Page 23 of Keeping Kyle

Her mouth dropped open. “You know I’m gonna want all the details if this happens. I’m booking a breakfast meeting for the next day.”

“We’re going to an event I suspect all of his teammates will be at. I don’t know what you think’s going to happen.”

My heart fluttered as I considered what could go on.

Did I even know how to make a move? Maybe he’d do it.

“Maybe I should connect you with Kyle’s brother, Bobby, so you two can trade notes from the sidelines.”

“Well if you don’t want to give me the dirt, hook me up.” She looked at her watch and started gathering up her trash and closing the cover on her tablet. “I gotta go take a call with Tokyo. See you bright and early for one last presentation rehearsal.”

“I’ll try not to change too much before I call it a night.”

She glared at me as she walked to the door. “Don’t you dare touch a thing.” Her tone was all business.

I wouldn’t do that to the team. But I might make some notes where I might say some different things along the way.

I opened the presentation, but Kyle was lodged in my thoughts.

It meant a lot that Kyle not only asked me out but decided to bring me to an event with his team. I hoped my nerves would behave so I wouldn’t get too closed off or trip over my tongue. At least I had a few days to get used to the idea of this coming up and do my best to not get too freaked out.

THIRTEEN

KYLE

AUSTIN LIVED in a nice building on the perimeter of downtown. I had certain preconceived notions about how tech tycoons lived. Austin broke that. It wasn’t the newest building around to be sure. There were newer, taller buildings near the arena where the city had been trying to reinvigorate things. This building had a good, lived-in feeling while clearly being well maintained.

I pulled my SUV into the circular driveway and parked in a visitor space.

As soon as I walked in, a young man behind the lobby desk greeted me. “Mr. Pressgrove, hello. How can I help you this evening?” He gave a shaky, nervous smile as he straightened his tie.

I’ve played for the Arsenal for seven years, but it always threw me to be recognized away from the arena or events. Kennedy dealt with it often as the captain and the face of the team. And while I’m on the starting lineup most games, having people call me by name in random settings like this surprised me.

“Kyle is fine.” I smiled, and his smile grew larger. “I’m here to see Austin Murray in seventeen twenty.”

“Yes, sir. One moment. I’ll buzz him.”

As he made the call, I glanced around the lobby. The tasteful mid-century look didn’t fit with the outside of the building, but I quite liked it. It all felt like a living room with even the reception desk fitting the esthetics. A wall full of books over a small fireplace took up one side and added to the feeling of being in someone’s home.

“I’m sorry Mr.— Kyle. Mr. Murray didn’t answer. I’ve been on duty about an hour, and I haven’t seen him come in, and he usually stops to check for packages and laundry.”

I sighed. Given the texts we’d traded yesterday and today, I didn’t expect him to be late today since we’d decided I’d pick him up and that I wanted to make sure we were there for Adriana’s welcoming remarks. According to my watch, he still had two minutes before he was officially tardy.

“Is it okay if I hang out of here and wait? I am a little early.”

The guy gave me a single nod. “Of course. There’s water and coffee there.” He pointed to an area adjacent to the shelves. “You can help yourself.”

I nodded back and decided to kill time by looking at the books. The selection was an eclectic mix of fiction, with books I recognized but also many that I did not. A small plaque indicated that residents could borrow books and add ones they wanted to get rid of. Very cool idea to have a lending library like this.

After I read a few spines, I checked my phone. And then repeated the cycle.

The last text message from Austin came in shortly before noon when we’d talked about where we might want to go for dinner. We’d narrowed it down to tapas or pizza.

I also had no missed calls.

Austin had planned to get here with enough time to change clothes too.

We had a little bit of time to spare in our schedule to arrive. I’d give him five minutes, and then I’d go solo.