Page 25 of Draft Pick
My long black hair is in a slicked-back ponytail, bringing even more attention to my statement glasses. I typically only wear them while working, reading, or if I’m somewhere I know I’ll need to see something more clearly or up close.
But tonight, I thought the cat-eye frames added an extra edge to the fit.
“Okay.” I let out a full breath. “I can do this. Time to make friends and have fun. In that order,” I hype myself up before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. I can’t risk leaving any time to change my mind.
I’m halfway down the front porch steps before finally deciding to look up, and a blacked-out Chevy Suburban meets me at the end of the driveway. Tenley rolls down her window from the front seat, a giant guy with a mustache, who I’m assuming is her husband, in the driver’s seat beside her.
Maybe it is just me.
“Hey, girl. Hey!”
Attempting to manifest a good night, I hold my purse up, a smile riding high on my cheeks. “I’m ready to get down anddirty!” I cheer, reaching for the backseat door and opening it wide.
“Ah!” Tenley squeals. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
My steps halt, and my knees threaten to buckle when a large body drifts into view, catching my full attention. Or should I say: a largeman.
The crowd falls silent as my gaze lifts to Crew’s on the opposite side of the vehicle. “Crew. Hi,” I mutter, careful not to linger too long and slide into the empty captain’s chair.
Something about the coincidence of both men playing for the Strikers made too much sense. Figures Crew would also be the one seemingly closest to the Graves family.
“Doc.” He nods yet doesn’t speak further, and I instantly wonder if I misjudged him.
Tenley’s husband is the first to converse as we head toward the bar. “Hey, I’m August. Tenley told me everything there is to know about the new doctor in town. Glad you could make it out with us tonight.”
I laugh, fighting everything in me not to look to my left. “Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I’ll take it. Thanks for letting the new girl tag along. It’s not easy making friends in your thirties, especially in Atlanta. I swear this city is huge, yet everyone seems to know each other.”
“You’re not wrong about that. That why you moved to the outskirts? I’ve always dug this neighborhood. No neighbors right on top of you. Big lot lines. What do you say we move out this way, Mama?” August turns to face Tenley, and I don’t miss the way her eyes flutter at his nickname for her.
“As much as I love it out here, I’d rather watch the Dodgers beat the Strikers repeatedly for the rest of my existence before ever moving again.”
Reaching into my purse, I twirl my lucky butterfly trinket between my fingers, needing all the steadiness I can manage. Ihad to hunt it down in my scrub pants from yesterday, knowing it would do me good to have it tonight. “I feel you on that,” I say. “And to answer your question, yes and no. I knew I didn’t want to be in the busyness of the city. I moved out of Nashville because of that. I really wanted to find a house to stay in long-term. A place that could grow old with me, ya know?”
“You do know Atlanta is one of the most overpopulated cities in the country, right?”And now he decides he’s got something to contribute.
Knowing I have no choice but to face him, I turn my head and instantly regret it. Bad move, Juniper. I’ve seen Crew Briggs in dad mode and work mode, but nothing could ever prepare me for going-out mode.
Hot damn.Where has Mother Nature been hiding this delicious piece of athleticism and sex appeal? He’s wearing what looks to be ass-hugging jeans covering his muscular legs, a brown knitted button-down shirt, suede brown Chelsea boots, and a light tan backward Nike hat.
Good god, I’ve never seen anything hotter. The casual mixed with dressy is a style I hope never tires.
And that’s saying something because hot men saturate Nashville. Too bad they’re all dumb as rocks and want to be the next country star. Not my thing.
I need to have sex, and soon. Or else, I might risk it all and jump someone else’s husband. Speaking of…I have yet to meet Addie’s mother. You’d think she would be here with him. Maybe she’ll be at the follow-up appointment scheduled next week.
I smile softly, not wanting to give him too much of my attention after he was so short with me just minutes ago. “Yeah, well, that’s why I moved out here.” I point out the window, gesturing to the paths of oak trees littered along the wide sidewalks, homes planted on acres of their own.
Zero congestion. One hundred percent quaint privacy.
“That the only reason you moved? Working at a hospital to owning your own practice is a pretty big change in direction.”
I cock my head. “You looking me up, Crew?”
“Yeah, Crew, been doing some research on my new friend Juniper?” Tenley chimes in, and believe it or not, a blush creeps up his face. “Oh my god. Are you blushing? August, Crew’s blushing!”
“Can’t look. Driving. Take a picture so I can see proof later,” August tells her, and Tenley pulls out her phone, Crew holding out his hand to block his face.
“Man, fuck all of you,” Crew mutters, unable to hold back his laughter. He then turns back to me in sympathy. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be an asshole. I’m just curious. Atlanta can be…overwhelming if you let it.”
