Page 10 of Stealing Home

“Are you hungry? I know Heather is making dinner, but I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet. We can hit a drive thru.” He breaks the silence.

“That would be great. I’m starving.”

“King’s Burger okay?”

“That works for me.”

We hit the drive thru and we both get burgers, fries and a drink. We eat in the car and just as we finish, we pull into Heather and Tyler’s driveway.

“I’ll grab your bags. You can head on in.” He lets me know.

What a gentleman.

Getting out of his truck to make my way towards the front door, it opens and Heather stands there with a big grin.

As I reach her, she asks, “Did you have a good ride with Cole? Oh, and hello! I’m so glad you are here!”

“It was good. Interesting. I have questions for you later.” Responding to her with a wink.

She walks me into the house and out through the back. While making our way towards the apartment over the garage, she points to the left. “That’s Cole’s house, in case you were wondering.”

While climbing the stairs to what is going to be my new home, I’m pretty sure that Heather has some devious plan up her sleeves.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cole

Fuck! It’s never bothered me that Layla and I broke up over three months ago and didn’t go public with it. We’ve just never confirmed or denied it. She didn’t want the media to twist the narrative and make her image worse. But I think it’s time we lay it out in the open.

Why do I care if she thinks I’m not single?

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I walk up the stairs to the apartment over the garage to drop off Adriana’s items. I open the door and clear my throat to give the girls a heads up.

“Where would you like these?” asking her to be nice.

“Can you please put them in the living room?”

I nod, going to place them where she requested before coming back to the kitchen. “I’m heading out. Heather, can you give Adriana my number in case she needs something, and you guys aren’t around?” Asking with a smile. “Welcome to your new home.”

“Yes, that is a great idea! I’ll text it over to you.” Heather says. Adriana’s phone vibrates in her pocket a second later.

“Thank you so much for picking me up and making sure I ate. Much appreciated.” Adriana says to me.

“You are very welcome. Happy to help. I’ll see y’all later for dinner.” I say, walking out of the kitchen.

Once back in my truck, I make my way back to my apartment to continue packing and have a shower. Heather came in clutch with the dinner invitation. It’s one less thing for me to worry about tonight.

What was I thinking of deciding to move when the season was just starting?

Am I excited to be living next door to my brother and my sister-in-law? Hell yes, and it just got even better with my other new neighbor. Ty and Heather are planning to have kids sooner rather than later. We all know that I’m going to be the most amazing kick-ass uncle ever, so it just makes sense for me to live close by. The house next door being for sale at the same time felt like fate.

Unfortunately, it’s just us left. Our parents passed away four years ago in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. When it happened, Ty was twenty-seven, and I was twenty-four. I don’t know what I would have done without my brother. He was and continues to be my rock and best friend. Being able to play for the same team and be there for all the good and bad life has to offer is a blessing and has helped us heal from that loss.

Making it home, I park my truck and take the elevator up to the fifth floor.

Once in my apartment, my eyes look around and see there are boxes everywhere. Yeah, I don’t want to deal with that yet. Instead, I go to my bedroom to finish packing up what is not used daily.

“Cole, where you at?” my brother calls out. He got here sooner than I thought he would.

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