Page 58 of Vegas Heat

The same view is in sight from Troy’s place, which is only about a mile from my new place—he’s a mile closer to the stadium than me. We’re both close enough that it won’t be much of a commute, convenient given that the field is where we’ll spend most of our time once we’re in season and not traveling.

And that convenience store that’s within walking distance of my place is the mid-point between our houses. I stop just to grab a few Slim Jims, and sure enough, there’s a big display of them right beside the register.

I tell the cashier to keep them fully stocked since I’ll be in quite often.

I suck in a breath.

This is it.

I’m really doing this.

I talked to my mom for an hour on the way here.

I blasted Dave Matthews Band for the other four hours.

I allowed a few Taylor Swift songs in the mix, too, and I thought about Gabby the entire time, imagining her dancing across the room as she belts out the words to the songs.

My life is about to change. There’s no way around that. I’m finding myself suddenly in a committed relationship with a girl twelve years younger than me. I’m getting back into the game. I’m moving over three hundred miles from what’s been home for the last few years.

There will be highs and lows with these changes, of course. That’s just part of life. But right now, everything’s looking pretty damn rosy.

I ring Troy’s bell, and the door opens a few beats later. Troy stands there, a glass of whiskey held out in greeting. “Welcome to Vegas, man,” he says, and I take the offering from his outstretched hand.

“Thanks, boss.”

“Come on in,” he says. He glances down at my suitcase beside me and the duffel bag slung over my arm. “You got more in the car?”

I shake my head. “All my shit is packed up on a pod that’s being parked in the next day or two in some storage facility a few miles away. I’ll be living out of my suitcase until my house is ready.”

“Well, mi casa, su casa. Make yourself at home, and help yourself to anything you’d like.” He opens the door wider to allow me in. “Let me show you your room.”

He takes me through the mansion, and I recall him mentioning a daughter, but apart from her, nobody else appears to live here. Nobody else is home, either.

“A few others who will be working with us are coming over in a bit,” he says as he shows me the bedroom where I’ll be staying. It has a king size bed with nightstands on either side, a desk and dresser, an ensuite bathroom, and a balcony with a great view—all I need, really. “My daughter’s room is right next door, so try to keep your bachelor shenanigans to a dull roar when she’s home.”

I laugh as I think about Gabby, and sometimes we just can’t help it…we’re not quiet when we’re in the heat of the moment.

“I’m not so much the bachelor anymore,” I admit as I roll my suitcase to one corner and set my duffel down on the bed.

“Oh?” he asks.

“I met a girl when I was in town for our initial meeting. It’s been a fucking whirlwind, but…yeah, I think it’s safe to say I’m officially off the market.”

“Good for you, man. I’m off the market myself. My better half, Joanie—at the club, she goes by her last name, Sapphire—and I have been in a relationship for a while now. It’s probably about time to introduce her to my daughter, but it’s complicated,” he says.

I offer a wry smile. “Aren’t they all?”

“Doesn’t sound like it was for you,” he points out.

I shake my head. “Nah. It came really naturally, actually. There’s just something about her…it’s like I’ve known her my whole life and we were both just spinning our wheels until fate brought us into each other’s orbits.”

“Good for you, man. I know you had it rough with Stacy.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “You have no idea. This girl’s a breath of fresh air. She’s warm and kind, and…” I trail off, and then I glance over at him.

He fills in the rest. “And she’s a fucking animal where it counts?”

“Top notch.” I make a circle with my thumb and forefinger.

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