Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Adriana

I head into the room that Heather and I are sharing to change.

“You good?” Heather asks me.

“Nervous, but I’m good. You and Dani were right last weekend. I deserve to be happy and not let small dick Toby keep me from finding my happy ending. If I don’t put myself out there, then it’ll never happen. We don’t have to jump right in, but I think this is a step in the right direction.” I’m being honest with not only Heather, but myself.

“It’s always been the four of us outside of when Cole picked you up from the airport. I think it’ll be good for you to see what’s it's like one on one.” Heather says as she puts on a little black dress.

“Agreed. Now you are going to make your man’s jaw drop in that dress. I can sleep on the couch if needed, ma’am.” I tell Heather.

“If anything, it’ll be Cole on the couch. You are a queen that deserves a bed. But I made sure the couch is a pullout just in case. You know you could put on a little black dress, too.” She says while putting perfume on and shaking her ass towards me.

“You’ve lost your damn mind, woman! I’m not wearing a LBD for a Netflix and chill night.” I tell her with the most exaggerated eye roll.

“Why not? It’ll really set the mood.” She tells me with a smirk and waggle of her eyebrows.

I smack myself on the head because I realize what I just said. Netflix part sure, not the chill part. Yet.

“Not that kind of Netflix and chill. You are something else, woman!” I laugh. “Go have fun! See you later.” I say. Hopefully, she’ll stop putting ideas in my head.

“Don’t act like the thought of Cole naked hasn’t crossed your dirty little mind.”

Heather leaves the room cackling. Changing into my favorite black sweats, Sleep Token t-shirt and corgi fuzzy socks, I look at myself in the mirror to make sure my hair isn’t a mess since I have it down and curled. I hear Cole come out of their room with Ty as he says goodbye. I take one last look at myself in the mirror, take a deep breath and head out of the room to the living room area.

Cole is sitting on the couch with the room service menu already. He’s wearing gray sweats with a black t-shirt on and he looks so good just sitting there. I shake my head and make my way over to the couch.

“Is this seat taken?” I ask as I point to the seat on the couch right next to him.

“All yours.” He says patting the seat.

“Did you have plans? I would feel awful if you canceled them. I can totally hang out here by myself. It’s not a big deal.” I blurt out while sitting down next to him.

Cole looks at me like I’m crazy.

“A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t have to spend any Friday night alone.” He tells me. “And no, I didn’t have any plans. Some guys from the team are going to dinner and invited me. Ty told them I already had plans, and I’m glad he did.”

“Are you sure? I’d be okay here if you wanted to go meet them.” I assure him.

“I’m positive. I was actually going to call when I got back into town to see if you wanted to hangout one night. This just gave me the chance for it to happen sooner. I’d be a fool to not take it.” Cole says.

This man has now caught me off guard. He is completely honest and upfront. I need to have this conversation before the night moves forward, so he knows where I stand.

“Well, when you put it like that. Okay. I just wanted to check. Would you be okay with talking before we order food?” I finish and peek a glance at him. Cole looks nervous, like I’m about to crush his soul.

Hopefully, he’s okay with my decision.

“You can always talk to me.” He says.

“Okay, but I need you to just let me get this out before you respond. Can you do that for me?” I ask.

“If that’s what you need, then yes.” Cole says as he moves to turn his body to give me his full attention.

“I know I told you I needed time. Which, thank you for that. I don’t know that most men would have had the same reaction as you. There is an undeniable attraction between us. I know I can be awkward, but it’s because I get nervous around you.” I say, fidgeting with my hands.

Case in point. It’s not as bad when others are around, but like this? I can’t help it. Maybe it’s because we are alone so rarely.

“With that being said, I get nervous because I really do like being around you. That we could be more than friends and, after Toby, it scares the shit out of me. The thought of dating has been the furthest thing from my mind. But then you, this incredible and unexpected man, are now in front of me. You are also a star athlete who travels all over the country and, more than likely, has plenty of women who throw themselves at you. If some Joe Smoe could cheat on me, then what about you?

