He picks up on the first ring.
“I miss you.” He laughs into the phone.
My heart swells at his admission. The truth is, I’m falling hard for Leo. I just hope he’s there to catch me.
“I miss you too,” I say into the phone with a smile.
“How’s work?”
I can’t help but sigh.
“That doesn’t sound good. Are you alright?”
“I think so. My boss wants to see me in about twenty minutes and I don’t have any idea why.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s nothing bad. Maybe your boss just wants to tell you what a perfect nurse you are.”
I giggle. “I wish that were true, but thanks for the vote of confidence anyway.”
Suddenly, Leo gets quiet. My stomach drops for the second time today.
“What is it, Leo?”
“Well, there’s a party on Saturday night at my coach’s house. Since official practices start next week, it’s our last time to eat and drink what we want for a while.”
I’m not sure why he’s telling me this.
“I, uh, was hoping you’d come with me. You know, since you’re my girlfriend and everything.”
Leo makes me giggle like I’m in high school and the guy I have a crush on noticed me.
“Of course I’ll go. I don’t get out of work until six o'clock that night though. What time is the party?”
“It starts at five. I’ll wait for you and we can go together.”
I glance at my watch. I need to get back to clock in before I see Georgia.
“Sounds great. I have to go and meet with my boss now though. We can talk about the party tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” he asks.
“OK, tonight?” I laugh.
“That’s better. Call me when you can. I’ll be thinking about you.”
“Talk to you in a few hours.”
I hope I have good news when I talk to him next time. I blow out a sigh, gather up my leftovers, and head in to meet with my boss.
Leo
It’s almost seven o’clock. Sophia should be out of work at eight. I know she was worried about whatever her supervisor wanted to tell her, but I know there’s no way it’s anything bad.
“Here, Cam.” Chris brings me a beer from the kitchen. He collapses onto the sofa, while I relax in the recliner.
Chris and I spent the day at the practice field. The guys from the team were taking shots against Chris while I just worked on my mechanics. My orthopedic doctor examined me this morning and felt my fracture was pretty much healed. He said I should be able to play the season opener in three weeks.
“I’m fucked,” Chris blurts out.
I cough, choking on my beer.
“Sorry, hang on,” I manage to get out between gasps.
Once my coughing subsides, I turn to him expectantly. “What the fuck happened now?”
Chris leans back dramatically. I know right away it’s a woman. Question is, which one?
“Brenda or Cheyenne?”
Chris laughs. “Never Cheyenne. She means nothing to me. It’s Brenda,” he groans.
“She spent the night Saturday night, and once again she ghosted me. She was gone before I got up. She won’t answer my texts.”
“So, she treats you the way you treat Cheyenne. Is that the reason you want her? Because she doesn’t want you?”
“Jesus, Cam, thanks. Way to make a guy feel like shit.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “Sorry, you know what I mean.”
“The thing is, I didn’t even contact her. Brenda just showed up at our door, barely said two words to me, stripped off her clothes on the way to my room, and was waiting for me when I got in there.”
“Wow, OK, so what’d you do?” I know it’s a stupid question, but I have to know.
“I stripped and gave her what she wanted. What the hell do you think I did?”
I laugh. “I don’t blame you, but I don’t understand why she keeps coming to you if she isn’t interested. And you need to get your head on straight about this.”
“I know I do, and I’m hoping you can help me.”
“Me? What can I do?”
“Ask Sophia what she thinks about it.”
If I know anything about Sophia, I know she loves Brenda like a sister. She won’t betray her trust by telling me anything.
“Don’t expect much information, but I’ll try.”
As we each finish another beer, there’s a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Chris says quickly as he jumps off the couch. I know he’s hoping it’s Brenda coming for another booty call.
“Hi, Sophia,” he says. Now it’s my turn to jump out of my chair.
“Hi.” She smiles when I greet her.
I stand there like an ass for a good twenty seconds, just staring at her. She changed out of her scrubs, but her hair is still up off her shoulders, and she’s every bit as sexy as I’ve ever seen her.
Sophia is wearing a pair of navy-blue shorts, a pink tank top, and matching flip flops.
It’s hot as fuck out but suddenly, it just got hotter.
Chris clears his throat and I realize I’ve left her standing in the doorway.
“This is a surprise. Come on in,” I tell her as I wave her inside.
“I thought I’d stop by instead of calling when I got home.”
I smile because this is so much better than just hearing her voice.
We make our way back into our living room. It’s small and cozy, with just a small couch and a recliner.
Chris moves to the chair, giving Sophia and me the couch.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine, thanks.”
“We were just talking about you,” Chris says to her and I shoot him an annoyed look.
Chris wanted to know about Brenda. Now’s my chance to ask.
“Yeah, um, Chris wants to know why Brenda gives him the cold shoulder after sex,” I blurt out.
It makes Sophia giggle and pisses Chris off at the same time. Both were my intention.
Sophia sighs. “First, you know she’s like a sister to me, so I’m not going to share any deep, dark secrets.”
