Page 10

Chapter 9

Lily

T onight is the last night before Tyler begins the new season. Yes, he’s been ramping up over the past two weeks in preparation for it, but there’s almost a buzz of excitement in the house. I get it, I do. Dean was this way, too, as I imagine most of the players are, but this is somehow different.

Dean always wanted the night to himself. Some years he’d spend it with me, but most of them, he just wanted a night alone. I understood it at the time, as there’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but as Tyler and I park in front of his friend Jonah’s house, I’m not so sure. Dean had football friends. He kept most at arm’s length, treated them like super familiar acquaintances, and he didn’t really bond with very many. Sure, he was nice to everyone, had to keep that persona of the golden boy, but being with Tyler and hearing about how he is with his teammates, they seem more like a family than coworkers.

Jonah and his girlfriend, Sophie, are hosting a cookout. He’s promised me that only a small handful of the players are going to be here, and that no one will do or say anything to make me feel uncomfortable. I figured I had two options: go meet people, considering I’ve now been in hiding for over two and a half months, or continue to let my past relationship with Dean rule my life.

I chose the former.

I’ve tried to think about how to reenter the world. It won’t be long before I’m spotted, and the world knows exactly where I am, but this is my opportunity to write my own narrative. Who I am now. Where I’m living. Who my friends are. How I’m managing life without the great Dean Davis, cue the eye roll, et cetera. I’ve done a lot of research on Tampa since I’ve been here, and based on what Tyler showed me the other day on the boat as we drove all around downtown, I love what I’ve seen. My plan is starting to form and this city is as good as any to start over. It’s large enough, but also small enough. It has character and charm, a great food scene from what Tyler tells me, and it’s so close to the beach. Also, I know that should something happen, I will have Tyler nearby if I need him, whereas in other cities I’ll have no one.

“Are you ready?” he asks, one arm slung over his steering wheel as he’s pivoted a little to face me. His dark eyes are assessing, and even though he doesn’t realize it, butterflies swarm in my stomach at his attention and nearness.

“I am,” I tell him.

Like most fans, I’ve followed the Tarpons for years, but since I’ve been staying with Tyler, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of some of his teammates and his friends that he frequently talks about. I’ve looked at their social media pages, stats, and foundations for those who have them.

Everyone in the industry heard about the passing of Jonah’s brother and sister-in-law. The coverage was played repeatedly on news outlets and the whole world mourned, as he became a single guardian. It was tragic, sad, and even Dean contributed to a college fund for his niece, Vivi, but never in a million years did I think I would be coming over to his house. A house in which he shares with his girlfriend and Vivi.

Other players that he said would be here tonight are Bryan with his wife, Lexi, who I've met before. Reid, along with his wife, Camille, and their new baby. Titan, another tight end for the team, and Chase Sullivan. Chase is a defensive tackle who lives just down the road, and although he’s part of the defensive team, he spends a lot of time with them.

Together, Tyler and I walk up the sidewalk to the house. I made a large shrimp ceviche and Tyler is carrying the largest package of steaks I’ve ever seen.

“Are you ready?” I stop and ask him just before we reach the door.

“What do you mean?” he asks, as he turns to look at me.

“While I don’t get the impression that you usually bring people around, although you might?—"

“I don’t,” he says, cutting me off, his gaze scanning over the features of my face.

“I just don’t want this to be awkward for you.”

He gives me a lopsided smile. “It won’t be. While I’m certain we’ll be asked questions and stared at like we’re a zoo exhibit, they mean well. I can take it. Can you?”

“Yes. I guess I just got worried about you. You’re so private about things.”

“Lil, I’m not hiding you. You’re welcome to go anywhere with me, and I’m fine. I promise.”

“Okay, just checking.”

He stares a me for a beat longer and then nods once before making his way up the front steps.

“Honey, I’m home!” Tyler shouts, as he swings the door open into one of the most beautiful homes and it’s quickly followed by a dog barking.

“Uncle Tyler! Come and see what I taught Molly to do,” says a small voice, which I’m assuming is Jonah’s niece, Vivi.

It’s then I register that she called him uncle. My heart pinches at how much love he must have shown her, them, in order for her to call him that. I don’t even think Lance’s kids call him uncle, but then again I’m not around them enough at the same time to know.

Tyler closes the door and answers by saying, “Okay, but only if you come and greet my friend first.”

With this one line, it’s like a record scratching for all of the adults that are standing in and near the kitchen, as everything went silent, and all eyes shoot to us. Vivi and the dog too. Tyler’s hand falls to my back and I’m certain that it’s noticed. It doesn’t mean anything, but I feel the heat burning through my dress.

“I thought you said only a handful of people,” I whisper to him, feeling a blush climb up my chest and over my face. I’m used to being the center of attention, but this feels completely different.

