Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Adriana

Just as Heather and I finish our meeting with the venue, my phone rings. I see it’s Dani and answer.

“Where you at chicka?” I ask Dani

“On your street. Where should I park?”

“You can park in the driveway. There is a free space in front of one of the garage doors. I’ll come out.”

“Sounds good.”

“Heather, I’m heading outside to meet Dani.”

“Okay! I’m going to go change my top and come right back down.”

I head out the back door and over to the driveway. I see Dani’s car pulling up a moment later. I wait for her to put her car in park and run over to her as she’s getting out.

“I’ve missed you!” I say as I hug her.

“Awww, bestie, I missed you too.” she says as she returns the hug.

“Grab your bag so we can head inside and you can officially meet Heather.”

Dani closes her driver's side door and opens the back to grab her bag. Once she’s all set, we head back into the house.

As soon as we get into the kitchen, Heather is walking back in too.

“Hi Dani! I’m so happy you’re here.” She says as she comes to hug Dani.

“It’s nice to meet you in the flesh. Thank you for having me.”

“Let’s go sit down in the living room.” Heather says and we follow her into the room.

I sit down on the love seat and Dani and Heather sit on the couch.

“What’s new woman?” I ask Dani.

“Honestly, not much. Just started dating someone.”

“You, ma’am are in so much trouble! When did this happen? We Facetimed last week.” I say while pointing at her with my eyes squinting.

“After we spoke. We had been texting and calling, but we finally went out on a date.”

“And?!”

“And I enjoyed myself. We are going out again on Sunday.”

“What’s his name, what does he do and where’s he from?” Heather asks.

“His name is Roger. He’s a firefighter in New York City and it’s also where he was born and raised.”

“Get it girl!” Heather says.

“Thank you! Since Heather’s married, I don’t have to ask her. But Ms. Adriana has anyone caught your eye since moving?”

“Oh yes, Adriana has anyone?” Heather sasses.

“I plead the fifth.”

“Yeah, I think not, bitch. Spill the tea now!” Dani says sternly.

“Fine. Yes, there is a guy that caught my eye. But I’m not ready. I don’t know if I want to open myself up to that yet.” I take a second and then continue. “ Do I think about it? How can I not with being around the lovebirds all time? Do I trust that any man isn’t going to break my heart again yet? Fuck no. Do I think this guy would? I’d say the chances are slim because of who he is. I just think I need more time. Or something. I don’t know.”

“Adri, I say this with all the love. Buck the fuck up. I know Toby broke your heart. But look at you since it’s happened. You’ve moved clear across the country. It seems you are kicking ass in the job department and you’re rebuilding your life without him to include some pretty kick ass people.’ Dani says.

“I know. I’m super thankful. Life is turning around. I just don’t know if I could deal with that loss again.”

“Wait, who is the guy?” Dani asks.

“My brother-in-law.” Heather says as a matter-of-factly.

“Cole Evans?”

“Yup, and let me tell you. He’s into her too.” Heather answers before I can.

“Oh, is he?”

“Yup, look at these pictures.” Heather says and scoots over to show Dani what’s on her phone.

“OMG, look at how cute they are! Oh, that’s precious!” Dani says

“They? The picture I saw was of just me.”

“That one was. Check your phone.”

I pull my phone from my pocket and sure enough, there is a text from Heather. I open it up and there is a picture from when we were watching a movie at his place. It’s me sleeping with Cole’s hoodie on and he has an arm wrapped around me. It really is adorable.

“Boss lady, why do you do this to me? Does he have a copy of this one, too?” I ask her.

“He has the other one?” Dani asks.

“He sure does. And yes, he does have this one too.”

I bury my face in my hands.

“And what did he have to say about these photos when you sent them?” I ask because, well, now I’m curious.

“Maybe you should ask him.” Dani says

“Oh, yes. I like that answer.” Heather agrees.

“Why do I need to ask him when you’re here?”

“Because we said so.” Heather says.

“I’ll ask him when I see him next.” I say so I can try to dodge doing that.

“No, we should have Heather call him now so you don’t lose your nerve.” Dani says.

“She doesn’t need me to call him. She has his number.” Heather snorts.

“Oh really? Why don’t you just text him then?” Dani

“Because he’s playing a game right now?”

“Fine. Heather, we must make sure before the night is over that she does in fact text him.”

“Dani, I think we are going to be great friends.” Heather says laughing.

“Whatever you two.”

“Let’s watch the game and then we can do dinner and drinks.” Heather says as she puts the game on the tv.

“That was a good game. King pitched perfectly.”

“He is fucking fine.” Dani says.

“What’s for dinner?” I ask, trying to steer the convo from baseball. I hope they will forget about earlier if we don’t talk about anything related to Cole.

“Pizza and drinks?” Heather asks.

“Sounds good.” I agree.

“I’m in.” Dani replies.

“I’m going to go order while I make drinks for us. Dani, is there any alcohol you don’t like?”

“Vodka. We don’t get along.”

“Perfect cause we’re drinking with Adriana’s favorite man Jack tonight.”

Heather leaves to the kitchen and Dani stares me down.

“What is going on with you and Cole?” she starts her integration.

Ugh. I knew this was coming. I’m going to have to say my feelings out loud now.

“We are friends. He’s been super sweet and helpful since I’ve arrived, and we all hang out a lot together.” I fill her in, reluctantly.

“Adri, I know you better than that.” She says pointedly.

“I hate that for me right now. Okay, I’m attracted to him. I’m not blind. He can be a little flirty but I chalk it up to him being him. The man is most definitely chipping away at my walls, though.”

“Let him. You don’t know if he can be the one if you don’t let him try.”

“I know. But what if he isn’t? I thought Toby was, and I was so off about him.”

