My heart, on the other hand, knows what the hell is happening, waving red flags at me to walk away now before it gets too messy.
I wrack my brain trying to remember when I last felt this way. It wasn’t with Pierce Worthington in senior high when I lost my virginity to him on prom night at The Ritz-Carlton, nor was it with William Chesterfield in college during our eight-month relationship.
And it isn’t with Sebastian King.
It is now, with the arrogant Aussie next door.
After a long shower, desperate to rid my thoughts and gain some clarity on the situation, I settle myself in the kitchen with a strong coffee and my new book. I opt for reading non-fiction—a simple way to steer my brain toward something educational.
There’s a gentle knock on my door breaking my concentration. Aubrey strolls in, dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a ripped tee, carrying a basket of muffins.
“Good morning, how are we today?”
“Good,” I answer, eyeing her cautiously. “What’s with the muffins?”
“I just thought they would be nice.”
“Thank you.”
“All right…” She states, placing them down on the table and sliding into a chair. “I need a huge favor.”
Of course, never take muffins from a neighbor without a string attached.
“Spill…”
“It’s Chance’s and my anniversary. I’ve planned a night away, and Adele was supposed to babysit, but she’s got food poisoning. If I cancel, it’s non-refundable.”
“You want me to babysit? At your place?”
“Pretty please? Don’t worry about Olly, he’s out tonight. He said he wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.”
The disappointment stabbed me like a thousand knives. And just like that, the man who I thought I knew has become a complete stranger once again. Oliver never mentioned going out, let alone overnight. He has a whole other life which I know nothing about. Surely, it involves a woman. We are nothing. He’s certainly not tied to me whatsoever.
“Sure, I can take care of CJ.” I smile, hiding my humiliation. “Go. Enjoy yourself and have copious amounts of sex making every woman in the rooms surrounding yours jealous.”
Aubrey winks, laughing. “That’s the plan.”
Oliver
“I’d like to refer you to a specialist in Colorado.”
Dr. Wheeler slides over a piece of paper with some contact details.
“He’s an old college friend of mine, but I can speak to him privately and organize for you to see him as soon as you can get there.”
It isn’t the news I was hoping for. As I sit here, squirming in this uncomfortable chair and listening to Dr. Wheeler, I try my best to ignore the nagging voice inside my head telling me the fight is over.
I am naïve to think my scans would come back positive, and straight off the bat he would tell me I could play again.
It takes me a moment to process and accept another roadblock in the journey of finding my way back to playing soccer. With my posture fallen and mood souring by the minute, I leave Dr. Wheeler’s office to pull out my phone, needing to hear her voice at this very moment.
“Olly?”
“Hey, Ma.”
I miss her so much, more than I care to admit. Being here feels so far away from home and the sound of her voice reminds me of that.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, worried. “It’s… oh, wait a minute, your day, our night.”
“Just wanted to check in. How are things back home?”
“Pa just installed a new aviary out the back, which means he spends all his time trying to find exotic birds online. Can you remind me why I married such a man?”
I can’t help but smile. Pa is quirky that way, and no doubt depleting their retirement fund on some bird from Africa which could repeat the alphabet as well as hum to classical music.
“And you, Ma?”
“I’m missing you, kid. That’s for sure.”
“Miss you, too, Ma.” I let out a sigh and proceed to tell her about the appointment.
My parents have been by my side every step of the way. Ever since I could remember, they supported my desire to play soccer. When I was twelve years old, I tried out for an elite sports school in Sydney. I received a partial scholarship, and in just a few weeks, Pa sold our country home and moved our entire family to Sydney.
They drove me to games and spent copious amounts of money on holiday programs to develop my skills. They were, and always have been, my biggest supporters.
“You’ve never been one to give up, Olly. So, you’ve hit a roadblock, that’s why detours were invented. Book your flight, get your butt up to Colorado, and if you need us, you know we’ll fly up in a heartbeat.”
“I know, Ma. Thanks for the chat. I better go. Love you.”
“Love you, too, my son.”
I hang up the phone feeling extra homesick. My parents were never too far away, and even my annoying sisters were usually chasing my tail. But being here, thousands of miles from a place I’ve always called home is enough to throw me into a major funk.
Over the next few hours, I bum around town, walking aimlessly around Sunset Boulevard before making the annoying drive through peak-hour traffic back home.
I told Chance not to expect me home—a late invite to some party in the Hills held by an old school friend who married a rich yank and moved here a few years back.
But I wasn’t in the mood, so I opted to go home instead.
Stuck in a sea of red lights, bumper to bumper, I instantly regret leaving so late. The traffic in Los Angeles is beyond a joke. So many lanes, back-to-back cars, all desperate to get somewhere in a hurry.
It’s just after six when I pull into the driveway. I turn the Jeep off and sit quietly as I close my eyes to gather my thoughts. I have to adjust my mindset. I need to focus on my next step and not the hindrance. The more I try to talk myself out of this slump, the more I fail miserably.
I need a distraction, a big one at that.
Damn! I should have gone to that party, or, maybe, I could convince Chance to head out for a beer tonight.
Crap! Adele’s babysitting.
I don’t mind Adele, she’s a cool chick. Very similar to my sister in a lot of ways.
Rory. She keeps to herself, never says too much, and allows her goofy brother to always steal the spotlight in the room.
I walk through the hall, stopping just shy of the living room to see Gabriella sitting on the floor with CJ. I haven’t thought about her since this morning and our discussion about her confused feelings. She doesn’t seem to notice me, and with a burning curiosity, I hide behind the pillar, watching her play by singing some song to CJ making him giggle.
Soft wisps of copper hair sweep past her ears, caressing the skin of her neck and falling against her shoulders. Gabriella’s face radiates in delight. Her eyes dance as she smiles watching CJ sing along with his cute babble.
I catch her attention, and she waves with a shy, “Hey.”