Chris leans forward in his chair. “I just want to know how to handle things with her. I’m not sure if she’s told you anything.”
Sophia smiles. “Oh, I’m very well aware of what’s been happening between the two of you. I guess the only thing I can say is, if you like Brenda, just give her time. She’s trying to figure some stuff out.”
Chris nods and stands. “Thank you. I’m going to go for a walk on the beach and clear my head.” He heads out the back door, leaving us alone.
“So, what did your boss want to talk to you about?”
“Actually, it’s great news…I think.”
“OK, what is it?”
“Leo, one of the best pediatricians in the country is opening a practice here in the Tampa area. Dr. Sykes, that’s his name, needs a nurse to assist him in the opening and then stay on. He actually requested me!” She said everything so quickly, like a little kid telling a story. Her excitement is obvious.
Suddenly, I’m nervous. I think it’s at this moment I realize what I feel for her. The way she is with people has made me fall in love with her. Sophia is a gentle, caring soul. She’s good. Of course this doctor would want her.
“That’s fantastic, Sophia. This doctor is a smart man. When do you start?”
“Well, I’m meeting with him tomorrow for dinner so we can discuss everything.”
Fuck! My jealousy is unexpected. I can’t let Sophia think I don’t trust her. It’s not that.
I grab Sophia’s hand and give it a small squeeze. She smiles at me, making my dick stir.
“I’m so happy for you, if this is what you want,” I say as I lean in for a kiss, and I feel Sophia smile.
She responds to my kiss gently—sweet, just like her.
“I can’t stay long. I ha
ve an early shift in the morning.”
Rubbing her lip with my thumb, I nod. “I’ll take any time I can get with you.”
Sophia
This last week has been crazy. I met with Dr. Sykes three nights ago and took his job offer. I was so excited after the meeting, I stopped by to see Leo, but he wasn’t home. So, I called.
He was out with the team so we didn’t talk long but he congratulated me. To be honest though, it sounded forced.
We’ve texted here and there but I haven’t seen him since Monday night.
Tonight is the season kick-off party at his coach’s house and I told him I’d just meet him there. It was a slow day at work so I was able to leave an hour early.
I take a quick shower, dry my hair, and throw on a cute green maxi dress with matching sandals.
Leo wanted to wait for me so we could go together, but I didn’t want him to miss any of the party. Yesterday, he texted me the address after he relented about me coming alone.
It only takes me ten minutes to get to the party. There must be a lot of people here because the only parking spot I found was a block away.
I make my way down the side of the house and enter the backyard, where the sound of the party is coming from. I was right. It’s crowded.
I search for Leo or Chris, someone familiar. I don’t see Leo, but I do find Chris talking to a group of guys I assume are some of his teammates.
“Hi, Chris,” I say as I walk up to the group.
“Hey, Sophia.” Chris kisses me on the cheek and quickly introduces me to the other guys.
“I think I saw Leo go into the house a few minutes ago. I can go get him for you,” Chris says, but I shake my head.
“Stay with your friends. I’ll go find him.”
I push my way through the crowd blocking the patio sliding door. Once I open it and walk in, I notice a group of women sitting around a table on bar stools.
“Hi,” I say as I approach them. “Have you seen Leo?”
The three blonde bombshells look at each other, then the one who looks a little familiar speaks up.
“I think he’s upstairs in one of the bedrooms with his fiancée,” she says with a wink, and the other women snicker.
I can literally feel the blood drain from face.
Fiancée? Leo has a girlfriend? No not just a girlfriend but a fiancée.
I feel like I could throw up right here.
Glancing around the room, I see the steps to the second floor.
“Thanks,” I choke out as I take one step at a time.
I need to know if it’s true. I can’t just take a stranger’s word for it.
My hands shake as I grip the railing and I have to actually pull myself up the steps. My legs feel like jelly but I need to know for myself.
Once I reach the second-floor landing, I feel the tears well in my eyes.
My head snaps to my left, in the direction I hear Leo’s voice coming from. A lump forms in my throat.
I move to stand by the closed door. A woman is in there with him. I hear her.
“Leo, we should plan the wedding for next October. I love the weather then.”
That’s all I need to hear. I can’t even stand to face him. My heart is ripped to pieces.
I run down the steps and out the back door, bumping into Chris on my way through the crowd.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Didn’t you find Leo?”
I’m shaking so bad, I can barely breathe.
“I fucking found him upstairs with his fiancée,” I yell as I run away.
Chris chases after me, but I don’t stop. I weave around cars until I lose him. It’s not like he couldn’t catch me, but I guess he figured it wasn’t worth it either.
Once inside my car, I fumble to find my keys through my tears. I can’t believe I didn’t know. I can’t believe he lied to me.
This is why I went into the convent. I wanted to avoid this kind of heartbreak.
“Fuck!”
I don’t even know how I make it home. It’s as if I’m on autopilot. It feels like I’m watching a movie of someone else’s life, but I know it’s mine.
The minute I got home, I changed into my sweats, and scrubbed off all the stupid makeup I put on.
