Page 13 of Stealing Home

“I can go grab one from upstairs for you now.” Ty chimes in to fuck with me.

“No, you already have someone wearing your number.” stating the obvious while pointing at Heather. “Your wife.”

“Whatever. How about this? We both get Adriana a jersey to wear and she can pick for herself.” Ty tells us his bright idea.

I look at him with a look that says like she’ll choose you over me, yeah right.

“That’s an idea. Ladies, let me know if you need more muscle besides my brother to help with anything for the foundation plans. I’m happy to show up for more than the planned pictures and autographs.” I let the ladies know.

And of course my sister-in-law is cheeky in her response. “Well, since you’re offering, there are some books we need to load up into both our cars that we have to bring to the stadium.”

“Alright, let’s do this so I can get home.” responding as we all move to get up from the table.

Thirty minutes later, Ty and I have loaded all the boxes the ladies needed. They were heavy as shit. I hope they have help to unload the cars too.

“Thanks for dinner, Sis. Ty, see you tomorrow at practice. Adriana, see you Friday!” I tell the trio before turning towards my truck..

Opening day is the day after tomorrow. There might be added nerves with Adriana being there and wanting to impress her. Lord, what is wrong with me? Knock it off, man, focus on the game, not the hot as hell woman who’s now going to be around all the time.

CHAPTER TEN

Adriana

Friday is here and my nerves are growing with each passing minute. I’m so afraid of forgetting something or messing up royally.Okay, Adriana, stop freaking out. Mentally going over everything I have and need and checking them all off.

My phone rings while walking down to my car. Pulling it out of and seeing it wasn’t Heather, I let it go to voicemail. Just as my car turns on, my phone starts ringing again and it’s the same number from a moment ago. It’s a Colorado number and my memory sparks that I offered to be a reference for one of my old coworkers.

“Hello.”

“Adriana, please don’t hang up on me. I need to talk to you.” Toby’s voice comes through the phone.

I’m stuck and can’t move. It’s been months since the day I walked out of his place and never looked back. Since that night, his number has been blocked.

Girl, get it together because there is someone waiting for you.

“What do you want Toby?” asking him while putting my car in drive to make my way to the stadium. Thankfully, Heather hastaken me there a few times this week already, so my GPS is not needed to navigate me there.

“I just wanted to hear your voice. When I went by your place and knocked on your door, I found out that you don’t live there anymore. I wanted to apologize to you about what happened. I miss you so much and just wanted to see you. Is there any way that you would ever meet me for coffee or anything so I can talk to you in person?” Toby blurts out.

“Well, Toby, to be a thousand percent honest, I don’t really know what there is to talk about. I found you in bed with two fucking women on one of the shittest days of my life. I’m not interested in trying to work things out with you, nor am I interested in hearing your excuses or reasonings. But you know what Toby, it wasn’t the shittest day in my life because it’s allowed me to follow a new path that is making me happier.” Informing him.

I need to get him off the phone soon because I’m almost at the stadium and there is still so much to do. Entertaining him any longer will just encourage him.

“Please Adriana. I can come to you. Did you finally find a better apartment that you liked more? Did you get a promotion at work or did you get a new job from one of the places you interviewed at?” He is digging and trying to keep me on the phone.

“No, Toby. I didn’t get a promotion. I had just gotten laid off before I came over and found you in bed with your two freaky floozies. Here’s the deal.” I lay it all out for him in a monotone voice. “I no longer live in Colorado. My life is no longer there. You have not and will not be a part of my life anymore. We are over, done and have been for months! You will not contact me again. Your phone number has been blocked, and that should have been a clue that I didn’t want to talk to you at all. I’m sorry you are going through whatever you are to make you want to callme but, I’m no longer interested in being there for you nor do I want to be. The time for that has passed. You had months to reach out to me in this way, but you didn’t.

“And let’s be honest, it wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. You broke my trust and my heart. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the first time, just the first time you got caught red-handed. Please understand that I’m not and will not be okay with having any type of contact or having your presence in my life at all. I just can’t. I wish you well, but I need to go.”

Parking as I hit the button to hang up the call. Toby was trying to respond, but it didn’t matter what he was trying to say to me. Sighing while my head rests on the steering wheel.

Don’t cry, Adriana.

Feeling proud of myself that I didn’t let him get to me or allow myself to feel bad for him. It feels so good to stand up for myself. There is a knock on my window that causes me to jump and the tears I was trying to hold back start to fall. Turning my head to look to see who it is and, of course, it’s Cole. He whips my door open before I can do anything and he’s squatting to wipe away the tears.

“What’s wrong? Is there anything I can do? What do you need?” he asks with such worry in voice.

“Cole. I’m okay, thank you. I just had to deal with something I thought was over. But I wouldn’t say no to two things if you’re up for them.” I say to him with the start of a smile because this man is slowly starting to weasel his way into making me think that maybe dating might be a good idea.

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