Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Cole

Having a day off in between games and traveling hits different, especially when we don’t have practice. It’s like having a snow day as a kid. Only making plans that interest me, I just finished my workout and am heading upstairs to my bedroom when my phone chimes with a text notification. Ignoring it for the time being in favor of undressing from my sweaty gym clothes.

Down to my boxers, walking to the bathroom, I glance at the screen of my phone to see if the message can wait until after my shower.

Oh lord.

It’s a group text with Heather, Ty and Adriana. Answering it sooner rather than later would be better, otherwise Heather might just show up unannounced. That’s a chance I’m not willing to take.

Ty: Happy BBQ at Cole’s Day people!

Heather: Really babe?

Ty: What?

Heather: That’s the best name you could come up with? I’m right next to you and could’ve helped.

Ty: Woman! Leave me alone. Bro, a little help here?

Adriana: Ty, boss lady is right. You should have said something like Happy Cole and I are BBQin’ for my wife and Adriana day!

Heather: See, that’s better! And in case you both didn’t know, that’s exactly what is happening.

Cole: Ty, see what you started now?

Ty: I was just trying to ask what time we should come over.

Cole: Next time lead with that. Lol.

I look at the time on the clock and see it’s 11:30 am. I still need to go to the store after I shower.

Cole: Why don’t you guys come over at 2:30? You lot good with hot dogs, burgers and chicken?

Ty: We’re good with that.

Adriana: What he said.

Cole: See ya then.

With that settled, I lay my phone on the counter and hop in the shower.

Less than an hour later, I’m getting in my car to head to the supermarket, liquor store and gas station to grab what we will need for today.

It takes longer than I would have liked to grab groceries, alcohol and propane, but I make it back to the house with twenty minutes to spare before the group gets here.

While placing the last beer in the cooler, I hear the doorbell. Of course, ringing the doorbell wasn’t necessary because Heather just used the extra key they had and let themselves in.

“What was the point of ringing the doorbell if you were going to let yourselves in?” I ask her.

“To let you know we were here.” She retorts.

“You could have just texted, sis.” I say, annoyed.

“Yeah, I know but I like my way better.” she sasses.

“There is cold beer in the cooler and liquor in the fridge. Help yourselves. I also put towels out by the pool for us.” I let them know.

I open the screen door to let Ty and Heather go out first and I mutter under my breath that I might need to take her key as they do. Luckily Heather didn’t hear me, but Adriana did.

“You heard that?” I inquire.

“MMmhhhmmmm. I sure did.” she states.

“Don’t tell her I said that. She’ll never let me live it down and then she’ll just use the key for no reason.” I plead.

“She sure will. Your secret’s safe with me.” She says while sitting next to Heather by the pool.

I go to the fridge to grab everything to grill when I hear footsteps in the kitchen.

“Need some help?” Ty asks as he stands next to me.

“Help or gather intel?” I question him.

“Might be both, little brother.” He answers honestly.

“Yeah, you can help me carry everything out and help me cook. Since apparently that was the plan.” I sarcastically say while rolling my eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. So I was tasked with finding out if you are ready to start dating or not.” Ty says while rolling his eyes. “I figured I’d come ask now, so I didn’t keep getting looks all day.”

“For fuck’s sake. I don’t know. I haven’t even really given that a thought.” I tell him.

That’s a lie. While falling asleep last night, I thought of Adriana, hugging her and her scent. But I don’t know if I’m really ready to try again if I’m being honest.

“I can work with that answer. Let’s get out there and start cooking because I want to get into the pool.” Ty accepts my answer.

And this is why I love my brother. We head back out on the deck where the ladies are enjoying the sun. My brother and I get to work on the grill and about an hour later, we have cooked all the food and spread it out on the table on the deck.

“Food’s done ladies.” I tell Heather and Adriana.

They both get up from the lounge chairs and head over to the table where we are.

“Let’s dig in.” Ty says.

“This is really good.” Heather says after swallowing her bite of chicken.

“It really is.” Adriana agrees

“Glad you both like it.” I tell them and dig into my plate.

We bullshit for a while after eating when Ty gets up from the table.

“I’m ready to hit the pool. Babe, you coming?” He asks Heather.

“Yeah. I’m coming with ya. Adriana, you in?” She turns the question to Adriana.

“Why not? Cole?” It’s like a round robin with Adriana asking me.

“Yeah, I’m in. Ty! Don’t step foot in that pool before me! I haven’t even been in it yet.” I yell at my brother.

“Whatever, don’t make me shove you in then.” He barks back at me.

With that, I get up from my chair and jog to the pool and cannonball in. .

“Thanks, Cole!” Heather yells at me after breaking through the water as I wipe my eyes.

“It’s not like you weren’t coming in, sis. I don’t know why you’re mad.” I retort.

With that she jumps in and heads towards me, which makes me swim in the other direction, but I missed Adriana getting in since she’s right there on the other side of me.

“This is how it’s going to be?” Raising my eyebrows with my question to Adriana.

“I mean, we’re friends, but Heather’s a best friend.” She replies, putting her hands on her hips.

Moving to stand right in front, before leaning my head down with my lips next to her ear.

“I can be your best friend, too.” I whisper before grabbing her hips and since she’s too stunned to talk, I pick her up and put her in front me as I face Heather.

“What are you doing, Cole?” Heather asks wearily.

“Protecting myself. What are you going to do now?” I egg her on.

“I’ll stand down for now. But watch your back, buddy.” Heather says while squinting her eyes trying to intimidate me.

Pulling Adriana a little closer to my front before saying, “Sorry, I wasn’t ready to be double teamed yet.”

Adriana turns around and splashes me. “Not cool sir. Not cool.”

That one splash causes us to act like kids again, horsing around in the pool for hours. Chicken fights, races, and good old floaties. It’s been a good day.

Hell, it’s been a good start to the season too. We haven’t lost a game yet and my new bed had me sleeping like a baby last night.

“I’m getting out. I’m hungry and ready to lounge in sweats.” Ty says as he starts to ascend the stairs of the pool.

“Ditto.” That comes from Adriana.

“Pizza and a movie?” I ask the group. “Need to break in the movie room.”

“You know I love pizza, Cole. That’s not fair.” Heather replies.

“You don’t have to stay. I can order a pizza for myself and hangout.” I sympathize.

“Now I want pizza, so we’re staying. Adriana?” Heather asks her.

“Pizza and a movie sounds good to me.” she replies.

Adriana seems like she doesn’t want to leave the group. Huh, I wonder what that’s about.