Page 11 of Off Sides
“You would assume correctly. Not that I couldn’t talk to Tyler or Jester. But they don’t like Poppy.”
He leans back in his chair, “I have to tell you something that I don’t think you’re going to like. I saw Poppy flirting with another man yesterday when we cut the ribbon for the electronics store, we just opened back up. I didn’t want to say anything. I told her she needed to tell you before someone else did.”
I was afraid of this, “ever since we moved here, she hasn’t been herself or the woman I fell in love with. I hate that. Poppy wasn’t ever self-centered or into money. But it was like the minute we moved here, and she saw the expensive side where women have the name brand clothes or expensive handbags, she wanted that. She used to be fun and would rather roll around in the dirt than care about her looks.”
He nods, “what do you want to do?”
“I have no idea. But I’m not sure I can stay in this relationship. I hate to break up with her, she won’t have anywhere to go.”
He sighs, “she makes good money working for me, she can find an apartment.” Yeah, she probably can. But being that we were high school sweethearts, I’m afraid of what her dad might do.
He gestures to my food, “right now, eat your steak. You can come back to my place if you want a break. I have a big guest room; a pool you can swim in.”
The house is in my name, I’m on the lease, but maybe a break will help me out, “I appreciate it. I have to go home and grab my gear for practice. Are you coming to the game Thursday?”
“I will if you want me to.”
For some reason I do want him to, “If you haven’t figured it out, I don’t have many friends other than the guys on the team.”
“I’m here if you need me. Eat up.”
For some reason, this helped. And now I have a place to stay to get more clarity.
17
Chapter 17
Raine
Iwant to slap myself. I just offered my guest room to the guy I want to fuck. What the hell am I thinking?
But he needs some place to go until he can figure things out. And if he needs something, I will provide that.
We finish eating and he heads to his house to grab his gear while I make a few calls. One to my front desk to have him added to my floor. Another is to the coach and owner about pushing practice back. I have some pull since I have a stake in this team, but more so I think Dasher needs some time to sleep in.
By the time I get home, Dasher is standing outside my door, “the doorman told me how to get up here. You live in the penthouse.”
It’s not a question, it’s a statement.
“I do. I have a great view of the valley. I’ll show you around. You don’t need a key, just the code. I’ll give that to you before you leave for practice.”
I point out the guest room and it’s amenities like heated bathroom floors and rainfall shower. The small gym I have and the theater room in the corner, “the pool is this way.”
We walk past my room and down the hall to a glass, frosted door. I push it open, and his eyes widen. It’s not an Olympic size pool but it’s still pretty large. Big enough to get all my laps in.
“I’m going to settle in for the night, you can explore or swim. Breakfast will be ready for you in the morning.”
With that I head to my room, not just to sleep. But because I can’t be in the same room with him for so long. My dick is so hard, I didn’t want to embarrass myself or make him uncomfortable. Once my door is shut, I unzip my pants and stroke myself, needing that release. I need to get my shit together around him.
18
Chapter 18
Dasher
I’m not sure what to do with myself. When I got home, Poppy was watching TV. She smiled at me and then backed away. I’m guessing it was the look on my face.
The only thing I said to her was that I saw the picture and I was staying somewhere else to think. She didn’t beg me or follow me. My guess is she didn’t do that because she knew I wouldn’t listen to her. She was standing in the same place when I walked back out.