Lead Player: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Alex Grayson

  I feel like an ass because other than Allison and me, she has no one else to depend on in Park Crest. Both of her parents are dead, and her older brother lives five hours away. It wouldn’t hurt me to take a look. I mean, how long can it take to fix a leaky pipe?

  “Give me about twenty minutes, and I’ll be over.” I stride toward to my car.

  “Are you sure?” she asks, sounding relieved. “I don’t want to mess up your plans.”

  “Yeah,” I grunt. The lights on my car flash when I unlock the doors. “It’s no big deal if I’m a bit late.”

  Or at least I hope it’s not. I never told Alaina what time I’d be back because I didn’t know myself. I just hope like fuck she hasn’t changed her mind about us.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Enzo!” Heidi gushes. “Thank you!”

  “No problem. See you in a bit.”

  I hang up with Heidi and pull Alaina’s number up as I slide inside my car. While she was grabbing Nikki’s book earlier, I spied her phone on the counter and put my number in it before I called myself, so I’d have her number. Even though she said she’d give it to me before I left, something told me she had no plans to follow through with it, so I took it upon myself.

  “Enzo?” she answers with a hesitant voice.

  “Hey.”

  “How did you get my number?”

  “I put mine in your phone while you were grabbing Nikki’s book then called myself.”

  “Oh.”

  I start my car but leave it in park. “Listen, I have to make a pit stop to help a friend before I head over. I wanted to let you know so you didn’t think I was standing you up.”

  “Okay.”

  Is that disappointment I hear?

  “As soon as I’m done, I’ll give you a call. It shouldn’t be too long.”

  “Maybe we should do this another day. I mean, we both have to get up early tomorrow for the wedding.”

  “No!” I wince when my words come out as almost a shout. I lower my voice. “I’d really like to see you tonight.”

  “Yeah, uh huh.” I can hear the smile on her face. “You just want in my panties again.”

  “Well, there is that,” I drawl with a chuckle. “But I’d really like to see all of you, not just your delectable naked body.”

  “Hmm… just be quick. We have an early morning, and I’d prefer not to rush when I finally get my hands on you again.”

  “Thanks. Now I’ll be sporting wood until I get there.”

  “You’re welcome,” she chirps. “I’ll be waiting. With or without clothes on.”

  She hangs up before I can respond. I groan as a mental picture forms in my head of her reclining back in bed, her arms thrown over her head, sensually stretching her body out to torment me.

  I can’t fucking wait to make that a reality.

  I rap my knuckles against the door and shift on my feet as I wait for Heidi to answer. A moment later, it opens and she appears.

  “Thank you so much for coming over on such short notice,” Heidi says in a rush, stepping back to let me enter.

  I’m a guy, so the first thing I notice is the white t-shirt she’s wearing. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be worth mentioning. But the shirt is soaked, making the material almost translucent. Her dark-colored bra is very visible.

  I avert my eyes and clear my throat as I walk through the door. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Heidi is a very beautiful woman, and I’m sure most guys would drop to their knees to have a sample at what she could offer. But I’ve never been one of them. She’s my baby sister’s best friend—has been for years—so I’ve always viewed her as a sister as well.

  “I’m sure you’d much rather be doing whatever you had planned instead of stopping by here. I’m sorry I pulled you away.”

  “It shouldn’t take long to fix whatever the problem is. I’ve already called my date and told her I’ll be late.” I look toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you go change while I check out what’s going on?” I suggest, dipping my chin to her shirt, but keeping my eyes on hers.

  Pink tinges her cheeks and she pulls the material away from her chest. “Oh crap! I am so sorry!” She crosses her arms in front of her. “I meant to change before you got here, but I’ve been trying to mop up the water before it leaks to the apartment below me. I’ll be right back.”

  While she hurries off, I go to the kitchen. There’s a mop and bucket on the floor, along with a few towels. The doors on the cabinet under the sink are open and there’s a big bowl underneath catching the steady drip from the pipes.

