Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Cole

Adriana is walking up the stairs in front of me and I can’t help but to check her out. I don’t care that she’s in sweats, she’d be fucking stunning in a damn potato sack. It’s like her curves were tailor made for me. When she fell asleep on my shoulder, I couldn’t help but to make her comfortable so she could continue to nap, and my hand fit perfectly on her hip.

Every time she’s near me I can’t help but only see her. There is this feeling that happens when I touch her, like earlier in the pool today and tonight. It just felt so normal to be hanging out watching a movie like that.

Like we’ve done it before a million times.

I almost stopped in my tracks when we were heading downstairs when my brain registered what my eyes were seeing. Adriana with my name and number on the back?. Something inside my chest roared with pride. It’s not something I’ve felt before, not even with Layla in my jersey. All of this just makes me want to get to know her more.

As friends, Cole .

I know that’s a lie, but I’m not ready to admit that yet.

“Thanks for hanging out tonight, you lot.” I say as we meet Heather and Ty at the front door.

“Thank you for hosting.” Adriana replies.

“Thanks, bro. We enjoyed hanging out. See ya tomorrow.” Ty says.

“See you guys tomorrow.” I confirm.

They head out and I make my way around the house, locking up. Making my way up to my bedroom, I strip down to my boxers and get into bed. Turning on the tv and leaving it on whatever movie is playing.

I grab my phone from the side table and start scrolling through social media. I stop on a video that talks about once you give a girl a hoodie, it’s no longer yours and of course my mind goes straight back to the dark-haired beauty. I back out of the app to go to my text messages.

Cole: I’m never getting that hoodie back, am I?

It takes a few minutes, but she replies.

Adriana: Did you really want it back?

Cole: Not if you’re going to keep wearing it.

Adriana: It is pretty comfortable.

Cole: It’s my favorite one.

Adriana: Was.

Cole: Was what?

Adriana: Was your favorite one.

Cole: Because I’m not getting it back?

Adriana: Because now it’s my favorite.

Cole: Good, that means every time you wear it you’ll think of me ;)

Adriana: Are you flirting with me?

Cole: I’m not telling.

Adriana:

Cole: What?

Adriana: Thank you for today. It was nice to hang out with you guys.

Cole: I hope you know that you’re always welcome to hang out.

Cole: And don’t think that we can’t hang out without the lovebirds.

Adriana: I appreciate it.

Cole: I mean it. I don’t do much. You can always come here and hang out if I’m home.

Adriana: Thank you. It’s very sweet of you. Don’t think I can’t make my own friends?

Well shit, I hope that didn’t come across that way. Does she think I’m an asshole now?

Cole: It’s not that. I just like hanging out with you.

Adriana: That’s really sweet.

Adriana: You’re not so bad. Get to bed! You have a game tomorrow and I will not be to blame if you play crappy sir.

Cole: Yes ma’am. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Checking the time, I guess the woman isn’t wrong. I turn the volume on the tv down and lay down as my eyes close. A smile is still on my face while drifting off to sleep.

We lost. It’s the first loss of the season and while we know that we won’t always win, the first one is tough. The mood in the locker room is somber as we all are just ready to go home, lick our wounds and come back and get that W tomorrow.

Sean comes back to his locker next to mine while I’m getting dressed.

“Well, that sucked.” Sean says as he gets dressed.

“Yup. I hate the first loss of the season.” I agree.

“Same. We will turn it around tomorrow.” he says.

“We better.” I state bluntly.

“You all set in the house yet?” Sean questions.

We haven’t really talked much outside of the clubhouse and I feel bad about that now.We used to go out all the time prior to my fallout with Layla.

“Yeah. It’s all set. Now I get to enjoy it.” I tell him.

“I still can’t believe you live next door to your brother. Don’t you get sick of him?” He responds.

“He doesn’t have a choice of getting sick of me.” Ty says dryly with annoyance..

I hate that Ty isn’t the biggest fan of Sean’s. Sean and I came up together in the farm system once we were both drafted out of college. Ty says there is something that is just off about him and he tries too hard to fit in, but I think it just comes from being the only child that was put in the middle of a nasty divorce. His parents still go at it when they’re in the same room.

“It’s just us. And he knows how to leave me alone. His wife, on the other hand.” I say, laughing and looking at my brother.

“What has she got you doing now?” Sean asks.

“Nothing, I just like giving Ty a hard time.” I say while laughing and giving Ty a nudge.

Ty looks at me with the yeah right look while Sean is cackling.

“You ready to head home?” I ask Ty so I can get away from being in between these two.

“Yeah, Heather said they were going to wait for us.” Ty replies.

“They?” Sean asks.

“Don’t worry about it.” Ty states, annoyed yet again.

Why does he do this to me? I’m just happy these two don’t have to work together much on the field for the team to be cohesive.

“You don’t have to be an asshole Tyler.” Sean states with a hint of anger.

“I know. Let’s go.” Ty turns around and starts walking towards the door.

“You know how he is. I’ll chat with you later.” I tell Sean.

“Yeah, I do.” Sean says, rolling his eyes.

With that, we head towards the door together. Once we get through the doors, I see Ty. He’s already standing with Heather and Adriana.

