Page 14 of Breakaway

“It’s good to be home. Michael and Meghan are happy to spend time with their grandparents, because they obviously let them do way more than Ava and I do,” my teammate says, making me chuckle.

“Your kids have you wrapped around their fingers, man. You’re delusional if you think that’s not true.”

“I’m not as strict as Ava, but that doesn’t mean I let them do whatever they want,” he retorts.

“With Michael? Maybe not. But Meghan’s got you tied up in knots.” I laugh as I remember him dressed up in aPaw Patrolcostume. “You were the most adorable police dog I’ve ever seen.”

“Remind me to never invite you to our Halloween party ever again,” he grumpily scoffs. “What have you been up to? Did you decide where you want to go?”

“Just booked a trip to Vegas.” I close my laptop and put it on the small wooden table next to me.

“Vegas?” Colton asks. “Are you going alone?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Because no one goes to Vegas alone, Roman. It’s a place where you go to have fun, let loose, and not worry about anything. You need someone to look after you.”

“I think I’ll be fine.” I shrug, looking down at the pool and seeing two girls sitting on the edge, their legs dangling in the water. One of them is my neighbor, a cute brunette with an inviting smile and tits to die for. We’ve talked a few times, and last week she invited me to her place forcoffee. I was teetering on three hours of sleep with a massive headache, so I said no, and I don’t think she took it well.

“At least tell me what hotel you’re staying at so I can check on you.”

“Fuck off, Colt. I’m not a child.”

“You’re three years younger than me,” he counters, laughing, happy he was able to rile me up. “But, seriously, Roman, I wish you’d take someone with you. It would be way more fun.”

A light knock makes me jump, and I turn my head to notice Nevaeh standing behind the closed glass door to the patio. I nod, and she slides the door open, stepping outside and slumping down onto the chair across from me. She pulls her legs to her chest and wraps an arm around her ankles. Her sapphire blue eyes focus on me, and a little smile plays on her lips.

“Roman?” Colton’s voice in my ear makes me finally stop staring at Nevaeh.

“Sorry, I just spaced out.” I glance at the girl across from me. She’s no longer watching me; her eyes are diverted to the pool. My friend’s words echo in my head, but I push them away. Asking her to go to Vegas with me? She’ll think I’m crazy.“Everything’s going to be fine. I was pretty wild when I was younger; you don’t need to worry about me.”

“I remember your stories,” Colton says. A kid’s voice gets louder on the other end of the phone. “Sorry, man. Meghan wants me to help her find her teddy.”

“Of course. Tell the wife and kids I said hi.”

“Will do. Bye.”

I hang up, put my phone on the table beside my laptop, and peer at Nevaeh. She’s wearing a white crop top and gray sweatpants, her hair collected in two braids.Comfort. The word comes to my mind, and my body fills with warmth. She’s calm, and her skin is glowing in the light of the setting sun. My heart starts to beat faster, my eyes glued to her face. She’s so beautiful…I can’t even force myself to look away.

“Roman?” Nevaeh says, and I blink away the spell she put on me. “I said I’m sorry for interrupting. It’s getting late, and I thought maybe we could order something. I don’t really want to eat alone.”

“No worries, and that sounds good to me.” I nod, standing up and collecting my things from the table. She joins me, and I let her in first, sliding the door closed once we’re in my bedroom. I put my laptop on my bed and slip my phone into my pocket, meeting her gaze the second I look up. “What do you usually have for dinner?”

“It’s not what I usually have, but I’m really craving pizza.” Nevaeh closes her eyes. There’s a dreamy expression on her face, and a cute smile adorns her features. “Anything with mushrooms and cheese…God, even thinking about it…” She opens her eyes, noticing me staring at her. “Sorry.”

Chuckling, I shake my head and go to the kitchen with her padding beside me. Without her heels on, she doesn’t even reach my shoulder. My lips stretch into a big smile; a nickname flashes in my head, and I know it suits her better than anything.

I glance at her, pulling the menu for the closest pizza place out from the drawer. “Let’s order some pizza, Malyshka?1.”

“God,this is the best pizza I’ve ever had!” Nevaeh sighs. The nape of her neck rests on the back of the couch, and her eyes are closed.

“Or you were just really hungry,” I say, propping my feet up on the coffee table.

She snorts. One of her eyes opens and peers at me. “You’re not going to ruin my good mood.”

I raise my hands in front of me in surrender. “Your wish is my command, Malyshka.”

That gets her full attention, because she sits up straighter with her gaze trained on me, curiosity swimming behind her irises. Arching an eyebrow, she half turns to me. “That’s the second time today you’ve called me that. What does it mean?”

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