  Using my foot, I swipe the area in front of the sink with one of the semi-dry towels. Quickly checking out the pipes, I hop up and grab a few tools from her closet before getting to work.

  I’m on my back, checking one of the fittings when I hear Heidi come into the room.

  “What’s the verdict?” she asks, stopping so close I can see her legs in my peripheral vision.

  “A fitting was loose. It sometimes happens over the years.” I grunt as I tighten the joint with a wrench.

  “Ugh! Thank goodness it wasn’t something more serious.”

  Once I’m confident it’s fixed, I roll over and pull my head out from under the sink, kneeling down in front of the cabinet. “Turn the faucet on and let’s see how it does.”

  When she turns the water on, not a single drop drips. Meaning I’m done and can be on my way, I grab the few tools I used and get up.

  “Thank you! You are my hero, Enzo!” Heidi gushes.

  I turn just as she launches herself at me, throwing her arms around my shoulders. All I can do is stand there for several seconds before I awkwardly pat her back.

  “It was no big deal. It only took a few minutes to figure it out.”

  She pulls back and smiles up at me. “And as a thank you, let me grab you a beer before you leave.”

  She lets me go and moves to the fridge. Before she can pull it open, I stop her.

  “I can’t. I really need to get going.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Her expression falls and she begins nibbling on her lip.

  “Why don’t you call Allison? I’m actually surprised she’s not here. Aren’t you two normally joined at the hip?”

  My play at joking obviously doesn’t hit the mark. Instead of the smile I was expecting, her expression turns to worry. She spins away and grabs the mob and bucket.

  “I would actually prefer her to not come over tonight,” she says quietly, putting the items in the closet.

  Turning to the sink, I wash my hands and ask over my shoulder, “Why? Is everything okay between you two?”

  “Yeah. Tonight’s just not a good night for her to come over.”

  I dry my hands on the towel hanging from the stove handle and face her.

  “What’s going on, Heidi?”

  Closing the closet door, she leans against it. Again, she bites down on her bottom lip, her eyes darting away from mine.

  “I don’t know if Allison told you or not, but I started seeing this guy awhile back. Donnie.” Allison doesn’t keep me updated on Heidi’s life because it’s not my business to know, but to keep her talking, I nod. “I broke up with him about a week ago, and his reaction kinda scared me.”

  “Scared you how?” I growl, my hands balling into fists at my side. “Did he hurt you?”

  She shakes her head. “No. But he got angry. Said some pretty scary things to me. Anyway, he called tonight, wanting to come over. When I told him no, he got angry again.”

  “Has he threatened you?”

  “Not exactly. Just said some nasty things.”

  “You need to get a restraining order on him, Heidi.”

  She nods and drops her chin to her chest. I walk over and tip her head back up.

  “I’m serious. If he’s scaring you, you need to show him you’re not going to put up with it. You still carry mace?”

  “Yeah.”

  I drop my hand and stuff both in my pockets. “Anytime you go out, make sure it’s
easily accessible. I’m sure this guy is probably just trying to scare you, but it’s better to be safe.”

  “I will.” She licks her lips and her throat bobs when she swallows. “I uh…. Thank you for fixing my sink. And I’ll go to the police station tomorrow about the restraining order.” She shifts on her feet and offers a smile. I know Heidi well enough to know it’s fake and that she’s still worried.

  Biting back a curse, I release a sigh instead. There’s no way in hell I can leave her like this. Not when she’s worried her ex might stop by. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her.

  “How about I hang out here for the night, just in case. Then you go get that restraining order like planned tomorrow?”

  “What about your date? I can’t let you cancel it,” she says, but I notice the hopeful look in her expression.

  I shrug. “It wasn’t really a date. We were just going to hang out at her place, and we can do that some other time. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  “Are you sure? I really hate asking this of you.”

  I force a smile. “You didn’t ask. I suggested. And yes, I’m sure.”

