by Mary Smith
“How about coffee?” I counter. “Dinner seems extremely formal. Coffee is more relaxed.”
Alex nods. “I like coffee.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and hands it to me. “Put your number in.”
I take it from him, add it, and then give it back to him. He pushes on the screen a few times and my phone vibrates in my purse.
“I sent you a text.” He smirks, displaying the dimples again. “I’m free anytime. Drop me a text when you want to meet up.”
“Okay.” I turn on my heels and head toward my apartment.
I’M BACK AT the table with the boys and we’re working on their reading skills. I patiently listen to them as they read and sound out words. They seem to be doing well, but they’re struggling with words they should already know. I feel bad for them. They’ve been at this shelter for almost a month, and I can tell they’re not adjusting well. I know how they feel. Life is confusing enough but to add physical and mental abuse, it only complicates it all the more.
When I finish for the day, I head over to Daddy’s to see if he needs his place cleaned. No, I don’t have to do this, but he gets busy, and I know it helps him. Plus, he’s gone this week for the draft. Thankfully, it doesn’t take me long to clean his condo, and I’m back in my car heading toward the apartment.
Nova is working. Since she’s the cook of the family, I opt for stopping and getting some tacos at my favorite restaurant. I don’t mind doing things by myself. I love hanging with Nova, but our work schedules have been opposite of each other, and it’ll be worse once school starts again. I don’t have many friends because Nova and I kept them at bay so no one would come to our house and meet Sharon. In high school, we had a little circle of friends, but again it was hard to bring people around.
Now, I’m just—alone.
I’m used to being alone, but at times it frightens me. Alone is when Sharon would do her worse. I try hard to keep all the memories away from the forefront. She’s not worth my time. Yes, she gave birth to me, but there’s not much else to add to it. She was never a mother.
The hostess seats me and hands me a menu. I glance over it and suddenly hear a soft chuckle. I turn slightly to see Alexander Eubanks the third and his dimples. He’s smiling with some guy friends.
“Of course,” I mumble and quickly turn away from him.
I had his number, and I should have texted him right away to let him know when I would be free to have coffee with him. But I didn’t. The reason—I have no fucking clue. He seems like a nice guy not a total douche, but then again one can never tell right off.
I thought Hamilton was perfect.
“It’s my lucky day.”
I slightly jump and see Alex sitting across from me.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” His dimples are bright on his face.
“I’d been deep in thought,” I tell him.
“I’ve been wanting to text you, but I assumed since you haven’t contacted me, you thought I was lame.” He sounds a little sad.
“Um…” I’m about to tell him I’m not interested right now in dating or anything, but I stop myself. I’m a single woman and can’t think of a reason why I can’t simply have coffee with him. “I’ve been busy with work. I actually was going to text you tonight when I got home.” Yes, that’s a lie but telling him the truth would have made him run away, more than likely.
“Really?” He seems surprised.
“Yes.” I smile. It feels good to smile.
“Oh wow! I thought I was lame.” He chuckles and I bite down on my lip.
“No, you aren’t, Third. Just a busy week for me.” I glance at his friends. “If you need to go back, I promise to text you later.”
“Okay.” He nods. “Whenever you have time.” He stands up. “I’m glad I saw you and look forward to our coffee date.”
I smile as he walks away. I can do this. I am going to do this. I’m trying to be a brave, confident woman and there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let a man stop me from being me or having fun.
I vow this.
I SIT AT The Latte Bean with my iced coffee in front of me. Alex texted and said he was on his way, but it’s been over twenty minutes. I glance at my cell phone again. I don’t think I’m being stood up because he contacted me.
“Janan.”
I look up to see Dacey Pemberton’s face. I smile. I really like Dacey. After everything went down with Daddy and Sharon, Dacey had seen me on campus a lot and we became friends having coffee from time-to-time. She could talk to me all day. It’s something about the Irish accent that keeps me intrigued.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting on a date.”
Dacey seems confused. “Hamilton is in town?”
“Oh no, we’re not together.” I shake my head.
“Really? What happened?” Her blue eyes grow wide.
“Um…” I’m about to tell her but stop when I see Alex walk in. “How about we do lunch this week?”
She follows my gaze and catches my hint. “Text me.” She smiles and heads away as Alex comes near me.
“I’m so sorry.” He sits down and the waitress comes up and takes his order.
“It’s fine,” I say after she leaves.
“Traffic was a nightmare from Boston.”
“Boston?” Why is he coming from Boston?
“My parents live there. I went down last night and was going to come home, but we were watching the PHL news and it got late,” he explains.
“You like hockey?” I sip my drink.
“Like?” He shakes his head. “Obsessive. Love. Breathe it all. Those might be better terms to express how much the PHL means to me. Why? Are you a fan?”
“Yes.” I nod as the waitress brings his drink.
“Who’s your favorite team?”
“Whichever one my dad’s coaching.” Normally, I don’t blurt out who my father is, but he’s going to find out soon enough. Actually, I’m surprised he doesn’t know. We’d been in the news a lot when Sharon killed herself and the truth of the abuse came out.
“Your dad?”