“I know I’m not the usual model or actress that you could date, either. I have curves and I’m not blonde. This is not me accusing you of being a cheater. To be clear, I don’t think you are. If anything, I think the exact opposite. You have done nothing but show me who you are. But I also realized that if I don’t put myself out there, then I might never find my happily ever after. I know it’ll be hard, but nothing worth anything in life is easy.” I finish my first set of thoughts.

“Can I talk now?” he asks.

Shaking my head because I’m gathering up the nerves to finish letting him in.

“Okay.” He says.

“With all of that. Yes, I’d like to hangout more and get to know you and see if it turns into more. Would you be mad if I asked that we go slow? I’m terrified of being let down and all alone in the world again. You don’t have to answer now either. You can think about it too if you need.” I say with a shy smile.

I know I just dumped so much on him; I know I should have kept it shorter, but he needed to know where my head is at. What if he wants nothing to do with me more than just friends after all of that? Maybe I should have just told him I wanted to try but go slow.

I just hope I didn’t ruin us before we even began.

“Can I hold you for a second?” Cole cautiously asks me.

Oh shit, why does he want to hold me?

“That depends on if what you are going to say after is good or bad.” I tell him. The nerves settling back in.

“Do you really think I would say anything bad if I wanted, no needed you to be sitting on my lap right now?” Cole gives me an are you serious look.

With that response, it makes it a simple choice. I get up and stand in front of Cole, in between his legs. He grabs me by the waist and twists me, so I hit his lap with my feet on the couch. My arms go around his neck. We embrace each other and hold on a little harder. I go to pull back, but he stops me. Cole presses his forehead to mine and closes his eyes.

“I really want to kiss you right now. Is that too fast?” he whispers.

“No.” is all I whisper back to him.

He slowly tips my chin up and presses his lips lightly to mine. It’s a chaste kiss, but perfect in the moment. Cole takes a deep breath after.

“Thank you. That was a lot to take in there A, but let’s get into everything you said. First, I like that you get nervous around me as long as it’s a good nervous. Second, your awkwardness is adorable. It’s endearing and only makes me like you more. Third, no I’m not a cheater. Even when Layla and I weren’t together and the world thought we were, I didn’t go near a single woman in public or in secret. I get this small dick Toby is an asshole that fucked up, but I’m not him.” Cole stresses that last statement.

“I know you aren’t.” I whisper.

Cole nods at me before continuing.

“What I like most about you is that you are not like any woman I have dated before. Yes, some may have been models or actresses and yes, they were all blonde, but what you fail to notice is they don’t compare to you. You are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. With you the last thing I have to worry about is why you like me because I know it has nothing to do with my money or what celebrity status I have. You like me for me because while you might have known who I was when you met me, you didn’t make a big deal about it. You treat me and my family like we are normal people. And not to mention how you get along with them, too. It’s just as important for me that my family loves the person I’m with as much as I do.” Cole takes a breath.

I can tell that he isn’t finished yet. Cole moves his hand to cusp one side of my cheek. The amount of emotions that are swirling

“I know we haven’t known each other that long and we are just starting out, but you need to know and understand that no matter what happens with us, you will never be alone. I can’t promise you I won’t ever let you down, but I can promise no matter what, you will have people.” Coles says.

”Heather has issued her warning that if I hurt you , she’ll cut my balls off and if it doesn’t work out, I better be okay with still seeing you because you’re here to stay no matter what .” He says in a higher pitch.

The giggle that erupts from me has Cole laughing, too. I swear I hear him mutter that he loves the sound of it.

“To boot, Ty had the same conversation with me, too. They support us and have been in their own ways of making sure we know that. They have also been encouraging too. I can’t tell you what will become of us, but just know I’m swinging for the fences.” Cole finishes.

“You have a way with words there, Casanova.” I tell him.

“Just being honest. That’s something I can promise you. Always honesty.” he states, smiling.

“You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.” Telling him as I drop a kiss on his cheek.

