Page 12

CHAPTER 12

Charlie

Soren

Had a good time last night. Thanks for joining us.

I groan as I climb out of bed, muscles sore and body groggy from spending more time out than I usually do. I move through my morning routine of washing my face, brushing my teeth, making my bed, and heading downstairs for my coffee and breakfast.

My chef, Giovanna, has a plate sitting at my place on the island. It’s hot, like she just finished preparing it, but she’s nowhere in sight. I will never understand how she does it, how she times these meals perfectly even when I’m a few minutes off of my regular schedule.

The omelet and fruit are delicious and my black coffee burns going down in the best way. I pull up my texts from my sister and scroll social media as I eat.

On Instagram, I see Soren posted a few photos from last night and I take time flipping through them. The second to last photo has me freezing, looking at a smiling Mia and Cami staring back at me. They’re bunched up close together, Mia’s arm over Cami’s shoulder, and they look like they’ve been best friends for decades. Cami looks happy, her eyes sparkling, and it makes me happy to see her happy. I like the photo, then lock my phone and finish eating.

The first floor of the penthouse is open concept, so from the island I can see the living room and dining room. The far wall is lined with floor to ceiling windows that let in tons of natural light and are optimal for people watching. Everything is gray and black, which to some might be boring, but I don’t really care. It lacks personality, but I guess so do I sort of. No one else would see this place aside from Alana and Cami if we ever came here, and the occasional girl I might bring back, although that hasn’t happened in a long time.

I place my dishes in the sink and make my way into the gym, where I start my usual every day workout. I’m halfway through the stretches and exercises the physical therapist has me do for my MCL when my phone rings. I answer and put it on speakerphone.

“Hey, Soph.”

“Good game last night.”

I grimace. “You know I don’t like taking compliments.”

“And that’s exactly why I continue to give them.” I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see it. “Just wanted to check in. Find someone to fake date you yet?”

“Right to the point I see.”

“Would you rather me talk your ear off about unimportant things?” she asks as I drop into a side lunge, breath picking up as I move through the exercises. “Are you working out? Seriously?”

“Oh today you decide not to have small talk?”

“You’re lucky I don’t drop you when you sass me like that.”

“You wouldn’t, we’re family.”

“Unfortunately you’re right. So, got an update for me?”

I sigh deeply, realizing that we really are going to do this.

“I have someone in mind, but I haven’t asked her yet.”

“Why not? Who is it?”

I hesitate before I answer her, afraid that once I speak it out loud Cami will jump out from around a corner and laugh at the notion of dating me.

“Uh…my best friend, Cami. She lives here in New York City, works for a fashion magazine. We can trust her.”

“Okay that sounds great. Why haven’t you asked her yet?”

“I don’t really know how to approach the topic…” I trail off.

“You need to just come out and ask her. We don’t have time to wait for you to find the exact right moment. Conversations are starting soon about trades and you’ve been with the Rangers for longer than anyone expected. If this is going to work we need to get moving.”

I sigh deeply, trying to calm my nerves surrounding the whole situation. I really cannot be traded. Just thinking about it causes my breathing to pick up and my heart rate to accelerate. I have had seven really good years with the Rangers and I don’t want to play anywhere else. Whatever I need to do to make that happen, I’m going to do.

“I’ll ask her. This week, I’ll ask her.”

“Good. And how is making friends going?”

“Actually pretty good. I went out with the guys last night after the game.”

“No way?” I hear the surprise in Sophie’s voice. She doesn’t know what exactly went down back in high school, no one does, but she knows it was bad enough to cause me to withdraw. “I’m proud of you.”

She understands why I’m closed off and hearing her pride at my attempt to socialize feels good. I know this is a long time coming, and even if the possible trade is stressful, I’m glad it’s pushing me to try and build relationships.

“Wasn’t groundbreaking, just had a drink with them.”

“Well, still. That’s a big deal when you normally would rather die than go out with a group of guys.” I hear someone ask her a question in the background, meaning she must be in the office on a Saturday. “I gotta go. Let me know when you ask Cami about the dating situation. I’ll get an NDA sent over.”

She hangs up before I can tell her she doesn’t need to have her sign an NDA, she isn’t going to tell anyone. I move back into my workout routine and let it soothe the anxieties within me. I know staying with the Rangers for another contract is a long shot, but I have to try.

I start thinking through how I might approach this topic with her, but just thinking about it stresses me out even more, so I push it out of my mind. I’ll figure it out at some point before Monday. I just want to get it over with.

I’m also only about half way confident that she will accept and actually agree to help me with this. Without having something in it for her, I’m honestly not sure why she would say yes, but I have to try something.