Page 26

The drive from San Diego to Vegas is a little over five hours, and I pull up to the address Troy gave me a little after six at night. I took a half day for my final day at StrongFitKids’ San Diego location, and we spent most of it eating celebratory cake and talking about what I’ll be doing with Kaylee in Vegas. I’m excited to work closely with her again, excited to be close to Ben, too, excited to get back into the game, and most of all, I’m excited to live in the same town as Gabby.

So when I passed over a hill and the famed Las Vegas Strip came into my view, my heart started beating faster. That view is home now—especially given that it’s a similar view to what I’ll see when I sit on my balcony at my new house in another month.

The same view is in sight from Troy’s place, which is only about a mile from my new place—he’s a mile closer to the stadium than me. We’re both close enough that it won’t be much of a commute, convenient given that the field is where we’ll spend most of our time once we’re in season and not traveling.

And that convenience store that’s within walking distance of my place is the mid-point between our houses. I stop just to grab a few Slim Jims, and sure enough, there’s a big display of them right beside the register.

I tell the cashier to keep them fully stocked since I’ll be in quite often.

I suck in a breath.

This is it.

I’m really doing this.

I talked to my mom for an hour on the way here.

I blasted Dave Matthews Band for the other four hours.

I allowed a few Taylor Swift songs in the mix, too, and I thought about Gabby the entire time, imagining her dancing across the room as she belts out the words to the songs.

My life is about to change. There’s no way around that. I’m finding myself suddenly in a committed relationship with a girl twelve years younger than me. I’m getting back into the game. I’m moving over three hundred miles from what’s been home for the last few years.

There will be highs and lows with these changes, of course. That’s just part of life. But right now, everything’s looking pretty damn rosy.

I ring Troy’s bell, and the door opens a few beats later. Troy stands there, a glass of whiskey held out in greeting. “Welcome to Vegas, man,” he says, and I take the offering from his outstretched hand.

“Thanks, boss.”

“Come on in,” he says. He glances down at my suitcase beside me and the duffel bag slung over my arm. “You got more in the car?”

I shake my head. “All my shit is packed up on a pod that’s being parked in the next day or two in some storage facility a few miles away. I’ll be living out of my suitcase until my house is ready.”

“Well, mi casa, su casa. Make yourself at home, and help yourself to anything you’d like.” He opens the door wider to allow me in. “Let me show you your room.”

He takes me through the mansion, and I recall him mentioning a daughter, but apart from her, nobody else appears to live here. Nobody else is home, either.

“A few others who will be working with us are coming over in a bit,” he says as he shows me the bedroom where I’ll be staying. It has a king size bed with nightstands on either side, a desk and dresser, an ensuite bathroom, and a balcony with a great view —all I need, really. “My daughter’s room is right next door, so try to keep your bachelor shenanigans to a dull roar when she’s home.”

I laugh as I think about Gabby, and sometimes we just can’t help it…we’re not quiet when we’re in the heat of the moment.

“I’m not so much the bachelor anymore,” I admit as I roll my suitcase to one corner and set my duffel down on the bed.

“Oh?” he asks.

“I met a girl when I was in town for our initial meeting. It’s been a fucking whirlwind, but…yeah, I think it’s safe to say I’m officially off the market.”

“Good for you, man. I’m off the market myself. My better half, Joanie—at the club, she goes by her last name, Sapphire—and I have been in a relationship for a while now. It’s probably about time to introduce her to my daughter, but it’s complicated,” he says.

I offer a wry smile. “Aren’t they all?”

“Doesn’t sound like it was for you,” he points out.

I shake my head. “Nah. It came really naturally, actually. There’s just something about her…it’s like I’ve known her my whole life and we were both just spinning our wheels until fate brought us into each other’s orbits.”

“Good for you, man. I know you had it rough with Stacy.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “You have no idea. This girl’s a breath of fresh air. She’s warm and kind, and…” I trail off, and then I glance over at him.

He fills in the rest. “And she’s a fucking animal where it counts?”

“Top notch.” I make a circle with my thumb and forefinger.

He raises a brow. “You sure you don’t want to bring her to the third floor of my club?”

I chuckle. “Thanks for the offer, but we’ll pass.”

“It’s on the table if you change your mind. Let me show you around the place,” he says, and I follow him around his house. He shows me the kitchen, the family room, the workout room, a game room, and the massage room. It appears to be a totally normal house—something I questioned in my mind after learning about Coax, but since his daughter lives here, I imagine he keeps his extracurricular activities limited to the club.

He takes me outside last, and he shows me the killer batting cages he has set up out there along with a gorgeous, luxury pool that I could spend hours relaxing in.

“I think this’ll do for the next month,” I admit, and he laughs.

A catering service arrives shortly after that, and while they set up for the party tonight, I set to unpacking in the room where I’ll be staying for the next few weeks.

I text Gabby, too.

Me: Just got to town. Wish you were here and wish I could see you tonight but I have no idea how late this party’s going to go.

Gabby: I wish I could see you, too. I’m planning to just stay at Mia’s until late, but let’s meet for breakfast in the morning. Work for you?

Me: If by “breakfast” you mean your body, yep, that works for me.

Gabby: Did you figure out a hotel room situation yet or are you cool with bringing me over to your boss’s place yet?

Me: Camping pad, back of your car. I’m sure we can find a dirt lot somewhere. Or we can sneak into my house if there aren’t any workers there.

Gabby: Lol YES. I keep thinking about that balcony off your bedroom and how you could just bend me right over it…

Me: If this party’s over early, I’m calling you for phone sex. No way I’m waiting until morning to rub one out.

Gabby: I’m down for phone sex, but if I’m still at Mia’s, I’ll have to go out to my truck to do it.

Me: Works for me. Then I can picture you doing that to yourself every time we get into your truck. That’s hot as fuck, Sunshine.

Gabby: I’m cool with allowing you to let that live rent free in your head.

I laugh out loud, and then we say our goodbyes. I head down to see if Troy needs my help with anything, but it’s already done, and a few guys have already shown up.

The party celebrating my contract is underway, and it feels like the kickoff event for many, many more fun evenings to come.