“Things have already changed,” I say into my empty apartment.
Thirty-Two
Julius
It’s been two days since I’ve seen Autumn, and the empty feeling I have growing in my gut is very unsettling. We’ve texted a couple of times. Short, to-the-point words that leave me with a lot of questions. The flirting conversations I’ve grown accustomed to are missing, and I have an overall sense of dread that things aren’t the way I want them. The gap I feel between us is my fault, and I can accept responsibility for my actions, especially when I dragged my feet when it came to filing for divorce. The minute I realized Autumn was someone I wanted to spend all my time with, I should’ve been in the lawyer’s office. Hell, the second I found out Elena had an affair was when I should’ve done something. I procrastinated, and now I think I’m going to end up paying in the long run.
After our forty-five-minute weight training session, we make our way to the cafeteria to grab breakfast before our nine a.m. team meeting. Because we won on Sunday, Coach had our breakfast catered this morning. It’s a reward and one we strive for each week. It’s Coach’s way of showing appreciation, and since we’re football players who like to eat, he goes all out for us. After I get a couple of plates of food, I take a spot next to Noah. Alex Moore and Chase Montgomery are already seated and stuffing their faces. I can’t say I blame them. I’m starving.
“Hey,” Alex says as I sit down. He looks forlorn, an unusual sight for Alex. He’s the happiest guy I know, aside from Noah.
“What’s eating you?” I ask him.
He shrugs, and I glance to Noah and Chase, who offer no help at all. Alex sighs heavily and then emits some low groan, which is so exaggerated you’d think he’s spent time with Roxy and asked how to get what she wants from me.
“Dude, you’re acting like my kid. Spill.”
“Maggie was offered a job in England.” Maggie is Alex’s girlfriend or, more aptly known around the team as the perfect woman because she not only puts up with Alex but makes sure the Pioneers are included in the best events to give us optimum publicity. Unbeknownst to the fans, the sports teams fight for the spotlight. Professional athletes get a bad rap because, let’s be honest, we do some stupid shit. That stupid shit can make it so businesses don’t want us around even though we can bring many people. Maggie, though, she always turns a blind eye and wants us at all her events. She runs the Children’s Museum, and when she took the job, it was some rinky-dink playroom. Now, it’s this fantastic, interactive experience for children, and it’s all because of her. So, I’m not surprised other organizations want her.
“Is she going to take it?” Chase asks.
Alex shrugs.
“It’s what? An eight-hour time difference?” Noah asks.
“Yeah, something like that. I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “I feel like I’m losing her.”
“Maybe she’s ready to settle down, and this is your wake-up call,” Chase, the perpetual bachelor adds.
“There aren’t many times in life when I will agree with Montgomery, but this is one of them,” I say to Alex. “You and Maggie have been together for as long as I’ve known you. She probably wants to get married and have children.”
“So, I should ask her to marry me?”
“Is that what you want?” Noah asks. “Do you see yourself married to Maggie?”
Alex shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it. I thought we were content with owning a house and just living life.”
“Content is not a good thing,” Noah tells us. “Content means you stopped trying. I’m happily married. I love my wife more than my own life, but nothing brings me more pleasure than knowing I did something to make her day better or made her smile. I work hard to make sure she knows how much she means to me. I plan dates and fly her mom up here when I think Peyton needs her and buy her flowers because I walked by the florist when I was out. It’s the little things just to remind her that she’s the love of my life.”
“You and Peyton don’t count in this mess,” Alex says. “You have like this once-in-a-lifetime love affair.”
Noah laughs, but I happen to agree with Alex.
“That may be true, but it doesn’t work unless we work. No one should count on love carrying their relationship. You can fall out of love with someone because no one is putting in an effort.”
“Or you end up like me,” I say. “With a looming divorce and a woman who won’t return your text messages because your ex-wife said some shit she shouldn’t have.”
“Your life has too much drama for me,” Chase says. “It’s why I date.”