“Yeah,” he says as he stands behind me with his arms around me. “The city view from here is spectacular and it keeps getting better the higher we go.”
“New York is like this,” I tell him. “We have some amazing architecture there. Portland reminds me of it.”
“Do you miss it?”
I put my hands on his arms and shake my head. “No, I like Portland. A lot.”
The elevator dings and Alex turns us around. Once again, I find myself standing there with my mouth open as if I’m trying to catch a fly. “Come on,” he says in my ear and gives me a tiny push forward.
We step out into the foyer of the Westburys’ apartment. Only, it’s more like a penthouse. For some reason, I think it’s a good idea to count the people milling around but stop after ten. This isn’t some small get-together, it’s a full-blown party with music playing in the background. I rise up onto my tiptoes to get a better look. At what, I have no idea, but I need to see. Subconsciously I think I’m looking for Liam, Harrison, or Jimmy. I never bothered to ask Alex if Peyton’s parents were here. Probably because I’m hung up on knowing Noah’s are.
“Alex!” A voice shouts. I look around until Noah approaches. I met him briefly on the day I met Alex, but it wasn’t more than a handshake and he was off.
“Hey, man.” Alex and Noah clasp hands and hug. “Noah, this is Kelsey Sloane, the one I told you about.”
Noah shakes my hand and smiles. “It’s nice to meet you. Alex won’t shut up about you.”
“Is that so?” I look from Noah to Alex. He winks and puts his arm around my waist. “Did he tell you he’s writing a children’s book about football?”
Alex freezes beside me as Noah’s eyes go wide. He covers his mouth and points at his friend. “No freaking way.”
My man nods sheepishly. I didn’t mean to embarrass him, but it seems that I have. “I’m sorry.” I lean in and whisper. “I’m proud of you and thought you would’ve told them.”
“That’s super cool.” Noah says after he’s gathered himself. “Come on, let’s introduce Kelsey to Peyton.”
Alex takes my hand in his. He follows Noah, meandering through the people. After a handful of delays, where I’m introduced to other players and their wives or girlfriends, Noah finally reaches his wife. Without a care in the world, he kisses her in a way I would describe as something that should definitely happen behind closed doors.
“Did they just get married?” I ask Alex quietly. To me, it’s a newlywed kiss or the kind you see when two people can’t keep their hands off each other.
“No, they’ve been together for a while. I’ll tell you more later.”
“Babe, I don’t know if you met Kelsey earlier, but I’d like to introduce you.” Noah steps out of my line of sight and says to me, “Kelsey, this is my wife, Peyton.”
Her hand comes toward me, and we shake. She’s tiny, even shorter than me, and I don’t understand why Alex is afraid of her. “Hello,” she says. “Thank you for coming over.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“Myles told me you’re an editor at Willamette Publishing. How do you like it?”
“I love my job,” I tell her. “And I’m sorry, I don’t really know what you do.”
“I told you, she decides our fate,” Alex says. “Ain’t that right, P?”
Peyton squints her eyes and glares at Alex. “It’s nothing like that,” she says. “I analyze the game and help the players play to their potential.”
“She busts our balls,” Noah adds. Peyton looks at her husband and it’s like I can see a stream of love moving from her to him and vice versa. I don’t know if it’s the way they stare at each other or what, but they’re probably the most in-love couple I’ve ever met.
After meeting Peyton, Alex introduces me to Julius and Autumn, his wife. And once again, I find myself standing there with a gaping mouth.
“Are any of your friends not famous?”
Alex chuckles. “I don’t know if being our local meteorologist qualifies as being famous.”
“I say it does.”
“Duly noted.”
Alex takes me toward the balcony. “Close your mouth.”
“What? Why?” We step outside and there he is. They are. Liam. Harrison. Jimmy “JD” Davis. All three are more perfect than their pictures. They’re sitting at one end of the terrace, and no one is bothering them. Alex guides me to the opposite corner, away from the band. “I’m shell-shocked. I need to get over it.”
“I get it,” he says. “I think I’m just used to them being around. Liam was at the game.”
“He was?”
Alex nods. “Noah’s family doesn’t miss a game. At least his dad doesn’t. Even when they’re on tour, his dad is in the stands every game, no matter where or when end up playing for the week.”
“You know, I think I remember reading something about Liam and his son. I guess I never put two and two together when I moved here.”
“4225 West does a lot for the community here. Anytime we have a fundraiser, they come and perform.”
“That’s really nice of them.”
Alex nods toward them, but now that more and more people have shown up, it’s hard to see the guys. I’m shocked no one bothers them. No one hounds them for photos or autographs. “Liam sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl last year. It was poignant because his son was one of the starting quarterbacks for the game. I think everyone cried.”
“Where’s Noah’s mom?”
“If she came, she’s probably inside.”
“Just hearing you speak about them makes me miss my family. We’re close. Sometimes I hate being so far away from them.”
Alex reaches for my hand. “Maybe they’ll come to visit soon.”
“Yeah,” I say, nodding. “Although it’s a good thing my mom isn’t here now, or she’d be over there talking to them.” My head tilts toward the band. “She’s obsessed.”
“Sort of like her daughter.” Alex chuckles.
“More like starstruck. This is all new to me. It’s going to take some getting used to. Who on your team has a normal partner?”
“Normal?” Alex’s eyebrow rises.
“You know, not famous or on TV or whatever.”
“Um.” He looks into the apartment and shrugs. “I’m not really sure. Chase’s best friend is a local radio personality. Cameron is dating a mega popular influencer.” Alex shrugs. “And I’m dating an acquisitions editor. I’d say everyone is normal.”
“You know what I mean.” I push his arm with my hand, only for him to grab it and bring it to his mouth. He kisses my knuckles and then leans forward to kiss me.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. I think you have a very cool job, and I love that you’re helping me write a book. I feel lucky to be in your presence.”
His words, they melt me. I’ve never been with someone who knows what to say, without me having to point it out. I return his kiss and whisper a thank you over his lips.