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Chase and I must sit there in silence for a while because the room grows dark, except for the flickering of the television. The sun has set. I flip on a lamp on the side table next to the couch.
Chase looks over at me. “So … if she’s everything … what are you going to do about it?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MADISON
I glance around at the boxes and furniture scattered about the space, wondering where to start first. It’s move-in day at my new apartment. Classes don’t officially start for two more weeks, so that gives Oakley and me plenty of time to get situated. Oak drove up from the city to help, though she has to return tomorrow to watch the kids for a few more days. And I’ll be heading back at the end of the week for the wedding.
The wedding. Ugh. I’m still dreading it. The ceremony that I’ll be attending alone now.
“This is the last one,” Charlie says as he and Ben appear through the front door while balancing the coffee table between the two of them. Ollie’s coffee table. They set it down in front of the couch.
With Ollie already in Chicago and Chase not here, I begged Charlie and Ben to help us move the heavier furniture into our new place. I don’t want to spend the money I saved from working this summer on movers. After some negotiations, where the two hockey players insisted on sexual favors rather than monetary compensation for their help—which they aren’t getting, by the way—they finally agreed to donate their brawn in exchange for pizza and beer.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate your help,” I say.
Ben uses the edge of his shirt to wipe away the sweat from his forehead. Charlie smirks as he repositions his hat.
“Just tell your man that he owes us. He should be here, moving you in,” Charlie quips.
My man. I’m not sure if that’s an accurate statement at this point. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s wrong.
“How’s he doing anyway?” Ben asks.
Word spread quickly through his former teammates that Ollie had injured his knee and was forced to go to Chicago earlier than expected to rehab there. But I don’t think they know exactly how it happened.
“He’s good. His knee is getting better. He should be ready to go by the time training camp starts in a couple of weeks.”
I should be saying these words because I’ve heard them directly from Ollie’s mouth. The status of his knee should be firsthand knowledge for me. It’s not. We’ve hardly spoken. Most of what I’m reciting are things I’ve heard from Oakley.
I force a smile as my bestie walks into the room. I’ve been forcing things a lot lately. “What kind of pizza do you want me to order?”
“We have to get the truck back to Weaver,” Charlie says, mentioning one of their teammates.
“Rain check,” Ben adds. His sweaty T-shirt clings to his muscular chest.
“Okay,” I say, glancing over at Oakley.
She nods. “We’ll do it before school starts one night.” She glances around at the mess in our living room that needs to be organized and unpacked. “After we’re settled.”
Charlie lifts his brow and shoots me a sexy smirk. “I’m gonna hold you ladies to that.”
Oakley and I hug each of the guys and then shut the door behind them as they leave. I walk over to lower the thermostat. Oakley ducks into the kitchen.
“Do you want some water?” she yells out.
“Sure,” I say, plopping down on the couch for a moment to cool off. “That would be great.”
Oakley emerges with two glasses full of cold water. She hands me one.
I take a drink and sigh while sinking further into the cushions. “The heat is oppressive today,” I whine.
“It’s the first of August,” my best friend replies after blowing a sweaty piece of hair off her face. “What do you expect around here?”
“I think I forget how hot it gets every year. I must block it out or something.”
“You tend to do that with a lot of things,” Oakley hums teasingly. “Selective memory.”