“My father is Taden Long.”
Alex’s eyes grow wide. I’m not sure if it’s shock from saying my father’s name and him realizing the abuse or…
“Oh my God, you must have great tickets.”
He really loves the game and now has someone new to talk about it with.
“They’re good. My cousin Nova and I sit up in the owner’s box most of the time with Uncle Oliver.”
“Uncle Oliver? You don’t mean Oliver Matthews, the owner, do you?”
“Yes. He and my father go way back. He’s Nova’s and my godfather.”
“Wow.” He chuckles and throws up his hands as if he’s won some grand prize. “This is the greatest day of my life.”
“Don’t get too cocky there, Third. It’s not like I’m Princess Kate or anything.”
He drops his hands. “I don’t mean it like that. Most of my past girlfriends don’t even like sports. Having a girl in front of me who knows even a little bit of hockey changes my view on females.”
I can feel the rage boiling up. “Are you saying females who don’t like sports are beneath you in some manner? Or not smart enough to have your time and attention?”
Alex furrows his brow. “I said nothing of the sort. I actually meant it as a joke—nothing more.”
He seems to be telling the truth and my shoulders relax a bit. “I am not a fan of men treating women differently because we have vaginas.”
“Janan, I didn’t mean that, at all.” His tone and expression seems hurt.
“Look.” I push my hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I’ve been under stress lately. I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by it.”
I change the subject and ask him to tell me about himself. Alex is twenty-four, a recent graduate of Boston University, and works in a management company right now. He tells me he mainly run errands all day long but is hoping to move up in the company and eventual
ly head back to Boston because that’s where his family is. His family consists of his parents, who are happily married for almost thirty years, and one younger sister who is still in high school.
I tell him about my work at the shelter and going to school. I leave out Sharon because who has time to be a Debbie Downer and go into detail about the team. Of course, I’m telling him about Nova, which is why I’m smiling now.
“She’s the best person ever.” We finish our drinks and head out to my car.
“You two seem to be very close.”
“Closer than natural sisters.” I unlock my doors. “I had a good time, Third.”
“Me too. You think next time we can have dinner and you’ll let me buy.”
I shrug. “Maybe. Text me.” I give him a swift hug and leave him standing out on the sidewalk. I had a good time with him, but I can see the dollar signs in his eyes thinking I’m some cash cow that’ll be the hook up for his hockey addiction.
I drive over to the property’s company where I need to pay rent. August is upon us and rent is due. Nova and I have been doing great about keeping our bills low and paying them on time. I’m proud of us.
I walk into the building and up to the front desk clerk. “I’m Janan Long and I need to pay my rent.” I give her the address and she types a few things out.
“Ms. Long, it seems your rent has been paid until the lease ends and then we’ll contact Oliver Matthews.”
I sigh. “Thank you.” I go back out to my car and drive over to Uncle Oliver’s office building.
Peggy his secretary smiles as I approach her desk. “I know that face.”
“Does he have a moment for me?”
“Always.” She stands, and I follow her down the hall to his office. When she opens the door, she announces me.
“My Janan.” He comes around his desk, arms open.
“I’m mad at you and when I tell Nova she will be too.” I still hug him even though I am mad.
“Whatever for?” He pulls away with a shocked expression.
“Don’t play me.” I lightly slap his shoulder and take a seat on his couch. “You paid our rent.”
“And what’s the problem?”
“You also paid our tuition as well.”
Uncle Oliver grins. “My life has been nothing but work and more work. I have no family but you two girls and your father.” His eyes turn sad. “I should have been there for all of you. I feel as if I let you three down.”
I gasp. “Uncle Oliver, you never let us down.”
“I want you girls to have a happy life and not stress over bills. Your childhood was robbed and I’ll be damned if the rest of your life is as miserable.” He holds my hand like he did when I was a child. “Nova and you have the biggest, kindest hearts. Let me do this.”
I sigh. “Only if Nova and I can have full access badges for us and two friends for the fan convention.” I try holding back a giggle because I knew we’d already get the badges soon anyway.
“I think I can make it happen.” He kisses the top of my head.
NOVA AND I ran around the track one more time before we almost collapsed onto the floor. We don’t normally use the Bears workout room, but since it’s the off season a lot of the guys don’t use it.
“Pretty sure my legs are on the verge of falling off.” I pant.
“Can you die from your side hurting?” Nova clutches her ribs.
“This is what I like.”
Nova and I turn to see Alden coming into the gym.
“Two woman on the floor waiting for me.”
We both laugh at him as he helps us both to our feet and gives us each a hug.
“How are you two beautiful women? Either of you ready to date me?”
“No,” we answer in unison.
Alden sniffles. “That hurts.” He covers his heart, and I shove his shoulder.
“Why are you here anyway? I thought you were home in Canada?” I grab a towel for Nova and me.
“I was, but then Hamilton invited me to Alabama to fish and then I decided to come back up here.”
I stiffen at his name but try to not show it.
“It was an interesting time I had with the Captain.” Alden continues. “He seems ill. Almost... I don’t know—lovesick. All he’s done is eat and lift weights. Like he needs to get bigger.”
