Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Cole

I lock my phone and put it back on the charger next to the bed. I’m in a state of shock as Ty comes out of the bathroom of our shared hotel room. He doesn’t notice me at first since he’s looking down at his phone. Ty walks to his bed and sits on it, and then looks over at me.

“What’s wrong?” Ty asks with concern.

“Adriana texted me because Heather showed her another picture she took.” I respond to him.

“What picture?” he says while looking clueless.

“Your wife snuck a picture of us that night when we watched a movie at my place when she fell asleep and I had my arm around her.” Showing him the picture as I finish speaking.

“She didn’t tell or show me that one, just the one from yesterday.” He whines.

“She sent it to me that night.” I smugly tell him.

“Oh?” he questions.

“Oh what?” I volley back to him.

“Just surprised you haven’t mentioned it to me.” Ty says with a grin.

“I haven’t mentioned it to anyone.” Telling him the truth because I haven’t mentioned or showed anyone.

“And why is that, little brother?” he pushes.

“Don’t, little brother me.”

“Just trying to figure out what is going on in that head of yours.”

“You and me both.”

“Are you ready to jump back into dating? I know after things with Layla, you weren’t so eager to.”

“I wasn’t. I haven’t been. But Adriana? Damn,I feel that there is something there, and it makes me want to try again.”

“You know I love and trust you. I don’t think you’re fucking around here and wanting to get to know her, but I have to say this because my wife adores her. Heather approves. She says she sees the sparks between the two of you. She thinks she would be good for you. And I don’t disagree. Especially since you aren’t into the whole carousel of cleat chasers and going out like some of the other guys.”

“You aren’t wrong there. I know I give you shit for settling down, but seeing you and Heather and what you share makes me want to strive for more. You guys remind me so much of mom and dad.” I take a breath remembering how mom and dad were so happy to just be together anywhere. “I know we don’t talk about it often, but I want any family I have to be close with yours. The thing is, I want what mom and dad had. I miss seeing them dance in the kitchen while mom was making dinner, and she had the music on. Seeing them watching a movie on the couch or sitting in the backyard enjoying a summer night. I know I spend a lot of time with you and Heather, but you guys need your own space. I don’t want to be the permanent third wheel. Something deep in my bones tells me that Adriana might be the person to change my world.” I tell him.

“Cole, first off you never infringe on Heather and I. We want you around. You are not only my little brother, but you are also my best friend. Yes, so is Heather, but it’s different. Even when we start that part of our family. I hope you know we want you involved as much as you want to be. I know that’s why you bought the house next door to us. If you think she could be the one, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. Adriana has a good head on her shoulders and she isn’t here for who you are or what you can offer her.”

“That’s exactly it. That’s what draws me in. She told me she needed friends, but I was just very honest with her and told her I wanted to get to know her as more than friends. I’m just worried I might have scared her off completely.”

“What was her response?”

“She asked for time.”

“Well knucklehead, that’s not a no.” he says to me.

“Yeah, I know. But it’s not a yes either.” I say, feeling a little defeated.

“No, it’s not, but that also means you can continue to be her friend and show her who you are.” Ty is giving good advice as usual.

“You know you aren’t half bad at these talks.” I say with a chuckle.

“Thanks? I feel like I should be offended, but I’ll let it slide cause I’m fucking tired and we have another game tomorrow.” He jokes with me.

“Night bro.” I say, turning to face away from him.

“Night.” Ty says and turns the tv off.

“Just saying King sure did like how she looked in his jersey.”

“Fuck all the way off. She looks better in mine.” I growl out.

Ty chuckles while I lay in bed just thinking about the two intense conversations I just had. Well, one was intense, and the other was unexpected. Ty’s right. I just have to be me. Maybe when we get home from this road trip, I’ll see if she wants to hangout without the lovebirds and see if I can get her to change her mind about dating.

It’s the last series of this road trip and we just got back to the hotel in Colorado. I can’t wait to get home. Two weeks on the road can be rough on the body and I’m ready for my bed.

“Hey, I have our keys for our room. They needed to change our room.” Ty says as he comes up to me.

“Hey.” This comes from right and I look over to see Sean.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“A group of us are going to grab dinner. You guys in?”

“No thanks. We have dinner plans already.” Ty answers for both of us.

“Sorry, man. Next time.” I tell Sean.

“Yeah, man.” He says and turns to walk to some of the other guys.

Ty and I walk over to the elevators. I’m annoyed at him for what just happened. I know he isn’t the biggest fan of Sean’s, but he shouldn’t be interfering with my friendship like that. The elevator doors open and we step in. Ty hits the floor number and just stands there.

