Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

Adriana

Heather and I pull into the driveway. Today has been a lot of fun. We both found dresses for the gala and shoes to match. I forgot what having a shopping day with a girlfriend was like.

“Thank you for today. I had fun.” I tell Heather as we get out of her car.

“Thank you for coming. We need to do it again soon.” She says.

“Absolutely. I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, Dani said she’d be here around two tomorrow. See you later!” I say and head up the stairs to my place while Heather goes through the gate to get to the back door of hers.

Inside, I head straight to the closet to hang my dress up and put my other bags down. I grab my phone out of my purse and see that Cole had texted me.

Cole: I’m all alone.

Adriana: Sounds like a personal problem.

Cole: haha. You’re funny.

Adriana: I know. ;)

Cole: What am I going to do with you?

Adriana: I’m sure you have ideas.

Cole: I just might.

Adriana: Did you still want to come over?

Cole: I do. If you are up for company.

Adriana: Get over here before I change my mind Casanova.

Since I know it doesn’t take Cole long to get here from his place, I grab a change of clothes and change quickly. Just as I get his hoodie over my head, I hear a knock at the door.

I walk to the door and make sure it’s Cole before I open it.

“Hey Co.” I say as he walks in.

“Hi Gorgeous.” He says before he pulls me in for a hug.

Gah, I love this man’s bear hugs. They’re always just what I need. I pull back and close the door and lock it. I turn and head to the living room, knowing Cole will follow me.

I sit down on the couch and place my back to the armrest with my feet crisscross in front of me. Cole, of course, takes the seat next to me. He puts his hand on my knee.

“How was guy time with the team?” I ask.

“It was interesting. Especially after you and Heather left.”

“And why is that?” I inquire.

“Look, I’m not the boyfriend that tells you who you can and can’t talk to or hangout with.” Cole says.

“Boyfriend, huh?” I ask with one eyebrow up and a smirk.

“I did say all in.” he tells me.

I can’t help but smile at him. This man is sassing me.

“Do we need to define what that means?” He questions.

“No, I think I get it now, boyfriend.” I tell him.

Cole smirks and grabs me by the hips and moves me with ease, to straddle him with one leg on each side of him. I laugh at his antics and place an arm on each of his shoulders.

He leans in and kisses me. As he snakes his tongue out to run across my lips to open for him, my hands move to his hair at the back of his head. I have no question that this man is all about me right now. He has one hand on my waist and the other has made its way under my shirt and is working its way up my back until it’s at the back of my neck where he grips me.

Why is that so sexy?

Cole moves from my mouth and starts placing kisses across my jaw and down my neck. Fuck. I haven’t been with anyone since the last time with Toby. Just kissing this man has me getting so worked up and I’m not the only one. I can feel Cole harden below me. He isn’t small in the slightest. I move back and forth over him and damn; he feels thick too. The only thing separating us is just our clothes, but I can still feel him.

Cole lets out a groan when I move back and forth again. I let out a small whimper. He comes back up my neck to my jawline and then back to kissing me. Cole slows the kiss down from the feverish tempo we had before, placing one last kiss on my lips and leaning his forehead to mine.

“Baby, we need to stop because I really need to talk to you about something important as much as I would love to continue this,” He tells me and I can tell he’s serious.

I’ve only ever seen Cole look this serious when he’s on the field, so I know I need to let him get whatever he has to say out.

“Okay. What’s going on?” I ask him as I go to move back to my spot on the couch he moved me from.

Cole grabs my legs so that they’re now laying across his lap.

“Like I said, I’m not the boyfriend that would tell you who you can and can’t be friends with or be around, but with that said, I ask that you not to be left alone with Dylan Crawford.” he spurts out.

“Can I ask why?” I hedge.

“He said some things that not only I, but some guys on the team didn’t take kindly to about you after you and Heather left,” he tells me.

“Okay, I will do my best, babe. But if it’s for work, you know I can’t say no. I’ll try to have someone with me, but I can’t guarantee it.” I tell him.

What the fuck?! Dylan Crawford. I literally said all of like twenty words to him while Heather and I stopped by Cole’s today. Cole seems really weary of the guy. He was nice to us today, but I trust my man.

Sheesh, my man . I didn’t think I would say words like that anytime soon. I didn’t see this man coming at all. Life has a funny way of working.

“I know. Maybe you can just make sure you have your phone on you?” he asks.

“That I can do.” I confirm.

“Thank you for not acting like I’m being controlling or possessive,” he tells me with such sincerity.

“I know this is coming from a place of caring, Cole. How can I tell you that you are being ridiculous? I’m pretty confident that if you are having a conversation with me, then Ty is having one with Heather, too. Am I right?” I ask.

“Yeah, he and I both said that we didn’t trust him around you and her,” he confirms.

“See. I know you guys pretty well by now.” I tell him.

“I guess you do.”

“Can I ask what he said?” I ask.

“He said you were fucking hot, and that’s a no brainer because you are. He said we seem close and asked if I could hook him up with you. And I didn’t peacock and tell him you were already with me when he asked if I was afraid of competition. I told him it didn’t matter if I was interested or not, he was not to pursue you and that originally came from Ty, not me,” he informs me.

