Page 36 of The Obvious Check

He pulls his keys out of his pocket, grumbling. “Some shit went down with my teammates, and I needed some space.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” I quip, diverting my attention to my shoes, which only makes me feel self-conscious again. There’s a hole in the top of my sneaker and I’m starting to see my purple sock peeking through. I could really use a new pair, but I want to save all my money for Adley.

“Eh, it’s all good between us now, and I like it here. Having my own space is nice.” He chuckles and I feel it deep in my chest. So light, so happy. I don’t remember the last time I felt as carefree as that.

“And here we are.” His voice wavers slightly, and there’s a hesitant smile on his lips, even though we’re just standing in front of a door.

“Looks great,” I say to fill the silence.

He swallows before turning and unlocking the door, then pushes it open.

As I step into his apartment, the smell of him immediately hits me like a physical force. Woodsy and masculine, it offers me a sense of comfort I only remember feeling at my parents’ house before everything turned to shit.

Before I can really think about what that means, a furry cannonball slams into my legs.

“Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention I have a dog. I hope you aren’t allergic.”

I drop to my knees and stroke the dog’s black, white, and brown fur. “I love them.” The dog leans into my touch as I scratch under his chin. “What’s his name?”

“Stanley Biscuit.”

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Stanley,” I say, giving his ears another scratch.

“Are you sure? I can put him in my room if he makes you feel uncomfortable.”

Stanley rests his paws on my knees, lifting himself up to lick my cheek, making me giggle. “Don’t worry. I’m good. I always wanted a dog growing up and this guy is the cutest.”

“Oh, yeah?” Cade slips behind me to shut the door, his eyes on me and his dog the entire time. “You hear that, Stanley? She likes you.”

Stanley licks my cheek again, and his paw comes up to my shoulder as I wrap my arm around his back, giving him a little hug.

“I guess she’s a keeper,” Cade says lightly as he walks farther into the apartment, turning the lights on.

Still stroking Stanley’s head, I stand and look around his apartment in awe. It’s heavenly. Everything I’d ever want for Adley and me, but nothing I could ever afford.

“The kitchen's there,” Cade says, walking past the sleek black cabinets that probably cost more than everything I own combined. “Have any and everything you want in the fridge. I apologize now for the obscene amount of pasta I eat. I need a lot of carbs during the season. Are you hungry? I could whip something up for you.”

My stomach growls so loudly it practically echoes, betraying me completely. Not that I'd ever admit it.

“No, thank you.” I wave him off, giving him a shaky smile as I trail behind him like a lost puppy.

With his hands on the quartz countertop, Cade makes the massive space look somehow inadequate, his broad shoulders and tall frame dwarfing the expensive furniture. The island with barstools draws my attention to the living room with its pristine gray couch that barely looks used.

“And I guess this room over here is pretty self-explanatory.” Cade walks past me, opening his arms out to showcase the TV that's roughly the size of my entire car. “This is the living room area. I don't have much.” Liar. “Remote's here if you need it.” He lifts the controller off the coffee table, only putting it down when I nod like an obedient child. As if I'm going to have time to watch TV tonight. It's already 3:00 a.m. and the thought of sinking into an actual mattress is making me lightheaded with anticipation.

“Okay.” The word comes out small and uncertain, like I'm afraid speaking too loudly might break the spell and I'll wake up back in my car.

“Oh, also, down there is the laundry room if you want to do any while you're here.” He points to a door down the hallway we just walked through, and I nod, unable to make eye contact with him. Was that a subtle dig that I smell? I try to go to the laundromat once every two weeks, stealing quarters from my tip jar that should be going toward my debt, and I figure the showers at the gym and cold weather have kept most odors at bay, but maybe I've gone nose-blind to my own stench.

I wave him off, trying to appear casual. “I'm only here one night.” As if I'm a hotel guest with options.

“Well, then you might as well get your use out of it. Everything's there. You can just pop a load in before you go to bed.” The way he says it makes it sound so normal, like I'm not a charity case he scraped off the pavement.

“Uh, thanks,” I say, still feeling like this is some elaborate prank and any minute now someone's going to jump out with cameras.

“The place is gorgeous,” I say, not because I feel like I have to, but because it’s the truth. This space is so perfectly Cade without even trying. Much like him. Cade is effortless. His mannerisms. His looks. Nothing about him screams high-maintenance and that’s what I’ve always found intriguing about him.

“Thanks. Do you know Aiden Matthews?”

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