  Her shoulders sag with relief. “Looks like you’re my double hero tonight. Thank you, Enzo.”

  “Just swear to me that tomorrow morning you’ll get that restraining order,” I say sternly.

  “Cross my heart and hope to die.” She makes a cross over her heart.

  I laugh and shake my head. “Let’s leave the dying part out, got it?”

  “Got it.” She leans up and kisses my cheek. “Seriously though. I really appreciate you doing this.”

  “It’s no problem.”

  “I’ll go put some fresh sheets on the bed in the spare room. Then I’ll make us some dinner. Be right back.”

  I drop my head after she leaves. Fucking hell. This is not how I wanted or expected to spend my night. Disappointment settles in my stomach knowing I won’t be seeing Alaina.

  After my mental pity party, I pull my phone from my pocket and bring up Alaina’s number. She answers on the third ring.

  “Please tell me you’re almost here,” she purrs into the speaker. Her tantalizing voice has my dick twitching.

  “Unfortunately not, and it looks like I have to ask for a rain check.”

  “Are you serious?” Displeasure replaces the sensual tone of before. “Why?”

  “Something’s come up. A friend needs my help.”

  “And is this friend female?”

  My lips twitch at the blatant jealousy in her tone. “As a matter of fact, it is,” I admit. Before she can blast me with her sharp tongue, I add, “But it’s not what I know you’re thinking. It’s my kid sister’s friend. She’s having trouble with a guy.”

  She doesn’t say anything for several seconds.

  “Alaina?”

  “I’m here,” she says softly. “I’m just disappointed.”

  “I know. Me too.”

  “Is it safe for you to be there? What happens if this guy shows up? Shouldn’t you call the police if he’s causing problems?”

  I rub the back of my neck and look down at my shoes. “She says he hasn’t threatened her, which means the cops won’t do anything. But she’s still a little freaked out. I just want to make sure nothing happens. I’ve known this girl since she was a kid. I can’t leave her here by herself. She’s going tomorrow to get a restraining order.”

  “Fine. Yeah. Okay.” I can just imagine the pout on her face.

  “I’ll make it up to you,” I promise.

  “That’s two things you owe me.”

  I smile at hearing her tone perk up. “And I can guarantee it’ll be worth the wait.”

  “It better be,” she mutters, making me chuckle. “But since you won’t be here, and you left me with the female equivalent of blue balls, it looks like I’ll be taking care of myself.”

  “You’re really wanting me to suffer tonight, huh?” I groan as I adjust my dick.

  “Actually, I’d prefer you not to be hard while you’re at some woman’s house. How old is she anyway?”

  “Same age as my sister. Twenty-five. But believe me, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m like a big brother to her.”

  She snorts. “You may think that, but I can almost guarantee you she doesn’t. I know you’ve seen yourself in the mirror.”

  I laugh. “I really like this jealousy side you’re showing.”

  “Well, I don’t,” she grumbles. “I don’t like the way it makes me feel.”

  “Hey.” I keep my voice soft. “There’s seriously nothing to worry about. Even if by some chance Heidi did like me that way, nothing would come of it. One thing I’ve never been, and will never be, is a cheater.”

  “Heidi,” she says bitterly. “I really hate that name.” She blows out a breath. “Okay. I’m going to trust you, but I swear, Enzo—”

  I cut her off before she can finish. “It won’t happen.”

  She’s quiet for a moment before she mutters, “Yeah.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you then.”

  I smile as I hang up the phone and stuff it in my back pocket, feeling better than I did before calling Alaina. The smile slips when Heidi walks out of the spare room and comes toward me.

  “Spare room’s ready. How about I make us dinner?”

  “Sure. Sounds good.” I force the smile back on my face. “I can help.”

  She shoos me away and points to one of the stools on the other side of the bar. “Sit. I’ve got this. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me.”

  Not in the mood to argue, I take a seat. After a moment, I start a new text thread on my phone.

  Me: Dream of me tonight.

  Not even a minute later, I get a reply.