Heather walks in with three glasses and hands one to Dani and one to me, then sits back down on the couch.

“Heather, is Cole a good guy?” Dani asks her.

“He’s the second best guy I know. Obviously, my husband is first. But it makes sense since they’re brothers.” She responds.

“You have someone vouching for him. Do you trust Heather?” Dani asks me point blank.

“Of course I trust Heather. But what if it didn’t work out? I love my job and this life I’ve created now.”

“Well, your job would never be in question. You are also now one of my best friends and I would never cast you away. No one is saying you have to do anything you don’t want to do, but babe, I wish you could see the two of you from the outside. You both kind of gravitate to each other. Cole looks at you how Tyler looked at me when we first met. This does not get repeated, you two. Promise?”

“Promise.” Dani and I both say.

“A few weeks before your interview and meeting us, Cole came over to hang out cause we wanted to tell him about this house and how we’re going to be putting an offer for it. We told him the house next door was for sale and he made an appointment with our realtor to see it the next day right then and there. I asked him why and he said he wanted to be close when we start a family and us for him when he does. I asked with him and Layla breaking up if he felt like he could settle down. He told me he hopes the next relationship would be his forever because while he might give his brother shit about settling down, he was envious because his brother was starting his family and it’s something he wants and would like to do with his brother too since it’s just them. He’s tired of the single athlete life and people using him. I honestly wouldn’t encourage you if I thought he’s still in his fuck boy era because I value who you are to me too much.”

I’m a deer caught in headlights. That’s a lot to take in, but at the same time I can tell how sincere she is and the honesty radiating off her.

“I need another drink. Anyone else?” I ask getting up because I need a moment to myself to process.

“I’m good. Thanks.” That comes from Dani.

“I’ll take another.” Heather hands me her glass.

I walk into the kitchen, set our glasses down on the counter and grab the soda and jack from the fridge. It’s my turn to get Heather back for our first girls night. I make both our drinks strong because I know I need it if I’m going to deal with those two for the rest of the night.

“Here you go, lady.” I hand Heather her drink and go back to the love seat.

“Let’s watch a movie.” Dani says, and I know it’s because she knows I need to breathe from the Cole conversation.

Heather picks up the remote and puts on Twilight.

“Great pick.” I tell her.

“Right? We can just veg out now. I’m sorry if I upset you.” Heather

“You didn’t. I’m just processing.” I tell her.

We watch and comment on the movie and all the things that are horrible and funny while we continue to drink. It’s honestly so nice to have girlfriends, but girlfriends that get along too is something I was missing in life and didn’t know until tonight.

The movie ends and Heather looks over at Dani and then to me and asks “Are we watching New Moon next?”

“Yes.” Dani and I reply at the same time.

We all take a potty break and change into our pj’s and pile back on the couch to watch the second movie.

“Do you have a blanket?” Dani asks Heather.

“I do. Adriana, do you want one too?”

“That’d be great. I’m a little cold.”

“Be right back.”

Heather gets up and goes somewhere in the house. She comes back with two blankets and a hoodie. She hands a blanket to Dani and then the other one and a hoodie to me. I roll my eyes, but that hoodie is so comfy and warm. I put it on and then get cozy with the blanket. Now that I’m settled and back to watching the movie.

“I’ll be right back. Ty’s calling.” Heather says as she gets up and walks out the living room to speak with him. She comes back shortly after.

“He called to see how the meeting went and to see what was going on here.” She says, walking back into the room.

“That’s so sweet. I hope to have that one day.” Dani says.

“Awwww Ty’s the best.” I say.

“He really is.” Heather says and we all go back to the movie.

I grab my phone and look at the picture of me and Cole. Would he be like that if I gave him a chance? Why would he even want a chance with me? He dates models and actresses. I’m just a girl from Colorado.

Fuck it, I’m going to listen to the girls.

Adriana: Picture So you have this one too?

Cole: I might.

Adriana: Might?

Cole: I do.

Adriana: And you weren’t going to share with the class?

Cole: I wasn’t sure how’d you feel about it.

Adriana: How do you feel about it?

Cole: I happen to think it’s one of the best pictures I’ve ever seen. What do you think?

Adriana: It is very cute.

Cole: So you wouldn’t be mad if I made it your contact photo?

Adriana: Why would you want that picture to be the one? I’m not even looking at the camera. I’m sleeping in it.

Cole: Because you’re in my arms.

Adriana: Cole Evans.

Cole: Yes?

Adriana: You’re making this hard

Cole: What do you mean?

Adriana: I told you I needed friends. But you, sir, are not making it easy to want to keep you there.

Cole: Sorry?

Adriana: Are you? Cause I don’t think you’re that sorry. I think that’s your master plan.

I see the bubbles appear and stop and appear, then stop again. What is wrong with me? Why did I listen to the girls?

Adriana: Forget I asked. You don’t have to tell me.

Cole: And if I want to tell you?

Adriana: I don’t know if I’m ready to hear it.

Cole: Listen, I’m just going to put it out there and then we can go from there. I do want to be your friend.

Adriana: That’s good.

Cole: But Adriana, I don’t want to just be your friend. I want to see if there could be more to us than that.

Adriana: I do like the honesty.

Cole: It’s the only way to be. It’s how I was raised.

Adriana: Me too.

Cole: It’s also the only way I’ll find out if you feel the same way.

Adriana: Would you be upset If I said I need time to think?

Cole: No, you take your time. I’m not going anywhere.

Adriana: Thank you Cole. You played great today.

Cole: Thank you. It’s nice to know you were watching.

Adriana: Night Co

Cole: Night darlin’

Well, now I need to figure out if I’m brave enough to let him in or if he’s going to be kept at arm’s length.

With that, I can feel my eyelids closing and I let them because I’m not figuring this out right now.