Page 45 of Best Year Ever
“Yeah, so think about how many guys have started dating someone while on the team,” he says. “Like Carter—his new girlfriend seems nice. Although I don’t know that as many women are chasing his 350-pound ass like they do yours.”
I laugh. “Hey, that 350-pound ass protects your skinny one, so be grateful.”
“Truth. But think about it, there’s countless guys with girlfriends, and the situations work. You can choose the same if it’s what you really want as you get to know each other more.”
Johnson stops for a moment, then keeps going with his questions. “When we’re out the next time, how would it feel to hook up with someone else?”
I grimace. “Ehhh, that would feel wrong. Not because Rori and I have any kind of commitment. But it would feel wrong. The best way to describe it,” I think for a second, “is that I don’t want anyone else.”
Johnson raises his hand in an “a-ha” gesture. “Bro. There’s your answer. Give it a chance. Fuck sleeping around. That isn’t a way to live your life long term anyway.”
“Sheesh, J. Bringing the wisdom tonight.” I laugh, taking a sip of my drink.
“Being with my family has me in a no-bullshit kind of mood,” Johnson says. “Sorry for being blunt about it all.”
“No, it’s welcome,” I reassure him. “I needed to talk it through before I go there tomorrow.”
“I get it. Okay, so this game is ramping up, should we dial down the intense life lessons and watch some hoops?”
I chuckle, and we pivot our attention to the game.
CHAPTER 16
Landon
The next afternoon, I shower after my workout and greet Grace at the door as she arrives to take over Grover duty.
She looks me over and smiles. “Looking good, Landon.”
“Yes, this is from a trendy Miami menswear designer,” I share, referencing my shirt and shorts set, which is made from a colorful pattern fabric. “Only Rori will see it, but she’s the most important person to appreciate it anyway, I guess.”
“I also meant your glow. You’re glowing,” Grace teases as she pats my cheek lightly.
“Enough from you,” I joke back. “I’m heading on out the door.”
As I get on the road heading south, I blast music to distract my shifting thoughts. It’s been so long since I’ve seen Rori in person that being in her presence is a bit of an unknown at this stage. Uncertainty creeps up a bit as the miles pass.
Will we still have that chemistry and physical connection? Maybe the reason she invited me is a business-related opportunity? Nothing to do with us personally?
Eventually the GPS gets me to her house, and I can stop pondering what’s going to happen.
I park and walk up to her “cottage”—the word she kept using for her place is appropriate, now that I see it in person.
Apparently, it was a carriage house on a larger estate that got broken up years ago. It looks cozy and comfortable, with a renovation clearly in the recent past given its up-to-date exterior. The door is light green, and the house itself is painted a cream shade. A small, bright garden banks around both sides of the walkway.
I ring the doorbell and hear soft footsteps come to the door, which then swings open.
Rori appears from behind it, wearing a smile on her face.
“Hi, you made it,” she says, and I notice a hint of pink in her cheeks.
“I did,” I reply, smiling back. I hold up the large drink tumbler in my hand. “I thought it only fair that I bring a gift—the vitamin-infused water thatmytrainer makes me drink.”
With a smirk now replacing the flush on her face, she teases. “Oh wow, I cannot wait to try it.” She opens the door wider. “Come in, come in.”
We walk into a small but cozy living room. I look around and then pick a neutral topic.
“This is a nice community, and your house is just as you described it. The ‘cottage.’” I use finger quotes around the word.
