Page 30 of Breakaway

“Got it,” I say. My fingers freeze on the blanket. The thought crosses my mind, and before I think it through, I blurt, “Any chance I can bring someone with me?”

There’s a pause on Colton’s end, and I clearly hear his footsteps and then the sound of a door closing. “You got yourself a girl?”

More like a wife.“Yeah, but it’s complicated.”

“Doesn’t sound complicated if you want her to meet your friends,” Colton points out. “But absolutely, bring her with you. I can’t wait to meet her.”

You’ve already met her.The words threaten to spill out, but I force myself not to say anything. A phone call is not how I want to tell my friends about what happened in Vegas.

“How was your trip? Did you have fun?”

Plopping onto my back, I stare at the ceiling and start telling Colton about Vegas—without mentioning Nevaeh, of course. That’s a secret I’m going to keep…for now.

I pushthe door open and slowly walk out of the bathroom. A towel is wrapped tightly around my hips, and water drips from my hair down my face and my chest. I spent more time in the shower than I’d initially planned, but the feeling was just too good. The tension in my muscles disappeared, replaced by a warmth that spread over my skin and loosened up the knots in my chest. Hopefully, that feeling will help me sleep through the night.

“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you!” Nevaeh’s voice halts me in my tracks. Shouldn’t she be in her room? “This is the best news ever, Angie. I’m not only going to be an auntie, but also a maid of?—”

The second her gaze meets mine, she stops talking. Open-mouthed, Nevaeh gapes at me from the couch in the living room. I run my fingers through my hair, shuffling uncomfortably. With a dip of my head, I give her a crooked smile and proceed to my room. Before I close the door, the sound of Nevaeh clearing her throat reaches my ears.

“Sorry, Angie. I just saw something, and…um…it’s nothing. What matters is your news. Tell me everything.”

Shaking my head at my stupidity, I go to the walk-in closet.Prosto ofigenno?2.I made a total fool out of myself in front ofNevaeh. Just because she was busy in her room when I got into the shower doesn’t mean she would stay there the whole time. I don’t live alone anymore, and I need to remember that.

Thank God I still have three weeks before preseason starts. I can use it to get to know Nevaeh, and we can make some rules so this will be comfortable for both of us. Walking out in nothing but a towel is definitely not on the list.

I should know better.

“Here.”I set a plate of mashed potatoes and fried chicken wings in front of Nevaeh. “Hope you like it.”

Sitting in the chair across from her, I pull the bowl of salad toward me and put some on my plate. It’s nothing fancy, just tomatoes with cucumber and lettuce seasoned with olive oil and a little bit of salt. I would’ve added green onions like my mom always does, but the look on Nevaeh’s face when she saw me taking them out of the fridge made me reconsider it. Maybe next time.

As I start eating, I can’t help but sneak glances at my new roommate. My curiosity sizzles inside me, the desire to know what she thinks about my cooking growing with each passing second. What if she doesn’t like it?

“Where did you learn to cook like this?” Nevaeh asks, adding some salad to her plate. “It’s delicious.”

I shrug, trying to act indifferent—and failing, because a smile blooms on my lips. “My mom worked a lot, and she didn’t always have time to cook. So she taught me.”

She grins at me, taking a glass of apple juice from the table. “I’ve said this before, but your mom really raised a good man. A guy who knows how to cook? A ten out of ten, immediately.”

“She didn’t want me to starve to death, that’s all,” I joke, ignoring the warmth that spreads across my skin, and the unfamiliar feeling that forms in the pit of my stomach. “Ordering in is easier some days, especially when I’m traveling for away games. But if I have time, I’ll always choose homemade food.”

“So this won’t be the last time you cook for us?”

“If you want me to, of course,” I say, finishing my dinner.

Nevaeh points her fork at me, a big smile playing on her lips. “I’m definitely going to take you up on that, Roman. I know how to cook, but it’s not my favorite.”

“Then I’ll do the cooking.”

“What if I do the cleaning?” she asks, and I cock an eyebrow at her, expecting an explanation. “I thought we could discuss what each of us are going to do since we will be living together.”

“Cleaning is all yours.” I nod, taking my mug from the table. “Just a little reminder of what I said in Vegas: you don’t need to pay for rent or utilities.”

She gives me an eye roll. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m yourguest. I remember.” Looking around the room, she slowly moves her finger over the rim of her glass. “I actually forgot…Angie asked me to come over for a sleepover tomorrow night. I’m planning to go there right after work and be back Wednesday evening. Is that okay with you?”

“Of course it’s okay. You don’t need to ask permission to go somewhere. Just give me a heads-up so I know you’re not going to be home,” I say. “And while we’re on the subject of plans…do you have any for Saturday? My friend Colton invited me to his wife’s birthday party, and I kinda asked if I could bring you with me. Only if you’re comfortable.”

“Did you tell him it would beme?” Her eyes round as she gawks at me with parted lips.

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