“Dad, this place is too much.” I glance around the fully decorated condo, my excitement simmering with the idea of this space being mine to do with as I please.

The place is amazing. More than I could have hoped for, and I’ve only made it to the living room. There is a huge fireplace and a big soft gray sectional sofa that looks fluffy and comfortable. Big pillows line most of it and it looks so cozy. There is light everywhere, shining in from the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Vegas.

I turn to look at my dad. His hair is a little grayer than the last time I saw him. He’s in a suit like always, but today he’s a little less tense than normal. He looks relaxed. He’s handsome, and I always wondered why he never remarried. Maybe my mother ruined the idea for him. He never brought any women around either.

“This place is perfect.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “Most of the team lives here during the season. The security is top notch.” He nods towards a phone. “You can order food whenever you want and they have a gym and a spa downstairs. Everything you need with only a call.”

“It’s safe,” he pushes. “You could come stay with me if you’d prefer. I’d love to have you at home, but I thought you might want your own place.”

“It’s perfect.” I love my dad and I’m so happy to be here, but I do want my own space. It’s time to start to spread my wings a little.

“I know you like you cook.” He nods to the left and I rush over to the kitchen. I don’t only love to cook, but I love to eat.

“Dad!” I shout, and my excitement bubbles over. I hardly got to use the kitchen at home. My mother hated messes, even though I cleaned up after myself. She also hated having any calorie-heavy food in the house. I only ever got to cook when she went away for weekends or I knew she’d be gone for the night. Sometimes I could sneak down to my dad’s place to cook. He always let me do what I wanted in the kitchen.

I run my hand along the white granite countertop and look at all the stainless steel appliances.

“You haven't seen anything yet,” he says as he walks over to a pantry.

He pulls the doors open and reveals a small room lined with shelves. I step in and see the place is packed with food. It’s so perfectly done, with labels and containers, I almost don’t want to touch anything.

“Did a designer organize this food?” I joke, but the look my dad’s face makes me think I hit the nail on the head. “I’ll never be able to eat all this.”

“You’ll just have to invite your old man over for a lot of dinners.” He wraps an arm around me, pulling me in close, and kisses the top of my head.

“I like that idea,” I agree. “You hungry now?”

“I wish I could stay for dinner, but I have a meeting.” I can hear the apology in his tone.

“I live here now. We’ll have lots of dinners. Besides, I need to unpack my stuff and settle in,” I try to reassure him. We walk out of the pantry and I go to the fridge that is stocked to the brim. I stifle a laugh and grab two bottles of water. I slide one across the counter to him and he grabs it.

“The boxes you sent are in the master bedroom. If you don’t feel like unpacking, then I can send someone to do it tomorrow.”

“Dad, I can unpack myself.” I shake my head in fond exasperation.

“I know you can.” He takes a sip from his water. “Like I said, most of the team lives in the building.” His eyes dart over towards the front door. “I’m starting to regret the unit I picked for you.”

I raise my eyebrows, unsure what he means by that.

“There are only two units on this floor,” he adds.

“Okay.”

“I thought my choice was good, but now after the incident on the plane…” He shakes his head.

“Does one of the other players live in the other one?”

“Yeah. Two.” He sighs. “Thought it would be a good fit for you. I thought…” He trails off.

My heart pounds. I already know who he’s talking about. If two players are living together, it has to be them.

“Dad, if you’re talking about Dean and Wes I’m sure it’s fine. Aren’t they, you know…?”

He shrugs, not answering, then he glances at his watch. “I gotta go.” He walks over and gives me a hug and a peck on the forehead. “Rest up. Work starts the day after tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait.” I walk him to the door and let him out. I look across the hall at the other door and wonder if they’re inside. Shaking my head, I close my door and lock it. When we exited the plane I heard some of the players talking about going out tonight. Something about a hosting event. I’ve heard of celebrities doing that before at popular clubs. I wonder if Dean and Wes are going. I also wonder if the rumor about them being gay is true.

The offhand comments they made to me makes me think they aren’t. Maybe they’re just discreet with their women or something. I explore my condo a little more and almost die when I see the master bathroom. I’ll be taking a swim in that tub later for sure.

I look at all the boxes stacked up and open a couple to make sure everything is here. I pull out the things I know I’ll need for the next few days. After making my way back into the living room I fish my laptop out of my bag before flipping the switch to start up the fireplace. I fall onto the sofa, sinking into it, and grab a comfy blanket.

I go through a few emails before my interest is piqued. I have messages from the dating site I signed up for the other day. I set up a profile before I left for New York. I might have had too many glasses of wine when I did it, but I just wanted to try dating.

My mind goes straight to thoughts of Wes and Dean, but I push them away. Even if they do play for my team, they have heartbreak written all over them. Plus, I could never pick between them.

I start clicking through the messages and delete all but one. It’s clear the others were looking for sex and I’m not into one-night stands. At least I don’t think I am. I’m not sure what I’m into, if I’m honest with myself. I do know I don’t want to die a virgin, but I think I need some kind of connection to get naked with another person.

A guy named Mason messaged me and I look up his profile. He’s cute. Some of his pictures seem a little showy—one shows him standing next to a sports cars, another at a fancy party. He looks like the kind of man my mother would try to set me up with. He’s clean cut with short brown hair and light blue eyes. He looks like a boy-next-door type of guy. It says he’s a doctor who loves baseball, never been married and doesn’t have any kids.

Out of everyone who has sent me a message he’s the only one I would consider a date with, so I message him back, letting him know I’d love to meet up for drinks some time.

When I hear giggling I set my laptop down and go over to the front door. I look out the peephole and see two girls standing outside Wes and Dean’s door. A moment later the door opens and Dean comes out, hugging both the girls before opening the door wider and letting them in. My heart drops when the door shuts behind them.

I close my eyes, hating the jealousy wrapping around me. As if I have a claim to them. How can I be upset? I was just setting up a date, so it’s not like I’m innocent.

I jump when suddenly someone comes and stands in front of my door. I can make out Nelson’s face as he knocks, and I open the door.

He’s changed out of the suit he had on. The team is required to wear suits coming and going from games. Now he’s in dark blue jeans and a tight white polo.

“Hey, gorgeous. Some of us are going out tonight. Want to come? You can hang out and meet some of the team?” He leans up against the doorframe looking casual and relaxed.

I glance over to Wes and Dean’s door and debate for a moment.

“Yeah, I think I do. Give me ten minutes to get ready.” I open the door a little more, inviting him in. He steps inside and shuts it behind him.

“I’ll wait. The place isn’t far from here.”

I go to my bedroom and rush to find something to wear. I go with a dress and a pair of chunky heels, then I fluff my hair a little and put on some mascara and lipstick. When I get back to the living room Nelson is standing where I left him. He turns when he hears my heels clicking on the wooden floor.

He lets out a whistle, and I laugh. It’s playful and I don’t feel like he’s hitting on me. He offers me his arm in a friendly gesture, so I take it and grab my purse with my other hand.

“I’ve never been to a club before,” I admit.

“Then you’re in for the time of your life.”

Good. I need to get my mind off the men who are living next door to me and the women they have in their home. It’s not going to do me any good to dwell on what they’re doing inside.