It took everything in me not to clear my throat as I stared at where he stood, his two teammates in the background, and asked, “What’s in there?”
“Check it out.”
I took the bag and opened it. It looked like a shirt or something folded.
“Take it out,” he coaxed.
I peeked at him and pulled out the gift, knowing almost instantly it was an apron. I shook it out and couldn’t help but grin and shake my head. It was yellow, had images of spices on it, and said, “DROPPIN’ A NEW RECIPE ON YOUR ASS.” I looked at Zac and said, “Thank you. I love it. Blue Q aprons are my favorite.”
He winked at me.
This terrific, amazing man. Well, there was only one answer I could give him. So I did. “Okay. You’re right. As long as Trevor is fine with it.”
“He is.”
“Then okay.” I smiled at Zac and mouthed “Thank you” again.
He replied out loud, that lopsided-forever grin still on his face. “You’re welcome, darlin’.”
* * *
It took four hours to pack up my things.
Four hours of the guys asking about a dozen questions over just my cast iron cookware—is it supposed to be this heavy?—and then another thirty minutes with me making them something to eat so I could “clean out” my fridge. It was basically just omelets, cheese, and some leftover veggies I had in the bin, but no one complained. I caught CJ licking his fingertips.
Zac filled my suitcases in a way that was so organized it kind of surprised the shit out of me at how efficient he was. Then again, he’d used a suitcase more than I ever had or more than likely would, so he had the experience. With only one good arm, I was pretty thankful all three of them had helped. The only thing I had really done was pack my nightstand, underwear and bra drawer, tearing up just a little at the fact I was moving out of my apartment. I wasn’t that heartbroken over it, but it was still sad to know I wasn’t going to be staying here any longer. This place had been a haven for me after everything that happened with my ex. But I had the future to look forward to.
Now I just had to get my channel back. I hadn’t been about to cry over that in front of them.
“Everything fit except for your TV,” Zac said as he shut the back of CJ’s Jeep the moment we were done unloading the last of my things at Trevor’s.
“I’ll ask CJ if he wants to get up early and pick it up before practice,” he offered, setting his hands on my shoulders and lightly kneading them as we stood in the driveway of Trevor’s house.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure if I ask my neighbors, they’ll help me carry it down and put it into my car. Then maybe one of you can help me put it in the garage or somewhere.” I had decided I was going to call around first thing tomorrow to donate my couch and bed. The mattress was the same one I’d had from when I’d lived at Mamá Lupe’s, and I could treat myself to a new couch finally when the time came. I wasn’t going to be staying at Trevor’s that long. Just a few weeks, max. Long enough to finish my book and have some time to really think about my future. And regardless of whatever I decided, I’d definitely see Zac play a couple more times. I’d drive. Now if they made it into the playoffs….
In the meantime, I could get out of the house as much as possible, stay in the room when I was home, keep the house clean, maybe cook, and basically not be an inconvenience. I’d be a good houseguest.
And an even better friend.
The hands on my shoulders gave them another squeeze, those light blue eyes solid and steady. “Or CJ and I can get it if you gimme a key.”
“I don’t want to bother you guys any more than I already have.”
He made that face again.
“Don’t you roll your eyes at me, old fart. It’s true. You’ve all already done enough. Way more than you needed to.”
Those big hands went to cup my face, the palms squishing my cheeks together as I stared at him, blinking slowly. “What. Did. I. Already. Say? You’re. Not. A. Bother. You’re never gonna be a bother.”
It was my turn to groan.
He squished my cheeks some more. “Let me, yeah? If he doesn’t wanna help, you can wake up extra early and we’ll ask your neighbor that likes you if he’ll help.”
I squinted at him. “What neighbor?”
He stopped squishing my cheeks, that light blue gaze holding mine. “The one across the hall.”
“You think? Santiago?” I asked. “Huh.”
Zac’s thumbs slipped under the collar of my shirt as he massaged my muscles there. “CJ will help,” he said, changing the subject away from Santiago liking me.
I flashed him a smile and ducked out from beneath his hands when I just about moaned at what he was doing to me. “Okay, but if you can’t, I can handle it. Promise. I have people I can ask.”
“Yeah. Me.”
There went my poor little heart again, all defenseless and raw. So I poked him in the stomach. “Thank you again for doing this.”
“You’re welcome.”
I smiled up at him, and he smiled down at me.
He took my hand. “Come on. I’ve got film to watch, and you’ve got computer stuff to do.”
I snorted. “Computer stuff. How old are you?”
“Too old by the way you talk to me.”
I poked him again, and he tapped the tip of my nose before steering me into the house through the front door. The front door of the home where I was going to be living for a little bit.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I thought about the pretty blonde who had been at his
