide eyes; hers mirror mine, and we mouth at the same time, “Peppermint tea?”

I shove my hand over my mouth to prevent myself from laughing out loud. I look at Brie, and her eyes flick from me to over my shoulder, and I freeze.

“Talk to him,” she mouths and nudges me. I shake my head, and she mouths, “Yes! Go.”

I take in a deep breath and twirl to face Adam.

“Adam Daniels?” His gaze flick to mine, and I smile. “Welcome to Pleasant Hollow. We’re happy to have you as the new offensive lineman for the Mavericks.”

He gives me a nod and a tight smile. My stomach swirls, and my mouth gets dry.

“I’m Susie Owens,” I wipe my palm on my pant leg and hold it out. He looks at it before shaking it. “Josh Owens’ sister.”

“Oh.” He gives me a small smile that doesn’t meet his eyes but doesn’t say anything else. His eyes are a bit red and his scruff makes it look like he’s had a rough few days.

My heart starts to race, and I feel myself getting ready to fall into the Susie Owens curse, the one where words from my mouth with no ability to control them.

I swallow against the lump in my throat and rub my hands up and down my pants.

“Don’t hesitate to let me or Brie,” I throw my thumb over my shoulder at Brie. “Know if you need any help. Pleasant Hollow is a small town where everyone knows everyone, and anyone will help you if they can.”

“Here you go,” Rachel places Adam’s drink on the counter. “And welcome. Can’t wait to see you playing for the Mavs.”

“Thanks,” Adam replies, not looking at Rachel as he picks up his cup. “I appreciate it.”

“Are you settled in yet?” Adam goes to open his mouth, but I cut him off. “Oh, I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that. Sometimes, I ramble and stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

The corner of his lips lift, and I see a twinkle in his eye. I feel heat creep up my neck, but I can’t stop the flood of words from falling out of my mouth.

“But like I was saying, don’t hesitate to ask any of us for help. Our job is to make sure that you’re settled in and comfortable.” My face gets hotter at the image that pops into my mind of helping him get comfortable.

What is wrong with me?

The litany of words finally stops pouring out of my mouth but I’m still staring. His head tilts, his eyes narrow slightly, and he’s wearing a slight smirk. He’s looking at me as if trying to figure me out.

“Ahem.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Brie.” My face heats even more, and I turn to my best friend. “Adam, meet Brie Woodbury. Brie, meet Adam Daniels.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Adam. Like Susie and Rachel said, we’re here to help you feel at home. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Thanks, Brie and Susie. It was nice to meet both of you. I have to get headed to the Mavs training facility.” His gaze connects with mine and butterflies take that moment to flap their wings at full speed. A flicker of surprise is reflected in his warm brown eyes, but it just as quickly fades. “Don’t want to be late on my first day.”

“Definitely don’t want to be late,” I say, breathless, as he turns and heads toward the door. My eyes linger on his broad back as he strolls toward the exit.

“See you soon, Adam,” Brie waves just as Adam pushes the door open. He turns and gives us a quick wave, a lopsided grin on his face.

“Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need any help?” Brie howls. “Girl, you really need to work on that rambling of yours. It was out of control.”

“I know,” I cover my face with my hands. I made a complete fool out of myself with him. I’m just not sure that I’ve ever been that affected by someone in my entire life. “It’s out of my control when I’m nervous.”

“Well, he is a sight to behold,” Brie grins at me. “Maybe just the inspiration you need to take care of your little problem.”

My gaze turns back to the door that Adam recently walked out of. “You may have a valid point there.”

“Here, take your pumpkin spice and whipped cream.” she says, handing me my cups, and then looks at her watch. “Oh no. I have to get to work now, or I’m going to be late.”

She walks quickly toward the door before whirling around. “Call me later if you still want to talk.”

“Thanks.” I absently wave at her, still off-kilter from my encounter with Adam.

I slowly walk to a table to get to work, an idea brewing in my head.