Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“You know the dishwasher works,” Landry says. His hands land on my hips as he reaches around me and flips on the light over the sink.
I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to step back, but he never does. “Yeah,” I say with a heavy exhale.
He leans in close, his lips just a breath away from my ear. “Want me to show you how to use it?”
“Do you know how?” I ask.
His deep laughter surrounds me and warms me like a blanket on a cold winter’s night. “Yes, I know how. I’m a big boy. I can even wipe my own ass.”
I hold up my hand, which is dripping with water. “No, I don’t want to see that. And as for the dishwasher, I know how to operate it, but we mostly used paper plates. There are only a few dishes. I don’t mind washing them by hand.”
“Then move over,” he says, his hands finally leaving my hips for him to step up next to me. “I’ll rinse and dry.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t have to. They got the gifts handled, and I’m not going to just stand here and watch you work. We’ll have this done in mere minutes.” He winks, and my heart does this flutter thing in my chest. It's almost as if it has wings and they’re flapping rapidly.
“So, how are you feeling with everything? Have you heard from the dickhead?” he asks.
I can’t help it, I chuckle. “No, I have not heard from Chaz, but he doesn’t have my new number. Not that I’m aware of.”
“Training camp starts in a little over a month.”
“I know. I’m dreading the moment when the team has to report. Just my luck, he’ll fake an injury.”
Landry turns off the water, dries his hands on a towel, and pulls his phone out of his back pocket. “Give me your number.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, one, we’re friends, and friends have each other’s numbers. Two, if he fucks with you, you need a way to get ahold of me. I’ll text you mine once I have yours. I’ll also send you the rest of the guys’. We’re not going to let him hurt you again, Rowan.”
Tears well in my eyes. I clear my throat and rattle off my number. I hear the ding from my back pocket and then four more.
“There. I sent you the other guys' contacts. Don’t be afraid to use them, Rowan.”
“Thank you, Landry.” I close my eyes and focus on my breathing to calm my emotions. That’s why I don’t see him leaning in close. I feel his presence and then his lips against my temple. He doesn’t speak but takes his time pulling away. I know because I count every erratic heartbeat while his lips are against my skin.
When he finally eases back, I’m both sad and relieved. I'm relieved that I can breathe a little easier, but I'm also sad because he’s someone I trust, and the warmth and tenderness he’s shown me are not something I’m used to. It’s a fluke thing, I know that. I also know that I can’t allow myself to fall for him or get attached. I’ve traveled the road of dating a professional athlete, and it’s a dead end for me.
However, I know in my soul that Landry is different. He’s not a man who will use his size and strength against a woman. He would never make the woman in his life feel insignificant, but that’s all the more reason to keep my distance. I barely survived my relationship with Chaz. If I were to fall for Landry, I’d never recover from the loss.
The others come back inside, and Corie and Sloane jump into putting leftover containers together for everyone to take home.
“Thank you for today, for the gifts, and all of it,” Baker says.
“Oh, that’s not all,” Corie tells him. “We’re coming over to help you set up. You just tell us when you’re ready, and we’ll be there.”
Baker’s shoulders fall, a look of relief washing over his features. “Bring it in.” He opens his arms, and Corie walks into his embrace, followed by Sloane. “You too, Rowan,” he says.
Quickly, I dry my hands and step into his hug. “You’re going to do great,” I say softly, for his ears only.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, releasing me. “I’m going to head home and start unpacking.”
“You want help?” Corie asks.
“You’ve done so much.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Knox tells him. “We were going to do the shower at your place, but the girls wanted it to be a surprise.”
“This was—unexpected and perfect. I can’t thank you all enough.”
“I’m coming too,” Sloane speaks up.
“Well, damn, now I feel left out,” Reid says.
“I’ll drive.” Foster fishes his keys out of his pocket and tosses them in the air before catching them in his fist.