“It is. Maybe five of the guys or so and then whomever they brought. Plus Vivi, can’t forget her.”

“Yeah, I guess it just feels like so much more.”

Turning to look at me, Tyler lowers his voice as he says, “If at any point you want to leave, we will. But I promise you, they’re good people and you have nothing to worry about here.”

I nod my head, and his fingers curl in and out on my back in a soothing way. I had asked him what I should wear, and he told me something comfortable and summer. I opted for a light turquoise sundress and wedged sandals. Tyler, on the other hand, is wearing a white collared shirt, like a golf polo that fits tight across his chest and his arms, navy-blue joggers, and another pair of white sneakers. It’s like he has an addiction to very clean shoes. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just noticeable that he cares about his appearance, and I don’t hate it. Dean was more of a jeans guy, and well, the drawstring pants that Tyler wears, they do it for me.

“Come on in,” a blond woman says, as she wipes her hands on a towel and then heads our way with the biggest smile on her face. “You must be Lily. Lord, you have the most gorgeous hair,” she says, as she wraps me in a hug and then smiles up at Tyler with a familiarity that has me longing for this too. None of the wives or girlfriends who surrounded me at the Destroyers ever looked at me like she’s looking at him. He is loved here.

“Thank you. Although, some days, I wish it was brown and I was like most everyone else.”

“No way. In the words of Dr. Seuss, ‘Why blend in when obviously you were born to stand out.’ I’m Sophie, Jonah’s girlfriend, and I’m so glad you both decided to come over tonight.” She rubs Tyler’s arm.

“Are you kidding? If Jonah is grilling, then you know I’m there,” Tyler says, smirking over her shoulder at his friend.

Next to Tyler, Vivi scooches in, and he picks her up. “Squirt, this is my friend Ms. Lily. Can you say hello?”

A few more of Tyler’s friends have made their way over, too.

She stares at me like I’m a unique specimen, but I ignore it and smile brightly at her. She’s covered in head-to-toe pink, her hair is in a low ponytail, and she’s just the cutest. “Hi there. I’ve heard a lot about you,” I tell her. Shifting the food under one arm, I hold my other hand up to cover half my mouth so I can whisper to her. “Uncle Jonah tells me you’re better than him at fishing.”

She lets out a small giggle. “Well, he’s not that good at it,” she says bluntly.

Everyone within hearing distance laughs.

Vivi’s eyes grow large. “It’s true,” she declares.

“Oh, we believe you. We’ve seen how sad it is to watch Uncle Tyler attempt to fish,” says a very large guy walking our way. “Hi, I’m Chase Sullivan, but these guys all call me Sully.”

He holds out his hand for me to shake, and I do. Where I thought Tyler’s hands were big, this guy’s are massive.

“Lily. It’s nice to meet you.”

“So, Lily, why don’t you come on into the kitchen and tell us all about yourself? Seeing as someone ( cough, cough , Tyler) didn’t tell us anything about you at all, and you’re a complete surprise tonight.”

A few of the other guys chuckle.

“I knew about her,” Jonah says.

“Of course you did. You two share menstrual cycles as well,” Sully says.

“What’s a menstrual cycle?” Vivi asks.

Everyone freezes, and all the guys groan as Tyler sets her down, and each moves to other parts of the house. Jonah, Reid, and Sully head outside with Tyler’s steaks, and Tyler and Titan go to the living room so Vivi can show Tyler Molly’s new trick.

Sophie laughs. “Come on into the kitchen. I’ll show you around, and then you can help yourself going forward.” She hooks her elbow with mine to lead the way, but as we’re walking off, I hear the guy who is Titan, I know this because again, I looked him up, ask Tyler, “Is she who I think she is?”

Tyler replies, “Yep, and if you mention him, I’ll rearrange your face.”

I can’t help the small smile that brings and pinch my lips together. I lose the rest of the conversation as we enter the kitchen. I set down my bowl and meet everyone else. Lexi and I reacquaint ourselves, and Camille welcomes me with genuine smiles and nonjudgemental eyes. Instantly, I know the three of them are nothing like the women from the Destroyers.

“She’s so tiny,” I tell Camille as she has her newborn baby strapped to her chest.

“She’s the sweetest too,” she says as she bends down to brush a kiss against the top of her head. Camille looks tired, but she looks beautiful too.

All of them are in summer casual clothes, their nails are done, but modestly, they aren’t decked out in jewelry with blowouts, and well, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was at a cookout for normal people, not couples who are loaded with millions.

“You know, I heard some chatter that you and Dean had split,” Lexi says. “Are we happy about this or not?” she asks as she pours what looks like a glass of sangria and hands it to me.

I should be surprised that she asked, but I’m not. People knew we were together, especially other quarterbacks and their significant others, and secretly I’m glad that she’s asking. I know they’re all thinking it and wondering, so may as well get it out of the way.