“Excuse me? Ty has said what?!” I ask.

Knowing Ty, it’s for a good reason, but this was before he even really knew me. I just want to make my own decisions.

“I know, I know. He didn’t want one of the guys fucking around with you and it not working out and then you leaving Heather high and dry. Heather also loves and adores you and he didn’t want to see the friendship you guys have diminish because of someone on the team. I didn’t say shit because I was working on getting you to give me a chance and his speech didn’t include me since I had Heather’s stamp of approval.”

I huff out a breath. Okay, I get it. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. It is very sweet that Ty loves Heather that much.

“Fine. But I’m so going to give him some shit about it. Please continue.” I tell Cole.

“Your sass is going to get you in trouble one of these days, ma’am.”

“We can discuss that at a later date. Let’s get back on topic, please.” I remind him.

“He said what if she wants to get to know me and that he wouldn’t run you off right away.” He says with such anger.

“Okay, that’s not very nice, but it’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I appreciate you and Ty sticking up for me. Hopefully, he won’t be an issue now. Then when we show up at the gala together, there won’t be a question about my availability either.” I say.

“I would rather be on alert. No one knows what happened early in the season that had him wanting to be traded or why that team would trade him. So just be vigilant when he is around, please?,” he pouts.

He’s adorable when he pouts.

“I will, and I’ll let you know if he’s inappropriate at all, okay?” I offer.

“Thank you,” he says and leans forward to drop a kiss on tip of my nose.

Why is he so sexy and adorable at the same time?

“Wait, so you want to go public at the gala?” he asks me.

“I think it would be a good time. That way, the focus won’t be just on us? We agreed to not confirm or deny around the team, but we can make it public knowledge then.” I explain.

“I can get behind that. I’ll keep some distance tomorrow night since we will be in a public place, though. Just so you know. I don’t want you second guessing things. I like our little bubble we have right now.”

“Look at you thinking ahead. I like our bubble too, Casanova. Are we all riding over there together? Dani is coming too.”

“I know Ty is driving with me to the stadium tomorrow. I can fit the three of you in the truck, too. So if you all want to grab an Uber to the stadium, you can.”

“That sounds good. I’ll talk to the girls about it tomorrow.” I tell him.

“Just text me and let me know what you all decide.”

“I will. Other than the drama with Crawford, how was guys’ night?” I ask him.

“It was good. Now it’s even better since I’m here.”

“Casanova. You have a silver tongue.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he smirks.

“I’m sure. Do you have time to hang out a little, or do you need to get back home?” I ask him.

Cole looks at his watch to check the time.

“I have some time for you. Not movie time but time,” he tells me.

“Sounds good. I was just about to rewatch The Vampire Diaries.”

“Really?” he asks.

I give him my best puppy dog eyes.

“Okay, I give in.” He holds his hands up and laughs. “I can’t say no to that face.”

“Good to know. I’ll have to keep that in my back pocket.” I say and wink at him.

We get through two episodes before Cole looks at this watch again.

“You need to get home?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s about that time.” He says as he gets up from the couch.

I follow Cole’s lead and get up off the couch.

“Come here, babe.” He tells me as he pulls me into him for a hug.

He moves one hand from my back to my chin and tilts it up to look at him. He brings his lips to mine and the fever from earlier returns. If this is him trying to say goodnight, he isn’t doing a good job.

“Are you sure you have to go home?” I ask him shyly.

“I don’t want to if it makes you feel better.”

“It does.” I tell him because it’s true.

We walk to the kitchen. He turns around when he reaches the door and drops a quick kiss on my lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, babe. Lock up after I leave,” he tells me.

“See you tomorrow, Casanova. Text me when you get home.”

“It’s going to take me two minutes.”

“I know, humor me, though?”

“Okay. Bye, babe.”

“Bye Casanova.”

Cole walks out the door. I close it and can see his silhouette standing there. I lock the door and I can see him move to go down the stairs.

Five minutes later, my phone vibrates from a text.

Cole: I’m home.

Adriana: Thank you, good night.

Cole: You’re welcome. Night Babe.

Knowing Cole is home, I head to bed myself. Tomorrow is going to be fun and busy day.

This morning was busy with meetings. I know that Heather and I are ready to relax now as Dani pulls up in the driveway.

“Besties! I’m here! Pool days with the girls are the best days.” Dani says.

“They sure are.” I agree.

“Yup. Know what else goes good with girls’ pool day?” Heather asks.

“What else could there be?” I ask.

“Tea time! Adriana, I need you to spill it! How was your date? I noticed you didn’t come home.” Heather fires off.

“Oh, yes. Details! I can’t believe you haven’t busted at the seems yet, Adri!” Dani chimes in.

“Bet she didn’t tell you Cole came by last night after guys’ night, either.” Heather directs to Dani.

Jeez! These two are horrible together. But what would I do without them? I knew they wouldn’t hold out forever on asking me for an update on Cole and I.

