Lorenzo
Just as Lorenzo opened the closet door to search for his shoes, his phone binged. Tonight was the game he and Vince anticipated most during football season: Raiders vs. Chargers, their team against their cousins’ team.
What time you getting here, man? Game’s about to start. It’s just you, me, and Ruby tonight. Rosie has a girls’ night tonight. Let’s do this, Raiders!
Lorenzo smiled but couldn’t help think it odd that his brother would be so cheery when Rosie was going to be out having a girls’ night. Vince was nowhere near as jaded as Lorenzo was about trusting women and for good reason. Sweet Rosie was just that—a complete sweetheart who had never given his brother any reason to not trust her. But Lorenzo had never even heard of her having a girls’ night out. And the girl was such a lightweight it was ridiculous. Even she admitted she’d be nervous drinking if Vince weren’t there to keep an eye out. Vince jokingly said in the past that it was exactly why she didn’t go out without him. Though he’d said it jokingly, Lorenzo was fairly certain his brother was more serious than he cared to admit. So he texted Vince back just to bust his balls.
You sure it’s a good idea to let sweet sexy LIGHTWEIGHT Rosie out on her own? What if she doesn’t make it back tonight?
He tossed the phone down on the sofa again and grinned at the thought of his brother’s reaction to that. Vince’s face went all sour anytime Lorenzo called her sweet Rosie. Lorenzo could only imagine the expression on the guy’s face from his adding sexy to the description.
His phone rang instead of pinging, and Lorenzo was already chuckling about it before he even answered. “What’s up?”
“You’re not allowed to call my wife sexy, you idiot.”
Lorenzo laughed even louder now. “Seriously, you’re letting her go out while you stay home babysitting? What’s this world coming to?”
“Don’t be stupid,” Vince said. “Chatting out front in that grooming van with Romero’s cousin is her girl night.” This time Vince chuckled. “Olivia’s been coming out every couple of weeks, and she and Rose hang out and chat while Sheba gets her fur did. And get this. Rosie was so excited about it she even went out and bought a four pack of wine coolers. Shit. You think I’d let her go out drinking without me? You’ve seen how she gets on a couple of glasses of sangria.” He laughed again. “I still warned her, even with the two of them splitting four wine coolers, to take it easy and slow. I don’t want her passing out on the front lawn on her way in.”
Normally Lorenzo would’ve been laughing at that too. But at the moment, all he could do was swallow hard as the speed of his heartbeat irritatingly picked up again just as it had at the damn services for Janks weeks ago. Every time he thought he’d heard or seen the last of this girl, she’d pop up again one way or another. And each time she did, it got harder and harder to not be tempted to drop the uninterested act and find out more about her. Now she was getting chummy with Rosie?
“Listen,” Vince continued as Lorenzo stood there, still feeling stunned. “I’m stuck here with baby formula and apple juice. I didn’t have time to stop on the way home to grab some beer. So why don’t you stop on your way and get us a twelve-pack, and I’ll pay you when you get here.”
“I uh . . .”
He’d never been good at lying and especially not when put on the spot, but he suddenly had the urge to. He did not want to be around this girl again. His reaction to her the last time he’d seen her—been up close to those eyes and lips—had been nearly disastrous. The fact that she hadn’t bothered to say anything and that she now knew how to reach him if she wanted to, spoke volumes. Lorenzo had actually been pleased about it because if she had he wasn’t sure he would’ve fought the urge to meet up with her. He should just steer clear of her. He had to.
Yet a part of him was already getting a little curious. That’s what it was. He was just curious. Still the last thing he needed was to get caught up struggling to keep his eyes and lips off her again.
Then it hit him. Exactly what were she and Rosie chatting about? Did she know he was Rosie’s brother-in-law? Had she told Rosie about their night together, and if so, what had she said? Was it possible her sudden interest in getting friendly with Rosie had anything to do with him?
He frowned, pressing his lips together. If that were the case, she sure was playing it slow. It’d been almost three weeks since the repast. This had to be just coincidental. Olivia was Rosie’s sister’s groomer now. It was a simple enough explanation for why she was now grooming Rosie’s dog too. There was nothing more to it. But he was curious now, damn it.
“What kind of beer do you want?” he asked.
Chiding himself inwardly, he finished putting his shoes on. Was he really going to do this? Yeah, he was. The more he thought about it, the more anxious it made him, and knowing his sweet little sister-in-law, who talked way too much when she’d been drinking, was having a few tonight made this even more worrisome. What if Olivia did ask her about him? What if Rosie said too much?