  Alaina: Only if you do the same.

  A grin tugs up my lips.

  Me: I have been since our one night together.

  Alaina: Smooth talker. I like it. ;)

  “So, what’ll it be? BLTs or omelets?” Heidi asks, pulling my attention to her, and I close the text thread.

  “No preference. Whatever you want is fine.”

  She smiles and turns back to the fridge. “BLTs it is.”

  Chapter Nine

  ALAINA

  They say everyone cries at weddings. Everyone might not, but I’m damn sure on the verge of shedding some tears.

  I stare, transfixed, as my best friend Juliet, on the arm of her father, walks down the aisle. The smile on her face alone has my heart melting into a puddle of goo. The fitted bodice of her white ball gown style dress is adorned with white beaded rhinestones, and the white full skirt has a tulle overlay. Her hair is loosely swept up off her shoulders with a few wisps falling around her cheeks and neck. She looks like a fairy princess.

  Juliet deserves all the happiness in the world, and I’m ecstatic she’s found it. Her and James’ relationship may have been a whirlwind, but anyone who looks at them can see that the love they have for each other is real and lasting.

  My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and I have to constantly blink to keep the tears at bay when Juliet stops in front of her soon-to-be-husband. A sissy boy is the very last thing I would call James, but I swear his eyes might be glassy. I’ve never met a man who loved a woman as hard as he does Juliet.

  Inadvertently, my eyes move to Enzo. As always when I look at him, I get ensnared. If I thought the man looked good in jeans and a tee-shirt, he’s absolutely killer on the senses in a suit. Black pants, black dress shirt with a lavender bowtie, and a black jacket. His hair is styled, but it still gives off that sexy, messy look. He’s totally yummy. Something that’s inconvenient at the moment because it would look strange if I were to rub my thighs together.

  As the maid of honor, my day has been filled with everything Juliet, so Enzo and I haven’t gotten the chance to talk. I haven’t seen much of him today either. During the processional, as I was walking down the aisle, I couldn’t stop myself
from peeking at him. Every time I did, I found his eyes on me. Even now, as the officiant offers an introduction and gives his thoughts on marriage, we both look at each other. The heat in his eyes and the way it makes me feel has my body flushing from head to toe.

  Before I embarrass myself and pull the attention away from the bride and groom, I direct my eyes to Juliet and watch as she promises herself to James. A twinge of envy hits me when they recite their vows. One of the many aspirations I’ve had for years is to find a good man who loves me unconditionally, get married, and start a family. I thought I’d found that with Terry. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. That became abundantly clear when I walked in on him getting plowed from behind by his best friend, and the fact that I wasn’t really torn up about it. I mean, of course, it hurt—I gave three years of my life to a man I thought I would be with forever—but after the initial shock wore off, I’d realized he and I had already been drifting apart.

  Despite catching him in the act of cheating on me—with another man, no less—Terry really was a good guy. He was handsome, funny, caring, and the sex was pretty great. Growing up, he had a lot of issues with his dad, which led to him hiding his true sexual preference. A couple of weeks after the incident, we met for lunch. He apologized profusely, and I truly believe he never meant to hurt me. He explained that he had been in love with his best friend for years, but he tried ignoring it because he knew his dad would never accept it.

  I left lunch, not angry with Terry, but feeling sorry for him. How hard it must have been to hide part of himself that was so monumental. Yes, he should have sucked it up and stood up to his dad, but I’ve met the man. He was a judgmental prick.

  I’m pulled back to the moment when the officiant announces James and Juliet as husband and wife. I dab a tissue I had tucked in the small bouquet I’m carrying under my eye when James swoops down and plants a scorching kiss against his new wife’s lips. Everyone cheers and claps, happy for the newly married couple.

  I glance back at Enzo, and I’m mesmerized once again at the proud grin on his face. I don’t know how I missed it before, but he has a small dimple on his left cheek. Unbidden, an image of me licking that dimple flashes through my mind.