* * *
“Now, this is a good neighborhood.”Slowing my truck, I pointed to a row of houses that lined the street. Each one was a different pastel color, forming a rainbow as far down as we could see. “It’s new, too. The developer used the same company who built my house, so I can vouch for the quality of the construction. It’s gated, with twenty-four/seven security, and it’s about ten minutes to the stadium, though I’d take the backroads if you’re driving during rush hour.”
“They’re so pretty.” Juliet lowered her dark sunglasses down her nose a little as she gazed out the window. “But they’re really close together, aren’t they?”
I shrugged. “It’s the new thing, I guess. Yeah, you don’t have a lot of lawn or distance between you and the neighbors, but apparently, your utility bills will be lower. Oh, and they offer a lot of upgrades in the neighborhood as part of your homeowners’ association fee—cable, WiFi and access to an Olympic-size swimming pool and a pretty great gym. Or so I hear.”
Juliet turned back to me. “And you hear this from . . . other players? Do some of the guys live here?”
“Nah.” I shook my head. “Most of us live in houses with a lot more privacy.” I spoke without thinking.
“Oh, and I don’t need that kind of privacy, huh?” Juliet teased. “Because I’m just a lowly team nutritionist.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I back-peddled. “Just that most of us are in a different situation. But unless you want to live in a high-rise with a doorman, this or something like this place is your best bet.”
“I’m just kidding.” She shifted and gazed back to her window. “I think I like this. I’ll want to tour a couple of the models, but if they have something that will be available in the next month or two, I’m sold.”
“I can get you the information.” I put the truck into gear and eased away from the curb. “You should be able to set something up soon. Do you have your furniture and stuff in storage around here or still up in Atlanta?”
“Oh, no. I don’t have anything. I’ll just buy whatever I need.” She turned a sunny smile to me. “I’d want all new stuff anyway. I like to make sure everything fits in perfectly.”
I nodded slowly, thinking to myself how easily she’d announced her intent to buy an entire house of new furniture and knick-knacks, something most people never got to experience in a lifetime. I was well aware of my own privilege. I tried not to take it for granted. But I also had a ton of friends who worked damned hard just to scrape by. It struck me how little they’d have in common with a woman like Juliet Connors.
If she noticed my sudden silence, Juliet gave no evidence. She chattered on merrily as I drove out of the development and headed back toward her condo.
“Hey.” She broke off when she realized where I was going. “How about I take you out to dinner tonight? As a small thank you for your help today, I mean.”
I hesitated. “Ah, I’m not sure that’s a great idea. Tomorrow’s game day, and I try to be in bed by nine o’clock.”
“But it’s only four right now,” Juliet pointed out. “Let’s make it an early dinner. And we don’t have to go anywhere fancy . . . I just really don’t feel like eating alone in my condo on my first Saturday night in Florida.”
When she put it that way, there wasn’t any option for me to say no. Swallowing back a sigh—I reallywasready to go home and have some peace and quiet—I made a sharp left at the next intersection.
“Okay. There’s a place a few minutes from here—it’s nothing much, just kind of a glorified bar, but it’s right on the bay, and the food’s decent.”
“That sounds perfect. I love eating by the water.” Juliet wriggled in her seat a little. “Isn’t it cool to find new places to eat, or go dancing, or . . . I don’t know, have fun? I lived in the same house until I went to college, and I’m having such a blast discovering what the world has to offer now.”
When she said shit like that, I felt as ancient as the hills, because honestly? New restaurants and new places to live only made me tired. The idea of being traded again and having to figure out how to exist in a new city terrified me, frankly. I couldn’t imagine having to do that without Angela by my side to share the experience.
“I guess I’m just boring.” I slid her a quick smile of apology. “I’m kind of stuck in my ways. I like to eat at the same old places, I have a very strict routine . . . and I don’t dance.”
“How about fun? Are you against that, too?” I knew she was just playing, but the tone of her voice brought me up short, and my response was slightly harsher than I intended.
“Not against it, but not looking for it, either.” I swung into the parking lot of the bar. “I’m very serious about my work, Juliet. I don’t like to mess around when I’m about to spend four quarters on the field battling another team the next day. I’m not one of those football players you hear about who spends all my time off partying. What I do requires incredible focus and energy. I can’t afford to fuck around.”
“Whoa there, tiger.” She unsnapped her seat belt and turned to face me. “No one mentioned fucking around. I was just asking what you like to do in your off-hours. If your thing is sitting around, reading books and listening to jazz, that’s cool. No judgement here.”
“I don’t listen to jazz,” I mumbled. “And I don’t read old books. I just—I like what I like. And my life is fine the way it is.”
“Uh-huh.” She fiddled with the strap of her handbag. “So why did you agree to help me today? If your routine is so important and strict, why didn’t you just tell me you didn’t have time or whatever?”
I glanced away from her. “Because I’m also a decent guy most of the time, and where I come from, if someone needs a hand and you can give it to her, you do it.”
“Hmmm.” Juliet tapped one finger against the armrest. “But it had nothing to do with what your coach was saying to you the other day?”
I closed my eyes and heaved out a long breath. “Look, you heard the tail end of that talk, okay? But I’m not going to lie to you. Coach asked me to keep an eye on you, to make sure you got settled in. He wants me to run interference with the guys on the team, too, so they don’t . . . you know. Act inappropriately. Hit on you.”
“Ahhh.” She nodded. “That’s what he told you?”