Vince put in his order, and Lorenzo was on his way. His goddamned pounding heart was already way more into this than it should be.
~~~
The plan was Lorenzo would get to his brother’s place, and Rosie and Olivia would still be in the van. He’d sneak inside and wait for Rosie to come in when she was done with her girls’ night, and then maybe she’d share a little bit about her new friend. Of course, shit never goes as planned. Rosie and Olivia were standing just outside the grooming van in front of the house. Rosie smiled brightly, waving at Lorenzo as he drove into their driveway, and Olivia turned curiously just in time to make eye contact.
“Fucking great,” he muttered through his fake smile.
Sheba barked at him as she always did when she saw him as soon as he was out of the car. He walked to his trunk, smiling at his giggly sister-in-law, and nodded in Olivia’s direction.
“You guys are gonna need something stronger than that.” Rosie giggled as he pulled the beer and chips out of the trunk. She giggled again at the expression he gave her. “Your Raiders are playing my Chargers. You two will be crying in your beer before the night is over, for sure.” She brought her hand to her mouth, confirming by her continued silly giggling that she’d, in fact, had at least one wine cooler, and then she stopped suddenly. “Oh hey, have you met Olivia? She’s Romero’s cousin and Sheba’s new groomer.”
Lorenzo and Olivia’s eyes met yet again, and he took a deep breath, trying his damnedest not to get caught in them as usual.
“Yes, we’ve met,” he said, feeling his smile wane and nodding at Olivia, but tore his eyes away quickly because even just a sweet smile from her was too much.
He’d leave it at that and started toward the front door, cursing himself for not getting out of coming tonight. The implied message he’d left her with the last time he’d seen her was perfect. Albeit a little fucking rude, it served its purpose. He needed to kill the lingering temptation of getting to know her in any other way. That temptation had been dogging him from day one, especially because he knew where she lived. Seeing her disinterest in him at Sal’s—knowing that she’d lied about her name that first night because maybe she was already attached—had snuffed that temptation. But seeing her again at the repast again had done something to him.
Not since his much younger years had he had to deal with the irrepressible tightening of his crotch at a most inappropriate place or time. The sight of her all dressed up in her big heels at the repast reminding him of their night together had his dick at attention almost instantly. The intoxicating smell of her later when he was closer was exactly as he remembered it that first night. Most significantly, there was something about being so up close to her again. Just like the first time, he’d seen something in those eyes again he still didn’t understand. It’d taken everything in him to fight the unthinkable urge to kiss her.
Hearing how fondly her uncles spoke of her that day about what a “good girl” she is didn’t stifle his growing fascination with her. The possibility of her having any interest in him would only increase any temptation to further acquaint himself with the young sweet Olivia. Reverting back to the callous asshole she’d met that first night had been his only hope.
Lorenzo’s jaw locked as he attempted to walk towards the front door without further incident until Rosie called out for him.
“Oh, Lorenzo!”
Reluctantly, he turned back to them. Rosie turned to Olivia, touching her arm, and addressed her. It gave Lorenzo an opportunity to size the sweet groomer up a bit more without her noticing since Rosie had Olivia’s full attention.
“Both Lorenzo and Vince are big sports fans in general,” she said to Olivia. “Not just football.” She then turned back to Lorenzo. “Did you know Romero has a cousin who plays in the minor leagues?”
Lorenzo shook his head, peering at Rosie and wondering where she was going with this. “Olivia’s younger brother!” she said with a big smile. “He plays for the Palm Desert Nationals. Triple A! He’s been called up to play in the big leagues a few times, and he’s only twenty!”
Rosie’s over enthusiasm about this would’ve normally made him smirk since he was almost certain her wine coolers had everything to do with it. Instead, he gulped hard, desperately trying concentrate on what Rosie had just said in an effort to stop trying to figure out what it was about Olivia he felt so damn drawn to.
“No, I didn’t know,” he said, failing once again at keeping his eyes off Olivia.
She smiled shyly just as he heard the screen door behind him swing open.
“I’ve heard him mention having a cousin who plays ball,” Vince said suddenly, forcing Lorenzo to turn around and bring his attention to his brother. He stood at the doorway, holding Ruby in his arms. “I’ve just never had a chance to talk to him about any specifics. He’s a catcher, right?”
