Page 4 of Nailing Heat
When he told me that he found a solution to my housing issue that I probably wouldn’t like, I should have said no. But desperation will do crazy things to a man. I couldn’t stand being in New England anymore and had to get out. It held too many memories of the stain of what I’d done.
I run a hand through my brown hair waiting for her arrival. I stare at my bags piled up by the front door and contemplate unpacking. I decide against it due to the very real possibility she will insist I leave. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable in herown place, so my backup plan is getting a hotel room at my own expense, if that’s what it comes to.
I hear voices outside the apartment. I swear I can hear August telling her to give me a chance. Breathing in and out, I brace myself for Amelia to enter her home.
The door swings open and there she stands. I smile, hoping that a warm smile will but her at ease, as I appraise her. Her blonde hair up in a ponytail, eyes blazing with uncertainty and hatred. I’m not sure if that hatred is for me or August. Either way, I can’t blame her if it’s directed at me. Her hands land aggressively on her hips as she stands in the doorway, August trailing behind her, stammering something about being nice. It gives me a moment to notice that her bright pink yoga pants accentuate her thick curves. I bite my lip to keep from grinning, as my eyes travel up the black tank to her wide brown eyes.
She naps her fingers. “Hey, my eyes are up here.” The irritation in her voice is apparent.
Fuck, I got caught checking her out. Not the best first impression.
“I’m so sorry about that. I’m Dexter Langley, but you can call me Dex.” I offer her my hand and wait.
Reluctantly, Amelia steps forward and takes my hand, giving it a gentle shake as she announces, “Amelia West. You can call me Amelia.”
When I’m standing directly in front of her, I can see how short she really is. My six-foot-four frame dwarfs her as I stand to my full height. It causes her to take a step back.
She keeps shifting from foot to foot, fidgeting with her hands, unable to stand still. “August says that you’re the Center Back,” I say, hoping to make her feel more comfortable.
“Yeah, I am.” The response earns me a weak smile, and she continues, “I heard you’re the new trainer. Hopefully you show up more than the other trainers this one has hired have.” She gestures with her thumb over to August.
I grin. “Well, I plan to.”
“So, what do you think, Amelia? Can Dex stay for a bit until I can find him something more permanent?” August pleads with her with his eyes.
“He has the name of a serial killer,” she argues, staring pointedly at August.
I laugh out loud, “Yeah, that series really hurt us Dexters, but I promise, I’m nothing like him.”
“Uh-huh. So why don’t we have an apartment for you?” she asks.
I love her boldness. August gets ready to say something, but I say something before he can speak. “Yeah, well, I showed up a bit early and forced his hand into giving me housing. I had to get out of the cooler temperatures of New England.”
Amelia smiles, studying me over and over again. “It’s early fall; I highly doubt you all had snow on the ground.”
I nod, rocking on my heels. “No, no snow. Just some chillier temperatures up there that make coming down here to the heat more enjoyable.”
“You're running from something.” She pins me to the spot with a look.
“What makes you say that?” I cross my arms across my chest, forcing a smile.
“That wasn't a question; that was a statement. And I’m right, you’re running from something.”
No point in bullshitting her, the girl is perceptive, I’ll give her that. “I am.”
Amelia nods. “Honesty. How refreshing.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see August get ready to open his mouth again. This time it’s Amelia who holds her hand up to silence him. “Fine, whatever, he can stay. Don’t move any of my shit. If you need extra room on shelves, ask me first. And please don’t eat all my food.”
Amelia heads down the hallway that leads to her bedroom. “Oh, and don’t disturb the pretty pink guest room I have set up. You can have the other one.”
“Thank you!’ I call after her as she retreats into her bedroom. “I figured the empty one was mine anyways.”
August smiles. “It’s going to be fine, you’ll see.”
I nod, though I’m not convinced. “Thanks for letting me come here so quickly and taking me in like this.”
“Things were that bad up north, huh?”
I let out a long breath before saying, “They were.”
