Being jealous would mean I want her, and I’m not a man who does relationships.
That’s not what it is.
It can’t be.
Right?
thirty-seven
Lucia
NomatterhowhardI try, I can’t erase that night at Tipsy Turtle from my mind.
Ari was jealous.
He’s emphatically denied it, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
He was jealous watching Lucas flirt with me, and his marching over to us at the bar was nothing short of him trying to claim me.
It’s not like he had anything to worry about. Lucas was kinda cute, but I know that type. He’s not someone I’d ever want to spend a night with.
I also just didn’t want to.
It’s just sex between Ari and me, but I’d much rather have sex with him than anyone else I might meet. Our bedroom chemistry is off the damn charts.
Lately, though, it’s feeling like we might have some chemistry outside of the bedroom as well.
We’ve had multiple nights since his birthday last month where all we’ve done is spend time together. No sex, just enjoying each other’s company.
We’ve watched countless episodes ofModern Family.
We’re reading the same books, and our unofficial book club is actually meeting more than once a week.
We’re just… having fun. A lot of fun.
I never knew how funny Ari could be, but I absolutely love getting to know that side of him. He’s an entirely different person than I initially thought him to be, and the man he is is someone I can see myself actually getting close to.
I like having a friendship with him.
Because even though I smile more around him than I ever have around anyone else, we’re still only friends.
Dr. Coltrain walks into the training room now, chipper as always. “Good morning, Lucia!”
“Good morning,” I smile.
“It’s nice to see you getting into the baseball spirit already,” he chuckles, gesturing to the jersey I’m wearing.
“I like supporting my friends.”
That’s totally theonlyreason I’m wearing Josh’s jersey right now. It’s not at all because I know it will annoy Ari.
“You’re one of the only trainers I’ve ever had who formed genuine friendships with some of the players.”
“Is that a good thing?” I ask, a little bit nervous that I’ve crossed some sort of unknown line.
Dr. Coltrain grins as he stops outside his office door. “I think it’s great. You’ve got a phenomenal rapport with the players, Lucia, and that makes them more likely to heed your advice.” He unlocks his door and looks at me again. “Why don’t you join me in here for a moment? I’d like to talk to you.”
“Of course.”