Just as I pour myself a shot of tequila, there’s a knock at my door.
“Sophia, open up.”
It’s Leo.
Leo
I can’t fucking believe this. My ex-fiancée, Jackie, showed up at the party. She cornered me upstairs when I went to use the bathroom.
It’s the first time I’ve seen or spoken to her in months. Apparently, Jackie doesn’t understand the concept of broken up—no wedding…I don’t love you anymore.
My phone kept buzzing while I was trying to convince her to move on. When I finally checked it, it was Chris.
The text message sent my stomach to the floor.
Sophia showed up to the party earlier than I thought she would. She somehow found me and Jackie, and is under the wrong assumption I still have a fiancée.
I know I fucked this up by not telling her about Jackie in the first place, but I really just wanted to move on. I knew eventually my past would come up, but not this way.
I drove like a maniac over to Sophia’s place. I need her to know the truth about everything, including how I feel about her.
“Sophia, open up,” I call out as I knock on her door.
I can hear her crying through the door.
“Go away, you fucking liar!” she yells and my heart sinks.
Leaning my forehead against the door, I pour out my heart. “Sophia, please. I didn’t lie to you. Jackie was my fiancée, but we broke up almost a year ago. I don’t know what you heard, but I’m not lying. I don’t love her.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and man up.
“I love you. What I feel for you has made me realize that I never loved Jackie. Please, open the door and let me explain.”
Sophia quiets her crying. Thank God. It seems like minutes but in reality, it’s probably only thirty seconds before I hear the door click open.
When she does, I fucking hate myself. Her eyes are bloodshot and puffy. Her face is flushed, but she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world.
I reach for her, she bats my hand away. “I’m letting you in to explain. Then I want you to leave.”
I don’t want to push my luck with her. I’m just hoping she feels differently when I’m finished.
I follow her into her living room where she whips around to face me. “And don’t tell me you love me ever again. You don’t lie to someone you love.”
Fuck. I don’t know how to make her believe me.
Sophia sits in a chair, leaving me no space to sit next to her.
I do the only thing I can. I kneel in front of her. It’s a subtle message to let her know she’s in control of what happens.
She has her hands clasped in front of her so I can’t hold them. Instead, I rub my sweaty palms on my shorts.
She isn’t even looking at me. “Sophia, please, just give me a few minutes and then if you want me to leave and never see you again, I’ll honor that. But I’m hoping you’ll forgive me for not telling you about Jackie.”
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye. I’ll take it as progress.
“Yes, I was engaged to Jackie. I thought I loved her. We had fun, partied a lot, and got along, for the most part.”
I see a tear roll down Sophia’s cheek and I try like hell to keep my hands from wiping it away.
“I guess it was about a year ago when I realized I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with her. I didn’t trust her. She flirted with all my friends, and I can’t prove it, but I think she cheated on me. Look, I should’ve told you about her, but I never found the right moment to bring it up.”
She slowly looks up at me. “Maybe before you put your mouth on me and made me scream your name would’ve been a good time.”
Sophia
I’m so angry. I’m
not sure if I’m more angry at him for not telling me about Jackie, or myself for acting like such a bitch.
I blow out a big sigh and move out of the chair.
Burying my face in my hands, I apologize. “I’m sorry for yelling at you. I really have no right to expect anything from you, Leo. We’ve only been dating for, what, a few weeks?”
Leo comes up behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
He turns me to face him and holds my face in his hands. I let him, desperate for his connection. I need him to heal my breaking heart.
“I love you, Sophia. I need you to believe me when I tell you what I feel for you is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. I love him too. I knew I loved him the night we had dinner with my parents.
“If you love me, Leo, why didn’t you tell me about Jackie? I wouldn’t have been angry with you. But when I found out from those women at the party, my heart was broken. I was embarrassed.”
“I’m so sorry you had to find out that way. I guess I didn’t tell you right away because I was afraid. I know it’s an excuse but I was afraid to lose you. I mean, look at you, Sophia,” he says as he walks away. “You’re everything that’s right with this world. You’ve lived your life serving others. Me? I’ve slept with women I didn’t care about. I’ve partied so much that sometimes I don’t even remember the night before. So, yeah, maybe I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me. I don’t feel worthy of you as it is. I guess I didn’t want you to see the real me.”
My heart drops. He doesn’t think he’s good enough for me.
I move toward Leo, who’s staring out my kitchen window. I want to be mad at him, I do, but I can’t be.
“Leo?”
Turning to me, he has a look I’ve never seen on his face before. He’s scared. I know it shouldn’t, but it makes my heart swell at the thought that he doesn’t want to lose me.
My hands go to my face, covering my eyes for a second. I realize it’s time for me to stop being a former nun and be the woman I was meant to be.
Putting my misplaced anger aside, I reach for Leo’s cheek. The same feeling I had, that fire brewing in me, is stoked when he places his hand on mine.
A Love Like Nun Other: Book One in the Game Winner Duet Page 10