Lorenzo turned back to Olivia, instantly getting caught in her timid eyes. She nodded, looking away from Lorenzo and at Vince instead. “Yep, he’s waiting to hear back from your hometown Padres. Jake Gillespie’s backup didn’t look too good the last few weeks of the season. Gillespie may still be out for a few months the beginning of next season.”
Lorenzo turned to Vince, who wore the same expression Lorenzo was sure he was making. “He’s gonna replace Gillespie?” Vince asked, his jaw falling open.
“It’s not a sure thing yet,” Olivia said with the most adorable giggle.
“I told you they’d be excited,” Rosie said, smiling big and goofy, reminding Lorenzo to get it together.
He hadn’t even noticed he, too, was smiling all big and goofy at the sound of Olivia’s giggling.
“If he gets called up to replace Gillespie,” Olivia reiterated cautiously, “it would only be temporary until Gillespie recovers from his surgery.”
“If the guy recovers,” Vince countered. “There’s no arguing Gillespie’s bad ass when he’s a hundred percent, but shoulder surgery for a catcher, especially his throwing arm, is bad news. He may never be a hundred percent again.”
Lorenzo stood there in what felt like the same damn trance he’d been in at Sal’s for the next ten to fifteen minutes as they spoke more of Olivia’s brother. He loved listening to her talk. The sound of her voice was another thing he remembered he’d been captivated by. It had an almost lulling effect. Something that made sense to him now. As a dog groomer, she likely had to often calm her four-legged clients. Her voice had the perfect calming tone for something like that.
Vince snapped his fingers in front of him, biting his lower lip as if he were trying to remember something, then smiled big. “Rage,” he said suddenly. “Your brother’s nickname. I remember Romero saying something about that one time.”
For the first time in the conversation, Olivia’s smile flattened. “He was dubbed that a few times by local papers, but I wouldn’t say it’s a nickname.”
Lorenzo managed to take his eyes off her for a second in time to see Rosie’s curious expression. “Why did they dub him that?” Rosie asked.
Clearly the mention of her brother’s nickname had changed Olivia’s disposition. That cute little mouth of hers, the one he was trying so hard to not imagine devouring, puckered a bit and she shrugged. “He’s been in a few fights on the field over the years, and the press is quick to slap nicknames on players, but we . . .” She cleared her throat. “Well, he doesn’t mind it so much, but my older brothers and I don’t care for the nickname. It has a negative connotation. It’s not what we want him to be known for.”
“He’s a hothead, huh?” Vince chuckled, kissing Ruby on the head. “No wonder Romero talked about it in a good way.”
Despite Rosie’s somewhat silly mental state, she seemed to pick up on the change in Olivia’s mood too. She quickly changed the subject, asking Vince something else about the Raiders game. With the subject back to football, Vince opened the door, telling Lorenzo the game had already started and they needed to get the beer in the fridge.
“You gonna hang out and watch the game with us?” Vince asked Olivia.
Lorenzo’s heart had just started thundering at the thought of hanging out with her the whole night when she quickly—a bit too hastily—declined.
“No, no,” she said, bringing her hand to her chest and shaking her head in a way that had them all peering at her strangely. “I uh,” she continued a bit nervously. “I can’t. I have to be getting home soon. But thank you.”
Without further explanation, she turned to Rosie, who smiled and turned back to Vince. “I’ll be in, in time for the second half, babe.”
Lorenzo nodded his goodbye to Olivia before turning and stepping into Vince’s front room. Clearly since she and Rosie were still going to hang out and chat until the second half but outside instead of joining him and Vince, Olivia’s need to get home wasn’t as urgent as she’d made it out to be. Why that bothered him he didn’t know, but after being around her again tonight, it did.
A lot.
He knew one thing with all certainty. The night he’d met her she’d been attracted to him. Their chemistry had been off the charts, regardless of how she was acting now. So the only thing he could make of her lack of interest now was that his being an asshole at the repast had undoubtedly been a real turn off. It was either that or she was in a relationship. That shouldn’t piss him off, but it did. God, did it ever.
One good thing about tonight was that if Rosie didn’t know whether or not he’d met Olivia then they’d obviously not spoken about him, but that still didn’t kill the annoying curiosity that seemed to grow with every time he ran into her.
