Page 9 of Force Play
“I thought Lucia was from Spain,” I interject. “Isn’t she Spanish?”
Cole chuckles. “Her parents immigrated to the US before she was born. Lucia was born and raised in San Diego.”
I nod and take another sip of my beer before deciding to tell the guys of my new plight. “So, your wives and their friends are plotting my demise.”
“I’m not married yet,” Knox says.
“You’re almost married; it counts,” I state.
“So, how are they plotting your demise exactly?” Cole asks, cocking his eyebrow.
I lean back against the balcony railing. “Apparently, Lucia’s lease is running out, and she needs a new place to live. Your girls are all suggesting she come live withme.”
Cole and Knox laugh like it’s the funniest damn thing they’ve ever heard.
“Why the fuck would they suggest you?” Cole questions, wiping the tears from his eyes.
Fucker.
“She apparently doesn’t want to live with any of you,” I shrug. “Something about not wanting to listen to everyone else get laid.”
“So you’ve got yourself a roommate, huh?” Knox smirks.
“The fuck I do,” I chide. “She explicitly said she’snotliving with me.”
Cole rubs the back of his neck. “What’s her plan then?”
“Fuck if I know,” I breathe. “She’s too prideful to accept help, so I told her I’d get her a nice cardboard box.”
They stare at me in disbelief, but Knox is the first to speak. “I can’t believe you did something nice for Lucia.”
I scoff and roll my eyes. “I offered her a cardboard box.”
“But you’ve not once told us that you saidyoudidn’t want her to live with you.”
“Idon’twant her to live with me,” I sigh. “But I’m not a complete asshole. I don’t want to see her out on the street either.”
Cole’s smile widens across his face. “Holy shit, I think you actually like Lucia.”
Like her? No.
Is she hot as hell, though? Fuck yes, she is.
I like her looks, not her personality.
“I don’t like her,” I finally reply, “but it’s not like it matters anyway. She doesn’t want to live with me.”
Which is exactly what I want.
I don’t need a roommate, least of all Lucia fucking Torres.
four
Lucia
Thebestpartaboutthe weather getting colder is that peppermint mochas are finally back on the menu. My favorite coffee shop, Urban Grind, makes the best ones.
I figure I deserve to treat myself after another hellish week of apartment hunting.