Cole holds me for how long, I don’t know. Being with him like this is comforting. He isn’t chipping away at the walls I’ve built anymore. No, He’s gone and got a bulldozer.

“Should we order food?” Cole breaks the silence.

“Yes, please. I’m starving now.” I answer him as he picks up the menu that was next to him.

“Want to grab a few different ones off the menu and share?”

“Only if we can both agree.”

“Fair. Let me know what catches your eye.”

We both take a few to peruse over the hotel menu. A few dishes stick out and I know they’re what I want.

“Mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken wrap and the caesar salad. You?”

“I like those choices. The ribeye, mashed potatoes and sweet chili wings for my choices.” he answers me.

“You would share your steak?” I ask him, lifting one eyebrow in disbelief.

“I would share my steak. With you.” He tells me placing a kiss on my cheek.

This man.

“Sounds good.” I say and can’t help the smile that graces my face.

“How about I order the food while you pick something out to watch?” he offers.

“Sounds good. Anything off limits?” I ask.

“Just no crime or scary movies that involve a hotel.” he tells me with a chuckle.

Cole picks up the phone to call our order in while I go through the guide on the tv. Just before he gets off the phone, I see what we will watch for the rest of the night. I click on it and the channel changes.

“Food will be here within forty-five minutes. Harry Potter, huh?” he questions.

“Yes! It’s one of my favorite series. You are in luck. They’re playing all the movies back to back.” I inform him.

“Are you one of those people that get upset when someone tells you they haven’t ever seen a full movie in the series or read the books?” Cole inquires.

“Depends, is that what you’re telling me?” I ask, dead serious.

“I feel self conscious now. Don’t think I want to answer that.” he states.

“Come on Cole, tell me.” I demand sternly.

“Nope. I’m not telling.” He grins at his answer.

“Just tell me. I promise no judgment.” I try sounding sweet.

“I don’t believe you.” He tells me, shaking his head.

“Please?” I ask.

Cole just shakes his head again. I’m a little peeved because I want to know now. The intro to the movie plays and my heart feels happy. Harry Potter has always been something that is comforting for me.

Watching a movie sitting in Cole’s lap might be a new favorite pastime. He actually pays attention to the movie. All the while he rubs his hand up and down my arm. We both jump at the knock on the door.

“That’s the food. I’ll get it.” Cole says as he shifts back on the cushion.

“Dinner is served.” Cole says as he wheels over the cart with our food.

“It all smells great.” I salivate at the smells of everything we ordered.

“It does.” he agrees.

He sits back on the couch where he was next to me, and we eat. The food is actually good and we quickly go through most of the food.

“I can’t eat anymore.” I tell him.

“We didn’t even get to the wrap and steak yet. You’re tapping out?”

“Yes, I am. Oh, we can put the wrap away in the fridge. I can eat it later.”

“That isn’t a bad idea. I’ll put my steak in there too.”

“I’ll do it. I want to grab a hoodie and blanket before the next movie starts.”

“You just go do that and I’ll put them away.”

“Okay.”

I walk into my room, grab my blanket and his hoodie. Because it’s warm and comfy, I enjoy wearing it, and tonight it’ll bring him joy. I throw it on before I leave the room and head back out to the living room. Cole turns his head as I walk out and it takes him a moment to realize I have his hoodie on, but when he does, he gives me a huge ass smile.

“It really isn’t mine anymore, is it?” he asks me, not losing that smile.

“Do you really want it back?” I ask as I sit back down next to him.

“No, it looks better on you.” he compliments me.

“What time do you need to head to bed?” Knowing he has a game tomorrow, I want to be mindful of his schedule.

Cole checks his watch before answering me. I can see he’s calculating time.

“I would say midnight at the latest. I need to be up by eight thirty so I can get up to workout and eat breakfast.” He confirms a time.

“So we have time to watch another movie or two?” I ask.

“We do.” He says.

“Well, let’s get comfy.” I say, surprising him by going to sit back on his lap as the next movie starts.