“Happy. Dean and I met when we were young, and I guess the best way to explain it is as we’ve grown, our relationship didn’t. I’m not sad it’s over. I think I’m mostly sad that I gave it so much time. We should have ended years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” Lexi says. “For what it’s worth, I think you can do better than Dean Davis.”

I blink at her words, as here’s another person who shares Tyler’s opinions toward Dean. I don’t know if I should be embarrassed that I stayed so long, because what does that say about me, or not, because I just don’t care anymore.

“That seems to be the sentiment across the board. Just wishing I had listened to that sooner. I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but you never know.” I chuckle, picking up the drink and taking a sip.

“What does he think about you being here with a different team?” Camille asks, while she sways from side to side like moms do.

“He doesn’t know. Not that I care what he thinks. No one knows, but now you all.”

“No one but us?” Camille asks, but her face says she understands perfectly. She’s spent plenty of time in the spotlight, given who her family is, and sometimes it’s just nice to disappear.

“Well, my best friend and my family, too. I just needed some time, and I took it.” I take another sip of the drink, it’s delicious.

“So you came to Tampa?” Lexi asks.

I don’t blame them for their curiosity. I would be the same way. I’m someone they know through the media, someone who’s been living in DC for years, and now suddenly, I’m standing in Sophie’s kitchen.

“Yes. I stopped in North Carolina for a while but eventually made my way here.”

“I guess I’ll be the one to ask the most pressing question. How do you know Tyler? He’s pretty social within our group, but outside of it, I didn’t realize he had any friends,” Lexi claims.

“That’s not fair. I’m sure he has other friends,” says Sophie, who scoops a spoonful of the ceviche out onto a plate.

“Really? Have you ever met them? He’s certainly never brought a date over,” Lexi reveals.

Does Tyler date? We haven’t discussed it. It seems like an inappropriate conversation for us to have and none of my business.

“Oh, I’m not his date tonight. We’re just friends.”

“You’re just friends?”She raises her brows, as all three of them stare at me, and my cheeks flush red with heat. Of course this was going to be asked too.

“Oh, I want to hear this,” Titan says from behind me as he and Tyler, plus Vivi, wander into the kitchen and join us at the island. Vivi moves next to Sophie, where she eyes the plate, and Sophie hands it to her with a fork. She scampers back to the living room with Molly following.

“You should probably just wait until Sully is in here too, or you’ll just have to repeat yourself,” Tyler grumbles.

“That’s a good point,” Titan says as he wanders out into the backyard to round up the others.

Heat prickles down my spine as I’m about to be put on the spot in front of everyone. I hate this. I really do. But Tyler asked me to come, and he’s been so gracious and patient with me. I can do this for him.

“It really is a boring story, and you’re all going to be disappointed,” I tell them as I take another sip and hear country music quietly playing throughout the house sound system.

“I doubt that,” Sully claims, giving Tyler a look that says he thinks he’s up to no good, but he doesn’t notice as he’s just looking at me. I know this conversation is going to make him uncomfortable too, and my stomach aches a little at the thought of somehow saying something that might upset him.

Without breaking eye contact, I tell them, “Tyler is my brother’s best friend.”

Tyler smiles at the mention of Lance. He can’t help it. It’s like one of those buzzwords that no matter what you’re doing or where you are, when you hear it, instant serotonin release.

“Wait,” Bryan says. “The guy from college?”

“Yep,” Tyler says, popping his lips and then dragging his gaze from mine to look at his friends.

“Lance,” Jonah calls out. It’s weird to hear someone else talk about my brother. “We met him a few years ago when he was down visiting.”

“You did. That was one of his trips. He’s been here several times.” Tyler runs his hand over the back of his neck, then drops it to his side.

“And you’re his sister?” Sully asks again, almost like this is not lining up, and I nod. “The same person who is dating Dean Davis?”

Reid lets out a deep sigh, and Tyler smacks him in the stomach with the back of his hand.

“What? Is that a bad thing to ask?” He looks around at each person, hoping for some sort of backup.

“Dean and I …” I shake my head.

“Oh. Sorry, then,” he says as if realizing he’d made an assumption and shouldn’t have.

“Don’t be. It was over a long time ago, and I’m good.” I take another sip of the sangria and do my best to look nonplussed.

Everyone stares at me for a moment, and then Bryan waves his hand back and forth between Tyler and me and asks, “So are y’all together now?”

I can’t help the laugh that sneaks out, and all eyes fall back to me. The longer I stay with Tyler, the more people will think this exact thing. In all the years I’ve known Tyler, he’s never once made a pass at me or led me to believe that he might be interested in a different way.

“It’s not like that. She’s just staying with me for a bit while she checks out the area and decides whether she wants to move to Tampa,” he says.