“Really? And how would you know?” I ask Heather.

She busts out laughing. I’m talking like deep from the belly, laughing.

“Oh, you know just the light on the garage turning on from the motion sensor.” Heather tells me matter-of-factly.

“Well, put me in my place. I forgot about that.” I laugh out.

“Wait, didn’t y’all go dress shopping? She didn’t tell you and you didn’t ask?” Dani sounds amazed.

“I was waiting for us all to be together. Little things I’ll take, but big-ticket items absolutely need both of us.” Heather informs us.

Why does that make sense? I mean, these two are the ones that made me realize I should give Cole a chance. These two are trouble with a capital T.

“Why have I brought the two of you together?” I ask out loud to them.

“Because you love us and now we are a bestie trio.” Dani answers.

The three of us look at each other and start laughing. We laugh for a minute before we can control ourselves.

“Spill lady.” Heather tells me.

“What do you want to know?” I ask.

“All of it! Wait, not if you slept with him cause that’s my brother-in-law, but maybe just say if it was good.” Heather says with her face scrunched up.

“We haven’t slept together in that manner yet, thank you very much. But date night in was not what I expected either.” I tell them.

I recap our date and how Cole let me cry, and how we fell asleep and about our conversation the next morning, deciding we were all in.

“Who knew my brother-in-law had game like that? Go Cole!” Heather says.

“Damn, you’ve got a good one, Adri.” Dani tells me.

“He is pretty awesome.” I say all smiley.

“Oh, she’s smitten.” Dani nudges Heather with her elbow.

“She isn’t the only one.” Heather replies.

“But what happened last night?” Dani asks.

“Oh, Cole came over to talk to me about Dylan Crawford.” I tell them both.

“Ty told me too. It seemed odd, since we didn’t really say too much to him.” Heather confirmed Ty told her what Cole had told me.

“We will get back to that in a moment, I promise. But, we had our whole defining what all in means moment and we are officially official. We aren’t confirming or denying with the team outside of our friends, but we are going public at the gala though. We want a little more time in our bubble first before having to deal with the media and all.” I tell the girls.

These two are ridiculous. They both squeal with excitement for me and I love them both for it. They just want to see me happy. I couldn’t ask for better friends.

“So happy for you, Adri. I’ve been a little worried about you since what happened with small dick, Toby.” Dani tells me.

“I love you for that D.” I tell Dani.

“We are going to be sister-in-law’s. I’m so happy for the two of you. Just remember who got you two together.” Heather says with a wink.

“Oh jeez, you are already planning my wedding in your head, aren’t you?” I ask Heather.

“It might not just be me, but us,” Heather says, pointing to Dani and herself.

I shake my head at the two of them. I can’t deal with them. It’s only been a few weeks since Cole and I even really started anything.

“It hasn’t even been that long for you to even think about that.” I tell them.

“Adriana Johnson. Cole has been after you since he met you that day you were interviewing with me. You have just been skirting around him, even though you were into him. Dani and I made you see reason. And maybe Cole did too.” Heather almost scolds me.

“Fine, fine. No marriage talk yet. Like I said, we haven’t even slept together. What if the sex is awful? I don’t know if I would want to be married to someone if it was. I don’t think it will be because our chemistry is off the charts and he’s not lacking below the belt either,” I say to them.

Dani starts to laugh and Heather pretends to throw up.

“Wait, how do you know he’s not lacking below the belt, then?” Dani asks.

“We may have had an intense make-out session last night.”

“Oh, you naughty woman. Trying to keep details from us,” Heather says.

“Not everything is for you two, you know.” I laugh out.

“So it is serious. She only keeps details to herself when it means something to her.” Dani tells Heather.

I take a second to think about what Dani just said. I guess she isn’t wrong. Some things are just private and I want to keep them to myself. There are moments that are just for me and the person involved in them. That normally only happens when my feelings are in deep or on their way to getting there.

“Oh Dani, I think you are right! Look at her thinking.” Heather says.

“Okay, so back to Dylan Crawford.” I say to redirect the conversation.

“Oh yeah? What about him?” Dani asks.

“Cole told me he said some things that weren’t appropriate regarding me. Basically, he asked if Cole would hook him up with me. And then Ty gave him the same Adriana-is-off-limit-speech that he did for the rest of the team to which his response was to say what if I wanted to get to know him and that he wouldn’t run me off right away. So the boys don’t want either Heather or I to be alone with him since they got a weird vibe from him from that.” I tell Dani.

“Cole didn’t even tell you the best part?” Heather asks.

“The best part?” I ask to her question.

“Oh yeah, apparently Sean stood up for him and then Dylan came with his tail between his legs at the end of night and apologized.” Heather tells us.

“No, he did not tell me that part. Good, I hope he meant it too. I guess we will see what happens after the game, though.” I say.

As soon as I finished, the alarm on Heather’s phone goes off, letting us know we need to get ready to go to the game tonight. We are heading there a little early to show Dani around the stadium.

“Time to get ready, ladies.” Heather says.

Girls’ day comes to the end and now to get ready for a fun night.