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“You’re cooking?” I ask.
He nods. “As long as you have cheese and butter, this is my specialty.”
I open the fridge and grab what he needs, and I set it on the counter. “I am all in.”
I perch on the counter next to where he’s cooking, and while we wait in between steps, he slips in between my legs and leans in for soft kisses.
I feel giddy. Butterflies are flapping wildly, and my engine is revving, and I feel like I want to kick my feet in the air with happiness.
All I can do is live in the moment and pray there isn’t some rocket on its way to collide with this feeling.
But that look Austin gave Grayson is still in the back of my mind, and I’m worried he, or Colin, or some woman from Gray’s past, is just waiting for the moment to blow this all up.
Chapter 43: Grayson Nash
You Know How Much I Love to Eat Your Cookie
Ava heads to the bakery the next morning, and I head to the title company to sign off on my new place. I get the keys, and I meet the moving company along with the internet guy at my new house.
I have the basics, and they make quick work of unpacking my stuff—including unpacking boxes and putting items away. I’ll find what I need when I need it.
Ava hasn’t packed yet to move in with me, but to be fair, we’ve been busy.
I found out the lease on her house expires in June. They moved in when they graduated three years ago, and we haven’t really talked about what she wants to do about that.
Having her move in with me is fast, and I want her to still have that out if she needs it. I want her to be able to get together with her friend and have girl time whenever she wants. I don’t want her sitting alone at this big ass house while I’m traveling during the season if she doesn’t want to be in this big ass house all alone.
So I make a decision. I just haven’t shared it with her quite yet, and knowing how stubborn she can be, I’m not sure she’s going to like it.
I’m doing it anyway.
The doorbell rings a little after lunchtime, just after the internet company finishes their installation. I head over to open it, and I find Travis Woods standing there.
He’s a wide receiver for the Aces, and in the back of my mind I remember my realtor telling me that he lives in this neighborhood.
“Hey, neighbor,” he says. “You know that’s my house, right?” He points to the one two doors down from me. “My wife made me bring this over.” He hands the basket he’s holding in his hands over to me.
I chuckle as I glance at the contents of the basket—a bottle of Hendricks, a couple tumblers, and a spread of cheese, sausage, and crackers. “That was nice of your wife. Be sure to thank her for me.” I pull the bottle of gin out. “Want to come in?”
He makes a face. “Not for gin, but for the company? Sure.”
I open the door wider, and he steps in. He glances around as I lead him toward the kitchen, and we both look out the back at my pool.
“Nice place,” he says.
“Thanks. I didn’t have anything to do with the design, really, but I’m happy with it.”
We’re making small talk, and I’m debating where to take this conversation next. I can’t really comment on the coaching staff since I’m not sure how careful I need to be given that my brother is the head coach, and I don’t know my teammates very well since I’ve been a little busy with Ava. I’ve only had those three days of minicamp with my teammates so far, apart from a few nights at the Gridiron.
I tend not to be an awkward guy, so I start with something we have in common. “Do you like this neighborhood?” I ask. It’s a question I probably should have asked before I moved into it. Little late now if he says he hates it.
“Yeah, I do. It’s quiet. The gate at the front helps ward off the paparazzi, and it’s close to the Complex and my daughter’s school.”
“You have a daughter?” I ask.
He nods. “And a son, actually. My daughter is eleven, and my son is eight months.”
“Oh, wow. Busy house. Congratulations.”
