“Hey babe, keep getting your voicemail. I hope everything’s alright. Anyway, just checking to see how you’re doing. Heading to Gillette stadium with Ava to see Gabe for the day. Let me know if you want to do a late dinner. Love you.”
Sienna hung up the phone, placing it onto her dresser before she started to get ready. It was Monday morning and he was probably busy at work. She pulled on pair of light distressed jeans and a thin navy v-neck sweater that hung slightly loose before putting on her white converse sneakers and pulling her hair into a high ponytail with her bangs out and swept to the side before applying her makeup. Looking in the mirror, she sprayed on some perfume before grabbing her crossbody purse and walking out the door to her living room where Ava was already waiting in the kitchen, helping herself to a bowl of cereal.
“Who were you talking to?”
She asked, looking up from her phone as she took another spoonful into her mouth. Sienna shrugged her shoulders while making her way to the kitchen cabinet to grab herself a snack bar before resting her arms on the counter.
“I called Cam. Left a voicemail.”
“You don’t find it weird how often you have to leave him voicemails now a days?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “Since his new promotion, he’s been extremely busy. You can’t get mad at the guy for being career focused.”
Ava got up from her seat, placing the bowl in the sink and rinsing it off. She rolled her eyes at her older sister for making excuses. She didn’t trust Cam. Never liked him from day one and now, 2 years later, her sister had plans to have him move in. Placing the bowl and spoon in the drying rack, she dried her hands on a towel before making her way around the counter to grab her jacket and her bag.
“Whatever you want to tell yourself, Ana. You ready to go?”
The halls were filled with the echos of shouts and grunts coming from the field. The white walls of the hallways covered in posters of the beloved football team and their sponsors. Trophies put on display for all those passing to see. The smell of grass and musk filled each room. She could see why people got excited for their hometown heroes. There was a sense of nostalgia there. Pride and motivation for the current team. They knew they had a lot to live up to but they’re record breaking plays were only bringing them closer to making history.
Ava and Sienna walked towards the ladies room while Gabe was talking to one of the assistant coaches. Sienna waited outside when the field doors swung open, filling the hallways with sweaty giants, suited up in protective gear. She caught a flash of green through the slightly open large doors, drawing her in. Her eyes shifted left and right to see if Gabe was coming before she walked through the doors, seeing one player still left on the field, ball in hand as he practiced running through cones. The field was tented, blocking any view from the seating surrounding it for privacy during practice. It was all a lot bigger than she’d imagined. Full of scattered equipment that people were rushing to pick up. She stepped further up to the turf, her eyes roaming around at all the different areas that were set up when she heard her name being called. Shit. Was she not supposed to be here? She turned slowly, when she saw Julian again, his helmet tucked under his arm as he walked across the field to approach her.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Oh.” She looked around nervously. “I just wanted to see the field, am I not allowed on here?”
“No, you are. But what’re you doing here – like in the stadium?”
“Oh!” She laughed lightly, shrugging her shoulders. “My brother’s interning for Belichick. My sister and I get free tours and stuff.”
“Who’s your brother?”
“Gabe. Gabriel Grace.”
His eyes widened, damn near popping out of his head. She laughed softly, cocking her eyebrow as she watched his expressions change from confusion to realization before he cleared his throat to catch himself from staring too hard.
“Shit. That’s where I’ve seen you. Kid has a picture of you and your other sister at his locker. Still – you are NOT what I was expecting.”
She laughed lightly, crossing her arms over her chest. “What did you expect?”
“Someone more – of a nerd? – no offense.”
“Well I’m sorry to disappoint, if that’s the case.”
“No, no – you exceeded expectations.” He smirked, nodding his head out towards the field. “You still want to take a look?”
She looked past him to the now empty field before nodding. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”
He shot her a smile before placing his hand on her back, leading her further onto the field. Usually she hated when people touched her but she didn’t mind that his hand was on her. It felt comforting – safe. She took the opportunity to take a closer look at him. His muscular build protruding even under the padding they wore to practice. He was gorgeous – that also seemed to be a requirement for the Patriots.
“So this is it. Where all the magic happens!”
He spread his arms proudly, showing her the empty field. Her eyes caught his, there was a spark in them as he looked out at the field, no doubt imagining the roaring crowds on game days. This is what he worked for. She smiled softly, taking a few more steps out onto the grass.
“So this is where you learn to tackle unsuspecting people in the street?”
He laughed nervously, moving his hair out of the way. “I’m not that clumsy I swear. Most people I tackle are on the field and know it’s coming. They’re just not quick enough to get out of the way.”
She smiled at him as they walked along the field looking at all the different equipment they used for practice. It all looked so heavy and rough but compared to these players they were nothing. Julian was tall but he was one of the shortest compared to his teammates. His eyes landed on hers, that side smirk of his playing on his lips.
“Sorry, I can’t get over how beautiful you are. Couldn’t see that intern being related to you.”
A blush swept across her cheeks as she smiled up at him. “Gabe will grow into his big head. He’s got time.”
She watched his lip twitch in amusement but the smirk never leaving his face. His eyes focused solely on her again, she cleared her throat and smiled, motioning her head towards the doorway.
“I should let you get back.”
Disappointment flashed through his eyes but he nodded in agreement. She watched as his signature smirk reappeared before she heard his raspy voice again.
“Yeah, maybe I’ll see you around.”
Sienna smiled with a nod and continued or the doorway to see Ava standing outside of the ladies room with Gabe. The two turned their attention towards their older sister.
“Where were you?”
“Out on the field, Julian was showing me around.”
“Julian? As in Julian Edelman? You’re on a first name basis now?
Ava jumped in, eyes wide with interest. Sienna laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
“Am I supposed to call him Mr. Edelman?”
“Well no, but you shouldn’t act like it was just the most normal thing in the world!”
“But like it was. He just showed me around. He’s pretty cool.”
Gabe laughed as Ava mocked the older sibling in jealousy before he cut in. “Alright alright, come on.”
“Cam?” Sienna asked as she entered her apartment, noticing the TV was on and a few boxes left in the living room.
“In here.”
She heard his voice from one of the rooms in the back . She smiled as she walked to the back, finding him brushing his teeth in the bathroom. Leaning against the door frame, she couldn’t help but admire how good looking he was. Sun kissed skin, toned washboard abs, broad shoulders. His dark brown hair always trimmed short and swept to the side, never once out of place.
“Hey you.” She smiled sweetly.
“Hey beautiful.”
His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. He was comfortable and warm. They’d had more than their share of ups and downs, but at the end of the day – being wrapped in him was all worth it. She smiled, kissing his bare shoulder up to his neck when a dark mark caught her attention. Pulling away slowly, she got a better look at it and felt her stomach drop. Was that a hickey?
“What – what is that?” She back away, unable to hide her confusion and disgust.
Cam looked in the mirror and she watched as his eyes widened before a cool, composed look took over. “Oh, one of the guys at work tossed something at me earlier. Hit me in the neck.”
Crossing her arms over her chest she leaned in closer to look at it but he was already pressed against her again, lifting her chin to press his lips against hers. “You know you’re cute when you get jealous.”
“Do I have anything to be jealous about?” She pulled away slightly but his hands on her waist weren’t letting her get too far.
“Of course not, baby”
He smirked, kissing her lips once more before walking back out to the living room to shuffle through his boxes. Still, as nonchalant as he was being about it, an uneasy feeling came over her. That didn’t look like any bruise she’d ever seen. Yet she didn’t have any reason not be believe him. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her after all this time. No. She shook her head from those nagging thoughts. He had no reason to lie.