From back down the hall, I hear the unmistakable sound of a hair dryer and I breathe a little sigh of relief. She’s still here.
I peer into this fridge, taking note of the items Tess purchased—yogurt, salad stuff, fresh pineapple, a pack of turkey, and some cheddar cheese. What I don’t see is a pale blue pitcher of freshly brewed iced tea.
My housekeeper Yolanda knows just how I like it. She’s this awesome Cuban woman I met at the practice rink. She was one of the janitors there, and she was always so nice to me. I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, and now she works for me two days a week, stocking my fridge with the most amazing food. She makes me iced tea each week too. I don’t know what magic she puts in it, but it’s delicious—not too sweet, with just a hint of lemon.
The doorbell rings, and I close the fridge, swinging over to the front door. I see Shelby’s outline through the fogged glass. “Who is it?” I call out, just to be a dick.
“Open the door, Langley. The ice cream is melting!”
That has me on the move, twisting the bolt on the lock to let Shelby in.
She sweeps past me, her hands full of bags, big sunglasses framing her face. She’s tall and skinny, built like a volleyball player. In fact, I think she may have played in college. Her long, dark ponytail swishes as she walks.
I follow behind her, turning the corner just as she sets all her reusable shopping bags down on the counter. Immediately she turns, flicking her sunglasses up to the top of her head. “You look like shit, Ryan,” she says in greeting. “Have you even showered since the Classic?”
I just shrug. “I’ll get around to it eventually.”
She squares off at me, hands on her hips. “You’ll do it today, or I’m gonna hose you down in the front yard. Don’t think I won’t. And if you’re entertaining bunnies in here, I’ll do the sheets at the same time.”
“Nice to see you too, Shelbs.”
Remembering her manners, she sweeps forward and wraps me in a hug. “Oh—” she stiffens in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” comes Tess’s voice from behind me.
Shelby pulls away and peers around me.
I glance over my shoulder, my gaze feasting on Tess wearing curve-hugging black leggings and a cropped Ferrymen top. She’s layered it with an open fleece zip-up in a soft grey color. Her red curls frame her face, her freckles on full display.
“Well, you don’t look like a bunny,” says Shelby in greeting.
“Excuse me?” says Tess.
“You’re Doc Price’s friend.” Shelby steps around me, holding out a hand. “It’s Tess, right? Hi, I’m Shelby O’Sullivan.”
“The team captain’s wife,” Tess replies, looking at the hand but not taking it.
“‘Til death do us part,” Shelby says with a laugh, dropping her hand back to her side. “Langley here was just telling me about you. He says you’re roommates now?”
“I wasn’t,” I say, leveling my gaze at Tess. I don’t want her to think I’m gossiping about her. “I didn’t say anything about you.”
“It’s temporary,” Tess replies, her gaze still on Shelby. “I’m only in town to help Mars with his nonprofit.”
“Oh, that’s right,” says Shelby, making herself at home as she starts unloading all the groceries. “Sea turtles or something like that, right? Josh told me a bit about it.”
Tess nods. “Rachel offered me use of this place while I’m in town. Seeing as they’re all newlyweds, I thought it best I not be underfoot.”
Shelby laughs. “Yeah, I can imagine it’s a bit chaotic over there.”
“And I’m only here because of this,” I add, gesturing down at my braced knee.
“Well, then it’s kismet,” Shelby replies. “You’re welcome to any of this food by the way,” she calls over to Tess.
“I’m fine,” Tess says, moving towards the coffee maker. Her phone on the kitchen table lights up.
“Tess, your phone is ringing,” I say.
She ignores me…and the phone.
“You don’t like me,” Shelby presses, leaning her hip against the fridge, her gaze following Tess.
“Shelbs…” I say in warning.
“You don’t know me,” she goes on. “But you don’t like me.”
“I’m just having an off day,” Tess replies, closing the lid on the coffee maker. “An off decade,” she adds under her breath.