Page 97 of Catching Feelings

?CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

MILES

By the time I left my aunt’s, it was too late to stop by Rowan’s. My sleep has sucked lately, and after four hours of flopping around my mattress, I finally conked out, only to be awoken by my alarm at eight for practice.

We usually get to sleep in after a game, but since the whole team has been off, it’s morning meetings, film, meetings with the trainers, then light practice. I take a quick nap when I get home, then head across the city. I’ve never understood the term rush hour traffic, when there’s anything but rushing happening on the streets of Boston. I’m idling more than I’m driving, and it’s a little past six by the time I make it to Rowan’s.

An elderly lady leaves the building as I jog up the stoop and I hold the door open for her.

“Thank you, honey,” she says as she makes her way down the final steps. I’d offer to help her, but then I’d lose my chance at sneaking in the building.

When I see she’s made it to the sidewalk safely, I make my way up the stairs to Rowan’s apartment. I haven’t planned out what I’m going to say to her, but I knock on the door before I chicken out.

Not that I’m afraid of her, but I’m worried she won’t like me overstepping by being here.

“Are you kidding me?” a muffled voice says from the other side of the door. “Don’t tell me you forgot your keys. I’m not supposed to get up.”

The door opens and a woman stands in front of me. Natalie McDaniels. Her right leg is in a brace, and she’s right. She shouldn’t be standing on it.

“Oh, hi.” Her face softens and she doesn’t hide the way her eyes rake over my body. “Can I help you?”

She sticks her chest out, which is challenging while leaning on two crutches.

“Is Rowan here?” I keep my eyes above neck-level, not that I’m tempted in the least to check her out.

“She stepped out to pick up dinner.”

The apartment smells delicious, like garlic, basil, and oregano. I glance over Natalie’s head and notice a pan of lasagna on the counter. “Looks like dinner is ready.”

Natalie glances over her shoulder. “Oh, that? My sister just took it out of the oven. She may not care about the extra pounds around her hips and thighs, but I do. It’s important to eat well to keep your body looking good. I see you follow my same sentiment.”

The fuck?

Rowan worked all day, came home and made dinner, then her sister sent her out for rabbit food? I’m pissed as hell at Natalie, but I need to make nice so she’ll let me in.

“Are you and Rowan...” She lifts her brow in question, and it’s hard to tell if she’s curious or disgusted that I might be with her sister.

“We’re friends.”

Her smile grows wide. “I figured,” she says, like the possibility of someone being with her sister is unrealistic.

Again. The fuck? Even if Rowan hadn’t told me,Adam, about her family, I wouldn’t like her sister.

“You should get off your feet.” I nod toward her brace.

“You’re so thoughtful. I wish everyone was more aware of the pain I’ve been going through since my surgery. Have you ever torn your ACL?”

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