Another thing he was certain of and he was counting on now, was that he was definitely getting something out of Rosie tonight. But why he wanted anything was the question. He’d already established that doing so was a bad idea. The last thing he needed was to get caught up with another seemingly nice girl who had it in her to cheat. Even if he were wrong about that, he’d sworn off relationships. One meaningless night with this girl already had him feeling all twisted. Doing anything more with her would be just stupid. So why the hell was he here to begin with? He could’ve easily told Vince he had unexpected company or a last-minute date. And even with everything his brain had gone over since the night he met her and each time he’d run into her, why was he suddenly even more anxious about finding out more about her?
He and Vince traded as soon as he was in the house. He handed him the bag with the snacks, and Vince handed him his beautiful niece, who wore a Raiders onesie and matching booties. Vince also took the beer from him and headed to the kitchen. Just looking at Ruby’s pretty big eyes, which were usually closed, made him smile and momentarily forget his angst about Olivia.
“Hey, baby girl. For once you’re awake.”
“Of course she’s awake,” Vince said from the kitchen. “She’s ready to watch the Raiders kick some ass.”
“I’m surprised you’re not wearing a Charger outfit,” Lorenzo said, holding her up to get a better look at her Raiders gear. “I thought your mommy would have you all bolted out.”
“She did,” Vince said, walking out of the kitchen with two beers. “I took that shit off her. You can put her down in her swing.” Vince motioned to the swing placed strategically so she could watch the game with them. “She’s a good baby, man. She’ll sit there for a long time just chilling without fussing or anything.”
Lorenzo smiled, kissing her on her little cheeks. “I got her for now,” he said, sitting down on the sofa.
He cradled her in one arm then took the beer from Vince. His brother was right about Ruby. The whole time they sat there watching the better part of the first half she’d sat peacefully in Lorenzo’s arms, just cooing. Even when they got loud she’d been cool. He eventually had to put her down in her swing so he could use the bathroom, and by the time he got back, she was dozing off.
As promised, Rosie walked in just before the start of the second half.
“Okay, no more coolers on girls’ night,” was the first thing she said. “Olivia is worse than me, so she only drank one since she’s driving, which meant three for me.” She giggled, walking toward the kitchen. “I need water or I’ll probably have a headache tomorrow.” She turned to them as she opened the refrigerator door. “Honey, did you know they’re building a Fresh & Easy on Vine over by Joanne’s Fabrics?”
“No, I didn’t,” Vince said, changing the channel on the television.
Rosie went on about the new store and how much she liked it. She quickly moved on to what a great job Olivia had done on Sheba and then touched on how exciting it would be to actually know a real big league player. When her back was turned, Vince opened and closed his hand, shaking his head. Rosie was on rambling roll. The moment Lorenzo had the chance he made a casual comment, knowing she’d run with it.
“I didn’t realize you were so tight with Romero’s cousin.”
She smiled big. “It’s only been a few weeks. I just met her at the repast for Janks, but she’s the sweetest thing.”
Rosie told him about how they were the same age, so therefore they had a lot in common, except of course that Olivia was single, and then, bingo, she started telling them a little too much.
“I feel so bad for her.” She stopped and brought her finger to her lips then shook her head. “No, it’s not a secret. She said her siblings know. Still they don’t know everything, so if you guys ever, you know, talk to her brothers or anything, don’t mention it, but her best friend is engaged to her ex-boyfriend now.” Rosie waved her hand in front of her then leaned over and kissed Ruby. “Well, ex best friend now. She just found out about it not too long ago, and they’re not speaking anymore. But isn’t that scandalous? I mean can you imagine? She said they were like sisters—best friends since they were kids—and this witch goes and starts dating Olivia’s ex, which let me tell you . . .” She took a moment to take a long swig of her water as Lorenzo waited with bated breath. “She says she’s over him, but, c’mon, he was her first everything. They only broke up because she moved out here, so how over him can she really be, you know?”
Rosie moved on to talk about how technically Sheba didn’t need to be groomed this often and Olivia wasn’t charging her for the comb outs like today’s. Rosie was only paying her for the full grooming the poodle needed only every six weeks or so, but because Olivia no longer spoke to her best friend and apparently didn’t have many friends out here yet, she liked stopping by when she got the chance for girl talk like tonight. Something that Rosie seemed excited about.
Lorenzo had heard enough. He didn’t bother probing for more. If he’d been adamant before about not getting involved with this girl, he sure as hell didn’t want to now. The last thing he needed was another chick who was still pining over an ex.
No fucking thanks.