“She’s staying in your house?” This comes from Titan, and Tyler gives him a flat look. “I mean, it’s a legit question to ask. You never let anyone stay with you.”

“Yes, she’s staying with me. We’ve known each other for a long time. It’s fine.”

I’ve wondered once or twice before how he might really feel about me crashing at his place, and now I’m thinking I haven’t considered it enough. Every one of them is shocked to hear that I’m staying with Tyler. I feel bad and slightly drop my head to look at my glass. Tyler’s hand sweeps across my lower back again, and I find him looking at me.

“Hey. You know I don’t mind that you’re staying there. They’re just a bunch of nosy assholes who aren’t used to boundaries.”

“Hell yeah, we’re nosy. If you’re the sister, you’ve known Tyler for a long time. We need some dirt on him. He’s too clean.” Sully grins, and so do Tyler’s teammates.

Tyler scoffs.

“Spilling secrets breaks the code,” I tell them, grinning back.

“And what code is that?” Sully asks.

“The roommate code, of course.”

I glance at Tyler, and one side of his mouth tips up. His jawline is smooth from shaving, but his dark eyes, dark brows, and dark hair are severe against his skin. I hate how handsome he is. Does he even know how good looking he is? He has to, right?

“And see that, right there, you using the word roommate in the same sentence as Tyler is enough to leave all of us wanting more. I can’t wait to drop this in the chat.”

Tyler’s gaze cuts from me to him. “Can you just not? Obviously, this isn’t just some random person I’m with. There’s going to be backlash, you know it, so be sensitive,” Tyler chastises.

“Fine. I can do sensitive. But you know it won’t be long before everyone else realizes she’s here.” Sully glances at me, and I can see the sympathy, or better yet pity, already setting in.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we’re ready, not when you decide to oust her to the team.”

“Fair enough, but in the meantime, there’s got to be something you can tell us.” He wags his brows at me.

“How long have you known each other?” Titan throws out.

That question seems easy enough. “I was seventeen when we first met, so a long time.”

Sully whistles, and Tyler lets out a deep sigh.

“You definitely have some dirt on him.” Bryan grins.

“Really?” Tyler throws at him.

“I think we should just leave them alone,” Jonah says, eyeing his friend like he knows more than he’s been told. Or maybe he has been told. Those two are pretty tight.

“Nope,” Sully declares. “Spill it.”

“Fine,” I drag out as if I’m being put out.

Tyler shifts to look at me. His brows pull down because I’m about to tell them something, and I know he doesn’t like it. But these are his friends, and I would never tell them anything I thought he would find inappropriate.

“I was a freshman at Miami when he was a senior. I had just started, and I was a broke college girl, when one day, he wandered by me, staring at the Chinese food truck that sat outside one of the liberal arts halls. Being the nice guy that he is, he stopped and asked me what I wanted. They had these two-dollar eggrolls that were so big and delicious wrapped in foil, and I told him I wanted one of those. He met me in front of that food truck every Monday and Wednesday that semester and bought me lunch.”

“I forgot about that,” he says, looking retrospective.

“I didn’t.” A swell of affection for Tyler creeps in behind my rib cage. He’s done a lot of these little things for me over the years, and I’m certain he doesn’t remember, but I certainly do.

“That’s the story you’re going to give us? One of him being a nice guy and buying you food?” Titan asks.

“Well, he is a nice guy.” I laugh.

A nice guy who’s done an endless list of nice things. Tyler helped me move into my first apartment after sophomore year. He was in the offseason. Dean had transferred and was too busy to show up. He helped me at Lance’s wedding reception take off my shoes. They were killing me, I couldn’t bend over, Dean was nowhere to be found, and Tyler was. He got down on his knees to help me. He also picked me up at the airport when Lance and Casey had their first baby. I wasn’t expecting it, but when I landed, a text came in from Lance that Tyler would be at baggage pickup.

“You’ve gifted us this opportunity to learn all about Tyler here before he came to the Tarpons and was young and dumb. I’m sure you can do better than that,” Titan says.

“Hey.” Tyler gives him a sharp look that says to knock it off, but the smile on my face grows. I like these people. All of them. They’re easy to be around. The wives seem kind in a way that makes you want to curl up on the couch with them and drink wine, and the guys, it’s clear by the way they are smiling affectionately and mischievously at Tyler that he means a lot to them.

“Better yet, why don’t you give us some dirt on Davis,” Jonah chimes in, deflecting the conversation.

“Oh, yes! Now we’re getting somewhere,” Sully agrees, and the guys chuckle.

“How about we get going on those steaks and leave poor Lily alone,” Sophie says, waving her hand toward the back door.

All the guys look at her as if they were just scolded by their mom, and their eager expressions drop. It’s funny, and I almost laugh, but instead, I lift my glass to cover my face and take another sip.

“Fine,” Sully pouts. “But this conversation isn’t over.”