“Who is with Heather?” Sean inquires

“That’s Adriana.” I reply curtly.

“That’s Adriana? The woman that Ty told me not to go near?”

“Yeah.” I grit out.

“I might not be able to do that. She’s drop dead gorgeous.” He says.

“You don’t have a choice in the matter.” I state to him, hoping he gets my drift.

“Oh?” is all Sean replies with.

I break away from him and walk up behind Ty and clap him on the back as I come to stand next to him.

“Ladies.”

“Tough loss Cole. I’m sorry.” Heather says as she comes to hug me.

“Definitely sucks.” I agree.

“You’ll get’em back tomorrow. I have faith.” Adriana says, and she surprises me by coming to me for a hug.

I hug her back and inhale her scent, and all seems right in the world again. Normally, this feeling doesn’t come to me unless I’m out on the field. But Adriana, she gives me that same peace that being on the field, behind home plate, and in the batters box gives me.

Fuck, what am I going to do? She just wants to be friends. I let go of her and we each step back.

“Hey Heather. How are you?” Sean says as he inserts himself into our little group.

He angles towards Adriana with his hand out. “I’m Sean, this guy’s best friend.”

I have never wanted to punch him in the face more. What the fuck does he think he’s doing?

“Hi, I’m Adriana.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sean gives her his megawatt smile. And yet, she doesn’t seem the least impressed by him.

“You too.” are the only words Adriana gives him.

My chest might be puffing out just a little with her reaction to him.

“What are you guys up to tonight?” Sean pushes for information.

“Heading home. Have to get ready for tomorrow’s game.” Ty says in a clipped tone.

“You too, Cole?” Sean looks to see if I’m following suit.

“Yeah, man. We’re not going to win if we aren’t on our A game.” I say as a reminder for him not to go out and get drunk..

“True. But I think a few of us are only going to go get dinner. Sure you don’t want to join?”Sean double checks..

“I’m good. See you tomorrow.” I leave no room for debate on my answer.

I know he just wants to get the lowdown on Adriana and I’m not ready to do that. She isn’t of concern to him.

“See ya.” and with that Sean is heading over to another group of the guys.

“Let’s head out.” I suggest.

We walk out and this time we make sure that Heather is with Adriana and I’m with Ty so it’s not as weird. The press knows now that Adriana works under Heather and helps with the non-profit so they aren’t as crazy about another woman being with us.

“See you at home babe.” Ty says to Heather as he gets in the driver seat of his truck.

“Have a good night, ladies.” I tell them and hop into the passenger seat.

“We’ll do better tomorrow.” Ty says to break the silence.

“I know. Still blows.” I try to convince us both.

“That it does. What are you going to do tonight?” he responds.

“Grilling some chicken and veg out. You?” I return the question.

“Spending the evening with my wife.” He says while wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

“Well, aren’t you husband of the year.” I laugh at his antics.

“You are just jealous. It’s not my fault that Layla was batshit crazy. I told you not to do it.” he reminds me.

“I know, I know. It’s fine. At least she’s out of my life now.” I concede.

“Thank the heavens for that.” he says.

We bullshit for the rest of the drive about the game. We make it back to Ty’s and I hop out of the truck, say goodbye, and start walking over to my house. It’s been a shitty day and I’m ready for it to end.

Three more games till a day off and then we hit the road for two weeks.

Making it home, I change and cook dinner. Deciding to eat in the living room, I put on Chicago P.D. and enjoy being alone in my house not having to worry about anything but tomorrow’s game. Well, that’s until I feel myself nodding off and take my ass up to bed.

Laying down in bed, Adriana’s scent hits me all over again. And now I’m thinking about her. All I want to do is slide my hands over her hips to grab her ass and pull her into me. To feel her skin on mine and to find out if her body fits with mine. Fuck, now I’m hard.

Cole, you can’t jerk off to your sister-in-law’s employee and friend. Your own friend . Isn’t that what you offered her?

I did, but this fucking scent of hers is driving me crazy. Tomorrow I’m changing my sheets. I throw the bedding off me to head to the bathroom. I turn the shower to be ice cold and get in. It’s been months since I wasn’t able to go out and do anything. Not that I wanted to, anyway.

The cold temperature of the water isn’t helping me in the slightest. The thought of Adriana in my arms, her body melding with mine, is still there. I slowly startto pump my shaft with light pressure and it’s not enough. I quicken my speed and squeeze harder, imagining its Adriana’s hand instead. I picture her kissing me before she gets on her knees to take me in her mouth.

Fuck , I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I need this. Maybe this will get her out of my head. Maybe it’s only because she’s the first woman I’ve interacted with that wants nothing from me. She isn’t some cleat chaser looking for a payday.

I can see her taking as much of me as she can and keeping a tempo that drives me wild. I pump faster and harder and before I can think again about how I shouldn’t be doing this, I brace one hand on the wall and spill out onto the floor of the shower while whispering “Adriana”.

Holy shit. I can’t believe I just did that. Feeling some relief, and I hope it's enough, I finish my shower and head back to bed. I fall asleep chastising myself that I can’t do that again.

You don’t even know if she’s into you, dumbass .