Page 55 of Famous Last Words
Me: Maybe…
Robbie: Actually, there’s a guy on the team, Alex. He’s looking for a place in the city. He lives up in Westchester somewhere, but he has a newborn and wants a place to stay after the games instead of driving home late and waking the baby. I’ll introduce you if you’d like.
My heart jumps at the thought. Not only of the possibility of a new client, but that Robbie would even think to do that. For me.
Me: OMG Robbie! That would be awesome! I’m already thinking of a couple of places we have listed at the moment, although one of the listing agents is Tadd ??
Robbie: How is the royal bag of dicks since I had words with him? Hasn’t been giving you any more trouble?
I consider telling Robbie about Tadd. About how he’s been harassing me at work, and how he practically cornered me with Tony to co-list with him. But as much as I love seeing someone stand up to Tadd, I don’t think I want to risk upsetting him again; I need my job. And unfortunately, Tadd Jennings has the power to make things very uncomfortable for me at work.
Me: No. Not at all.
Robbie: Good. You tell me if he does. I’ll pay him a visit.
Why is that so hot?
Me: Nope. All good.
Robbie: Can I ask you something?
I relax back against my mountain of pillows, grabbing my mug of hot chocolate and taking a sip that warms me through.
Me: Sure.
The three dots appear in the text window for a long time. But then they’re gone. Then they’re back. Gone again. And then…
Robbie: Actually, can I call you?
My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. I feel entirely unprepared for a phone call. And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s being unprepared.
Me: Ok…
A few seconds later, the device illuminates in my hand, vibrating with a call from Robbie Mason. I take a deep breath, centering myself as best I can before sliding to answer.
“Hey,” I say, like it’s no big deal he’s calling me at ten p.m.
“Hey.” Even through the phone, his baritone is like chocolate, rich and velvety, a slight rasp that does things to me I don’t necessarily dislike.
“What’s up?” My own voice is a lot less self-assured than it normally is—basically a mortifying squeak—and I close my eyes in the hope that he doesn’t notice.
“Okay, so, you can totally say no if you want?—”
I wait a few seconds, but he doesn’t continue. “O-kay…”
Robbie clears his throat, and although I can’t see him, something tells me he’s suddenly a lot less cool, calm, and collected than he usually is; he almost sounds nervous. Very un-Robbie Mason.
“We have a game coming up… in Boston.” He releases a breath like he’d been holding onto it. “I spoke to my coaches and told them about my ma, and they’ve given me special consideration to stay up there for a couple extra nights.”
I roll my lips between my teeth, confused as to how this has anything to do with me.
“I know it wasn’t included on the itinerary I sent you, but I was wondering if you w-would um… if you would wanna maybe come meet her?”
Stunned, shocked, and everything in between, I’m at a loss for words and breath, it seems. The only part of me that’s working is my brain, completely overthinking what he’s just asked me.
“You still there?”
I clear my throat. At least he knows the call hasn’t died. “Umm, I?—”
