“Is there… Did you…meet someone else?”
“Teagan…” she pleads. “Can we just leave it? Please?”
My arms drop to my sides in defeat. She cheated on me. I should have known. Every time I called her while she was away, she either kept the conversation short or didn’t answer. She would text me later, claiming that she had been in meetings all day and was exhausted. I wanted her to stay focused and be successful while she was there, so I never pressed the issue.
“Who is he?”
“Don’t, Teag. All you need to know is that I’m moving to San Antonio this summer and finishing my degree there,” she tells me, shame lacing her every word.
I blow out a rough breath and rake my fingers through my hair. “You’re moving? You must really love him, then. I guess there’s nothing left to say, is there? You didn’t talk to me because you’d already made up your mind, didn’t you?”
Ashley timidly closes the space between us, placing a kiss on my cheek. “I’m sorry. I really am. I neverwanted to hurt you.”
Then she walks out of my apartment and out of my life.
“Oi! O’Brien!” Rowan yells, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Right, sorry, mate. Yeah, I’ll go get him.”
I take off in a jog across the pitch to where my friend and teammate is kissing his girl passionately. It’s pretty impressive actually. I’m about to make some smart-arse comment when I hear someone clear their throat. Turning, my gaze lands on the most luscious woman I’ve ever seen. Her long ebony hair hangs to the middle of her back in loose waves. The setting sun gilds her tawny skin and lights up the brightest pair of brown eyes I’ve ever had the pleasure of staring into.
“I didn’t think they were going to come up for air; did you, lass?” I ask, peering up at the dark beauty from the sideline.
She giggles and shakes her head. Her cheeks darken with blush, and it makes me want to preen like a damned peacock.
“Oi! Kennedy! You can snog your girl later! Coach wants us in the locker room like five minutes ago!” Ro yells from across the field, clearly not trusting me to do my job.
All three of us are Irish, having transferred overseas at the same time. We didn’t know each other at all until meeting on the field, but we bonded immediately and are usually referred to as the Irish trio.Eamon and I have similar personalities—both more reserved. Rowan Gallagher, however, is anything but reserved. I’m convinced it’s due to the ginger hair.
While Eamon says goodbye to Norah, I keep my eyes on her friend. She has that voluptuous hourglass figure that makes me want to bite my knuckles and groan. She’s an absolute smoke show, and I’m not leaving until I know her name.
“It’s true,” the girl says with a faint accent, remarking on something Norah just said. “She’s an amazing baker too! I can blame every single one of these curves on her!”
She gestures toward her body with a sweeping hand motion.
“You say that like it’s a problem,” I say, climbing over the barrier to stand by Eamon. Eyeing her appreciatively, I watch as she blushes again. I thrusta hand in her direction and drawl, “Name’s Teagan O’Brien. You are?”
“Uh…um. Layla. Layla Diaz.” Her voice quavers nervously as she places a soft hand in mine.
“Pleasure, love. Now, excuse me while I take Romeo here before Coach blows a gasket.” I wink at her. “See you around, Layla.”
A grin spreads across my face as we jog back across the pitch and enter the locker rooms.
* * *
By the time I get home, I’m completely spent, having been up early to study for a test and then in class until about an hour before I had to be at the pitch. I used that hour to eat a late lunch and call my mum. I try to call her once every couple of weeks. After visiting for a few minutes and ascertaining that all is well back in Ireland, I made my way to the pitch to do warm-ups with the team. The game had gone spectacularly. We beat our rivals from Duke University, mostly thanks to Eamon’s hat trick, but I’m pretty proud of the shots I blocked from entering the net. As the Seahawks’ goalie, I make it my mission to defend that goal like a warrior defending a fortress.
Walking into my apartment complex, I stop to check the mail, finding a couple of bills, some junk mail, and a letter from the landlord. Christ, I hope the rent isn’t going up. I’m doing okay financially, but I’ve been saving for a trip back home to see my family. Sliding a finger under the flap of the envelope, I trudge up the stairs to my second-floor flat. I’ve just reached the landing when I get to the point of the letter.
Attention Tenants:
I regret to inform you that the building will be under new management as of two weeks from today’s date. The new management will be completely renovating the complex, requiring all current tenants to relocate indefinitely. If interested in keeping residence here, please visit the website listed below to fill out the inquiry form. Unfortunately, they will not be offering the completed units to current tenants before listing them to the public. It is strictly on a first come, first servedbasis. Due to these circumstances, I will be refunding everyone’s original deposits and this month’s rent. I will refer anyone to a new complex should they decide to pursue that route.
I apologize for any inconvenience this causes.
Sincerely,
Allen Roper