“What was that about? If you have plans, that’s cool. Just because you don’t like the guy doesn’t mean you can dictate my plans.”

“You have plans, you just don’t know it yet. You’ll thank me later.”

“What fucking plans?”

“You’ll see in a few minutes.”

I huff. I’m mad now. What the hell is going on? This is not normal for my brother. He’s pretty much a straight shooter, so him being evasive just makes me think he doesn’t want me hanging with the group that was going to dinner. To be fair, they tend to get in some trouble with the media, but it hasn’t been anything crazy.

The elevator dings and the doors open. I didn’t even pay attention to the floor number and I haven’t seen the keycard holder to know the room number. I follow Tyler out and down the hall. I look around. It seems the rooms are further apart on this floor. I don’t see any of our teammates either.

Ty stops at the door and turns around. He looks over at me and now I’m starting to think something is wrong.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask him, dripping with annoyance.

“Just wanted to see your mood first.” He tells me.

“Huh?” Now I’m confused.

He doesn’t answer me, instead he just turns around and puts the keycard to the reader. The door beeps and unlocks. He opens the door and walks in. I roll my eyes and follow him.

“Hey Handsome! I’ve missed you.” I hear Heather before I see her.

I stop in my tracks. Heather’s here? Why is she here? Is Adriana with her? I haven’t heard from her since she said she needed time. I wanted to just say hi and see how it was going, but didn’t want to push. I shake my head to snap out of my thoughts because I have to continue walking into the suite before it seems weird.

I walk the rest of the way into the hotel room and see it’s actually a suite with two rooms. In front of me, Heather and Ty are embracing each other. I hear a door close to my left and turn my head. She is here. I don’t know if this is good or bad because we are in Colorado. And this is where she’s from and that dumbass that hurt her is still here. What if she came with Heather to see him? What if she tells me she’s getting back together with him? Wait, there are two bedrooms in this suite. That means there are only two beds. Where am I going to sleep? Where is she going to sleep? Why am I worried about this? It’s not like we are dating, so we aren’t sharing a bed. She hasn’t even given me a sign that she wants or is interested in that.

She looks beautiful in her jeans that fit her perfectly without looking like they were painted on. She has a pink zip on that makes her skin glow and a black shirt underneath. And a pair of black chucks on. She’s comfy and I love that she doesn’t feel the need to dress up all the time, only when the occasion calls for it.

“Hey there.” I say.

“Hey Cole.”

“Hi Brother!” Heather says and comes to give me a hug.

As I hug Heather back she whispers in my ear “Good surprise?”. She planned this. All I can do is squeeze her a little harder and nod my head so I don’t give our conversation away. Now it makes sense that Ty didn’t leave any room for me to say I didn’t have plans. Suddenly, I’m no longer annoyed at my big brother.

“No hug for me?” Adriana asks as she puts her hand on hips.

“You get a hug too.” I tell her and pull her into a hug.

“When did you two get in?” I ask as I let go of her.

“About an hour ago. We wanted to make sure we got here before you two did to surprise you guys.” Heather tells us.

“You knew about this?” I ask Ty.

“Kind of. Heather mentioned they might come out. I only got confirmation right before we took off today.” Ty clues me in.

“Are we a good surprise?” Adriana asks.

“The best.” I tell her.

“What do you ladies want to do for dinner? Room service, or do we go out?” Ty asks.

Adriana and Heather look at each other and nod.

“I’d love to go out to eat, babe. Adriana was telling me about a great steak house nearby.” Heather responds.

“Adriana, what about you?? Ty asks.

“I wouldn’t mind ordering room service and watching a movie.” Adriana says holding my gaze.

I must look like a mannequin because I don’t move. Or at least I don’t feel it if I do. The words from my brother come back to me of just being myself.

“I’d rather stay in and have a chill night.” I say.

“Looks like the deck is split. Adriana, you good with you and Cole hanging out if Ty and I go out to eat?” Heather asks with a Cheshire Cat grin.

“Yeah, I’m good with it if Cole is.” She says with a sly grin.

It’s like she knows that I won’t pass up the chance to hang out with her.

“I’m definitely good with that.” I return her grin.

“Great, hubby, let’s go get freshened up and head out then.” Heather says, and she heads to the room on the left where Adriana came out of.

“I’m going to throw my stuff in the room and change. We can look at the menu and order after.” I tell Adriana.

“That sounds good. I’m going to change too.” She says before walking away.

I can’t help but watch her walk away from me until she’s behind closed doors.

My dick twitches at the thought of the two of us being alone tonight . Don’t you start . And now I’m talking to my cock.