Page 3 of Nailing Heat
He squeezes my hand and launches in. “We were able to acquire a new trainer. He’s the former trainer of the New England Patriots. But I couldn’t find him housing here in Tampa on such short notice. Not that kept us within our budget. And he was coming in immediately after dealing with some personal upheaval,” he explains, trying to make it sound like there is no other option. He tenses slightly when he says, “So, I put him in your apartment, since you have a three-bedroom. A three-bedroom that you were told you could end up sharing.”
My mouth opens and closes but words aren’t forming. I can see that the girls are ready to say a thing or two to him, so I hold my hand up to stop them. “I don’t understand, why is he rooming with me? Why are you unleashing a stranger on me in my apartment?”
“I thought that maybe you could be an adult about this. He’s not going to try any funny business, and he’s passed all of his clearances,” August assures me.
“Passing the clearances just means that the man hasn’t yet been caught doing anything shady,” I counter.
August chuckles. “Look, this won’t be a permanent thing. Only for a few weeks until we can get him settled into somewhere the team can afford.”
“You’ve got money, August, you put him up,” Mac snaps. I hadn’t even noticed she’d joined our little party, but I’m suddenly so glad she’s here.
“Sorry, no. I won’t be doing that.” He turns his attention back to me. “Can I come with you to your apartment and meet him?”
“When is he coming in?” I ask, afraid to know the answer. I am hoping to have at least a few days to prepare myself for this weird arrangement.
“He’s there right now.” August says tentatively like he already knows this will set me off.
I shake my head and put my hands up in protest. “Look, I know I’m living in Blaze housing and that I don’t pay for anything, but come on, August, you can’t do this to me.” I feel like I’m whining but I don’t care. I can already feel my anxiety peaking at living with a strange man. “I’ve never even met this man before and he’s invading my space? Come on, that’s not right.” I turn towards my girls, who are all glaring at August in solidarity.
“No, it certainly isn’t. And you can stay with me untilhefinds somewhere else for this man to stay,” Hendrix says, scowling at August.
“You can always stay at my place. I’m with Danny more than I’m at the apartment anyways,” Mac offers. She’s right, ever since she and Danny have gone public, she’s basically been living with him, only coming home when he’s out of town.
“I don’t think you’re going to need to do that. He’s a nice guy. He’s going to be the new trainer. Dexter needs a place to stay until I can get him some appropriate housing in Tampa. Just bear with me and give this a try,” August pleads. “He’s just as nervous about living with you as you are about him. Please meet him and then decide if it’s so awful.”
I shake my head. “I can’t believe this. Why did I think I would finally get my own space? You know I come from a family where I havefivebrothers!” I exclaim.
August steps forward, his hands slowly coming up as he attempts to jump in, but I keep talking. “When I went to college,I was unlucky enough to get a suite where I lived with five other girls. And now that I finally have had my own space, you’re going to tell me that it’s being invaded by a boy?”
I can feel the tears prickling in my eyes. The weight of everyone’s stares is making it impossible to stop me from welling up. I know it’s too late when I feel the first drop roll down my cheek and land on my shirt.
“Oh, Amelia, I’m so sorry.” August takes a step forward and places his hand on my shoulder. His movement is slow and gentle as if he were approaching a caged animal. “I don’t mean to take away your space. But I promise I’ll do my best to get it back to you as soon as possible. Please hang in there for a bit.”
“But why my apartment?” I squeak out. I notice no one else is stepping up to offer their space, which makes me feel a little guilty. I clear my throat and wipe my eye on the back of my hand, trying to regain my composure.
“Because you have the three-bedroom. And when you were given the three-bedroom, you were told there was a possibility that you could end up with a roommate,” he reminds me, articulating slowly and carefully like he’s speaking to someone holding a bomb. “Come with me back to your place and we’ll meet him together.Ifyou’re really uncomfortable with him, then I’ll figure something else out, okay?”
“You know Jase has a big house,” Hendrix reminds him.
“He does,” Cassie says slowly. I can tell she’s torn about offering Jase’s place, since it’s not hers to offer.
“I’ll meet him. I don’t want to put Jase out, especially since he isn’t here to weigh in. But I’m not promising you anything,” I tell August.
“It’s all I’m asking.” He smiles brightly at me. “Please let me know when you are ready to head over and I’ll follow you.”
I turn and begin to storm away from him.
“Oh, and Amelia,” he calls after me. I spin around and levelhim with a glare. “Dexter Langley is a good guy; he needs a place to stay in a hurry. But I promise you he’ll be the best trainer you’ll ever have.”
I give a fake smile and continue storming, although with a little less conviction than before.
Chapter Two
~DEX~
Itry not to make myself too comfortable in this apartment. I’m well aware that she may not want me to stay. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to stay. This could be disastrous. Sure, we’re grown adults and should be able to room together with no issues. But it’s still a female being forced to share an apartment with man she doesn’t even know. I think I would feel so much better if she chose this, but it’s being forced upon her, and I hate that, but my lack of other options has me standing in this apartment glancing at all the pictures and knickknacks she has sitting around waiting for her return.
Fucking August.
