Page 18 of Nailing Heat
I shake my head. “Nah, it’s nothing like that. He let me know that if I ever needed to talk that he was here for me. That he’s been through something similar, sort of, so we could talk if I needed it.”
Amelia nods slowly. I can see the wheels spinning but I don’tknow her well enough to answer all those questions that are burning behind her brown eyes. I’m also pretty sure that what I would say would make her hate me.
“When I’m ready I can talk to you. Just know that I’m not being guarded on purpose. I’m not ready,” I tell her, sheepishly, hoping that the moment of honesty helps.
It does.
She reaches over and touches my shoulder. “I get it. Just let me know if you need to talk. And when you do, I’m here for you.”
“Oh, you’re so sure I’ll turn to you?” I tease her.
“Most people do,” she says with a wink. “I kind of nail it in the advice column.”
I chuckle. “I’ll remember that, peach.”
Chapter Seven
~AMELIA~
There’s a banging sound in the kitchen, much like the one that is happening in my head. I blink, trying to remember if I brought someone home last night. Did one of the girls come crash with me? I know after August recommended some shots, we were all feeling pretty good.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I think for a second, remembering that I now have a roommate. Courtesy of that shot-offering jackass. I throw the covers off roughly and head into the kitchen to ask him to keep it the fuck down. I ignore the fact that I’m wearing a strappy sleep tank and short silk shorts as I make my way to into the kitchen.
Dex is wearing a pair of blue athletic shirts and a white T-shirt. He’s standing at the espresso machine; I can hear him mumbling but I can’t make out the words. I’m thinking he’s reading the instructions that I wrote down for him. I clear my throat loudly, causing him to spin around, sending coffee grounds flying.
His eyes are wide with shock, and his mouth is hanging open. Sure enough, in his right hand is the little slip of pink paper withdirections on exactly how to work the espresso machine. His green eyes soften as he takes in the sight of me.
I smirk and bite out, “My eyes are up here.”
He jerks his gaze up so that his eyes meet mine. “What’s up?” His words come out slower than normal. I have clearly caught him off guard.
“Why are you up already? It’s our day off,” I remind him.
He shakes his head, laughing. “Yeah, it might be a day off for you. ButIhave to go into work today. I have some paperwork to complete with HR and then I want to go over the files that Cary left me. See where the gaps are and then meet with each player to help me fill in those gaps.”
I put my palm on my forehead and close my eyes, trying to process everything that he said. This is more information than I wanted to get this morning. Especially when my head is already pounding and I feel like I only went to bed two hours ago.
“You doing okay?” he asks. He comes over and stands in front of me, gently moving my hand and touching the back of his hand to my forehead.
“Why are you checking me for a fever, dumbass. I’m not sick, I’m hungover.” I let out a loud sigh and take a step back from him. I use the wall to prop myself up.
“Right, sorry. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“Obviously not.” My words are dripping with sarcasm. “And you might have to work today but I do not. As an athlete this is my off day. And I would really appreciate it if I could get some more sleep.”
He flinches a bit like I’ve just slapped him. “I’m sorry. I keep screwing up every time I’m in the apartment the same time as you, peach. I’m really trying hard not to be a nuisance to you, but that’s exactly what I am.”
I lean my head against the cool wall and take him in. His T-shirt looks soft and is stretched across his broad chest, highlighting his defined shoulders and muscular arms. I see the shortshave a New England Patriots logo on them. My eyes drift past the logo and continue down his legs. His calves are strong, and they are so toned, they look like they each have a grapefruit stashed back there.
Dex clears his throat. “Something the matter with my outfit?”
I meet his eyes again. He’s wearing a cocky smile, like he knows he caught me ogling him. I shake my head. “You know you shouldn’t wear Patriots gear to the Blaze. Didn’t August give you a big swag pack? I thought you had a Blaze T-shirt on last night?”
“Yeah, I did. But that’s the only one that was waiting for me when I got there. He said he’d have more for me today. So, here’s hoping,” he says, looking down at his shorts. “But the athletes, as you reminded me, are all off today, so what does it matter what I wear?”
“You’re so lucky you’re friends with August or he would be giving you so much shit right now for those.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, probably. But tomorrow I will be fully equipped in Blaze apparel. Unless you ladies feel the need to rest for two days instead of one.”