“Lovesick?” Nova asks.
“Oh yeah, I know a broken heart when I see one.” Alden turns his attention to me. “How’s your summer going?” He perks up an eyebrow.
“I’m not lovesick if you’re asking.” I glare at him because it’s clear he knows about Hamilton and me.
“You know I could be your rebound guy.” He winks.
I laugh. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“Worth a shot.” He shrugs.
We tell Alden we’ll see him soon and head out to the car and I drive us to our apartment. Nova talks about her job. I didn’t think being a hostess could be so much fun, but she loves it. I’m happy for her. In the past several months, she’s really blossomed. Sure, she’s still shy, but not as bad as before. I think moving out and being away from the house of hell has helped us a lot.
After we clean up, Nova makes us dinner. I know better than to touch any pots and pans because I burn toast and can’t even boil water. I grab a bottled water and set the table. Nova brings over the food.
“Girl, how the hell do you whip this shit up so fast?” I dig into the pan.
“I had most of it prepped already.”
“Oh sure, show off.” I jokingly roll my eyes. “Now, it’s time for you to tell me all about Mr. Bryan and don’t even try to dodge the deets.”
“First, why are you talking weird? Second, there are no deets to tell because nothing is happening besides a little bit of flirting and that’s all.”
“Lame.” I sigh.
“Oh and you don’t want to share your deets about Mr. Alex the third.”
“Ha.” I snort. “One coffee date and most of the time he was drooling over the fact who my dad was, doesn’t need for me to waste my breath.”
“Did you really give him a chance? Or did you just compare him to Hamilton the entire time and then blow him off?”
I gasp. “Are you insane? I didn’t compare him to Hamilton.”
She narrows her eyes at me.
“Okay, at first I did but not through coffee.”
“Then why haven’t you called him?”
“Because.” I pause. There’s no real answer for her question. I did have a good time. Yes, he was excited to know about Daddy and the Bears, but he’s not the first person to act that way around me when they find out I’m a Long.
“See you’re still hung up on Hamilton. You two are perfect for each other. I don’t understand.”
“Well, as I’ve said a million and one times before, he doesn’t like the fact I’m so much younger than him.” I sigh and focus on my food.
“Now, you’re lame.”
We eat in silence for a little bit and then clean the kitchen. I spend the rest of the night holed up in my room, trying not to think of Hamilton and how perfect we are for each other.
Chapter Four
Hamilton
IT’S STRANGE AS I walk around my house. Henry calls it a mansion. Yes, it’s large, but it’s my motto—the bigger the better. I make a list of items to get for the fridge and some personal items I left behind in Alabama.
I drive to the store and go up and down each aisle, following my list. I’m picking out some fresh vegetables, when my eye catches someone staring at me. As I look up, her big brown eyes connect with mine. My heart jumps as I think she’s coming closer to me. I’m not sure if she’s going to scream at me or be nice to me. We’ve not spoken in a long time. She simply gives me a small smile and then turns in the other direction.
I need to talk to her, but what do I say? I’ve told her everything already. Twice. I don’t know how to beg anymore. Then the advice Alden gave me pops in my head and gives me an idea.
“Jan.” I quickly move toward her.
“I’m busy,” she says over her shoulder.
“Just one minute.” I touch her arm. “Please.”
She stops and faces me. She’s more beautiful than I remember. “What?”
“How are you?”
“Fine. Now, what do you want?”
“I’m wondering if you could email me a copy of your rally schedule.”
Janan blinks a few times as if I’m speaking a foreign language. “Why?”
“You’re doing something good, helping people, and I want to support the cause.”
“Um…” She looks around. I wonder if she thinks this is a joke. “Sure.”
“Great. It was good to see you.” I turn and leave her standing. It’s not what I want to do, but I force myself to do it.
I PUSH MYSELF harder to bring the bar up. Bench pressing is my least favorite workout, but I do it almost every day. I tend to change my routine around daily as to not overwork my muscles. However, I do one thing every day and that’s run. It could be a mile, could be three. It just depends, but it’s the first thing I do when I hit the gym.
“Good job, Baer,” Cabel says, helping me cradle the bar. “I didn’t think you would make it.”
I grunt a response. Around the gym everyone is working hard. Most of the team is back in town. It’s mid-August, which means training camp will be starting in less than a month. I know we all took Coach Long’s homework assignment to heart. He’s a good man and the one thing he told all of us was we needed to grow from last year. I refuse for us to be in last place again. I don’t like to be at the bottom of anything, especially in the PHL standings.
I go to the next station and work on my legs until they’re burning and I’m too exhausted for more.
“You’re getting old, Captain,” Alden yells from across the room.
“Shut up!” I holler back and grab a towel.
“Let’s go get some food.” Edgar suggests. I like him. He’s a hard worker with a good family. Hell, his wife works like he does.
“Food!”
Of course it’s Alden who cheers loudly and races to the locker room to clean up. The rest of us follow doing the same. When we’re done Cabel, Edgar, Alden, Kyson, Keaton, Remington, Vance, Bas, and I all head to our cars and drive over to the steakhouse.