Page 13 of Rival Season
The thought puts my smile right back on my face, and I can’t help but hope I’ll have another encounter with my downstairs neighbor again soon.
CHAPTER 6
HAZEL
I’m sittingin my living room and trying to get some words typed in my dissertation, but the scent of roses is nearly overwhelming.
I glance around the living room and shake my head. Chadwick has sent me twenty bouquets.Twenty.Some might think it romantic…but he didn’t send me flowers once during our year-long relationship, and even after we broke up, the flowers only started arriving after Penn overheard our argument and stepped in to pretend we were dating. So clearly, Chadwick is only sending gifts because he wants what someone else has—or what hethinkssomeone else has. He’s like a toddler who was bored with their toy until someone else started playing with it. The whole idea is ludicrous to me.
On top of flowers, Chadwick has also sent cards with pre-written poetry—eye roll. Chocolates—I don’t even like chocolate. And jewelry—I rarely wear jewelry, and even if I did, I’d never wear the items he picked out; they don’t reflect my personal style at all. If he would’ve bothered listening to me and really getting to know me, he’d know this.
What about my thrifted plaid skirts and cozy jumpers screamedwhite gold heart necklace with baguette encrusteddiamonds?Men who don’t know what type of jewelry their girlfriends—er, ex-girlfriends—like are diabolical.
My doorbell rings, and I groan out loud. “What is he sending me now?”
I slide the laptop off my lap and onto the couch before stomping to the door and swinging it open. A box lays at my feet and I glare at it. I’m about to kick it into the hallway and completely ignore the thing, when I notice it’s addressed toBubbles, The Grump in 2B.
Arching an eyebrow, I hesitantly pick up the box and shake it gently. Nothing rattles inside. With a sigh, I close my front door and bring my package inside in search of scissors. Curiosity is killing me. Why would Penn send me something? Especially after how rude I was to him the other night when he helped me with Chadwick...I still feel bad about that.
Maybe it’s not even from him—perhaps, Chadwick just remembered the nickname from the other night and used it to confuse me.
Pulling scissors from a kitchen drawer, I slide them across the tape on the box and a note falls out along with a very nice set of noise-cancelling headphones—the Bluetooth type with the comfortable cushioned ear pieces.
I read the note.
Bubbles,
Sorry for all the noise over the last few months. Hope these help.
-Playboy
I find myself smiling down at the note and instantly school my features. But itisa thoughtful gift, and something I’llactually use. My old headphones are very glitchy, and I can’t afford a new set right now.
Reaching for the headphones, I open the box and slide them out. They’re the prettiest cream color with gold accents on the buttons. They match my favorite sweater.
The realization that the infuriating hockey player upstairs knows me better than my ex-boyfriend who dated me for a year and has known me most of my life has me frowning. I neutralize my expression once more—Chadwick will not get the satisfaction of giving me frown lines.
I plug the headphones in to charge on the countertop and get settled back on the couch with my laptop. I type maybe five words when my phone rings.
“So many interruptions today,” I mutter to myself. But the annoyance is soon gone when I see it’s Violet calling. Despite her being related to Chadwick, I really like her.
“Hey, Violet,” I say, but then a wave of apprehension moves over me.What if she’s found out I’m no longer with her nephew and now wants me to move out?
“Hazel! It’s so good to hear your voice.” She sounds genuinely happy to talk to me, so I relax. “How’s my baby?”
“Fluffy is doing well,” I answer, shivering at the reminder of the furry arachnid. “She’s eating crickets like a champ.”
“What a doll,” she says with a giggle. “How’s your dissertation coming along?”
“Some days the words flow and others they don’t, but it’s slow and steady. How’s Tokyo?” Jeff’s company is based in Tokyo, but they have a branch in San Francisco as well.
“Amazing!” She sighs contentedly. “I love it here. You and Chadwick have to come visit soon.” Her voice drops to a teasing tone. “Speaking of my nephew, you must be so excited about today! I mean, it sucks he needs six weeks of physical therapy, but it's so wonderful you’ll get to see him every day.”
I blink, wondering if I misheard her. The phone line remains silent as she waits for me to speak. Her last sentence plays on repeat a few times in my head before an awkward laugh finally bubbles out of me. “Umm, what do you mean see him every day?”
Violet giggles. “Oh you silly goose! You always crack me up with your dry humor.”
I swallow, unsure how to ask more questions without making it obvious Chadwick and I broke up. Because she clearly has no idea.
