Chapter 1

It's been six long years since I stood on American soil, gazing at the long customs line at LAX. I feel so uncomfortable leaving the peaceful life I built in Florence, Italy, but I promised my dearest friend Jeremy that I would be by his side as he says, "I do," to his beautiful Ashley. 

My heart is beating fast, and I feel very nauseous. I keep looking around at the people to see if I see the face of horror that took me many years to be able to sleep again without seeing his face. 

I hear "Next in line, miss you are next," and the voice wakes me from my daze. I moved to the window, held my passport out to the agent, and replied here for a friend's wedding for five days. I finish in customs and walk to retrieve my bags from Carousel 2. 

As I wait for my bags, I feel a hand on my shoulder and tense up. I turn to look into the bluest eyes I've seen in a long time, and I hear, "Hello, stranger, it's been a long time."

I smile at my best friend's younger brother, Max, and say, "Yes, it has been, and look, who doesn't look like a frat boy anymore but a true grown-up?" 

"Well, we've both changed a lot in our looks; five years is a long time. Show me which are your bags, and I will grab them," Max said.

I stood there for a long time and felt an emotion I've not felt in so long—longing. But I turned it off and pointed to a black suitcase with a yellow ribbon tied around the handle. 

Max pulled the case off so quickly that he asked if there was another. I told him it was just one case, and he replied, "One small suitcase can only mean that you are not staying long."

Unfortunately, I have to be back at the hospital in seven days for a necessary surgery. I let Jeremy know that this would be a speedy trip for me and that I could only stay for the wedding and would leave on the red eye after Saturday. 

We walk out to the parking garage, and Max points to a sleek black Lamborghini Urus. I turn and look at him while he loads my bag into the back, and I jokingly say, "It must pay well to play with balls and knock other men down for a living."

"Well, we can't all be beautiful, intelligent surgeons; therefore, a guy's gotta do what he can to make a living in some way. Jump in, beautiful. We have to tackle this ridiculous traffic in LA,” Max said. 

I sit in the seat as Max quickly drives onto the freeway as if he has no worries. Minutes passed without words, and I relaxed for the first time since landing in Los Angeles. I take a deep breath and start asking questions about how his life is going, but I accidentally let it slip that I've watched all of his and Jeremy's games the day after they played due to the time difference. 

He looks at me and smiles, "A woman can move to another country, but her love for real football never leaves her." 

And I say, “Oh, never let an authentic Italian hear you say American football is the real football because, from personal experience, it opens a can of soccer vs. football discussions that leads to heated exchanges and ending up having to buy a round of beer in a cafe for all, just ask your brother.”

The rest of the hour-long drive was passed with laughs and stories of our adventures over the past five years. We pulled into Jeremy and Ashley's Malibu driveway, and I barely got out of the SUV before I was wrapped in a bear hug from my dearest friend Jeremy. He held onto me tight, like he was scared I would disappear from his grip.

I hear a sweet "My turn, you big Olga," and Ashley steps forward for a huge hug. 

"Mia, it is so great to have you here; I can't wait to catch up on everything. I believe we need some girl time with some wine and gossip," Ashley said.

 "That sounds like a perfect evening to me," I said. 

We all walk into their home, and I look around at the house my best friend has made with the woman he loves, and I feel a rush of jealousy and sadness. The last time I was in this home, it looked like an authentic bachelor pad with leftover furniture from his college days. The two weeks I spent living in this home, recovering from almost losing my life to a man who said he loved me, were the worst days of my life. 

I stood there, and even though the house looked different, all the bad memories returned. A flush of memories came flooding back of laying on this floor covered in blood and thinking I was going to die. I tried to keep walking into the house, but I felt myself hyperventilating and the tears moving down my face, and I just turned and ran out the door. I hear yelling," Mia, stop, please," I turn and see all three people running at me with scared looks on their faces. 

I'm crying, and all I can say is that, "I can't stay here."

I feel myself being wrapped in the arms of my 6'3 best friend and hear him say, "We will figure something else out, I'm so sorry I thought it would be fine since the house looks so different." 

I stand there for what seems like an hour, crying in his arms. I control my emotions and tell everyone I will find a hotel to stay in. I'm a little scared about being alone in a hotel, but I know I can't stay here. 

I hear my suitcase being rolled to Max's car, and he looks up and says, "You will stay with me, and I don't want to hear any complaints because I will make sure you stay safe and you can enjoy this wedding."

Jeremy looks at me and says, "This is a great idea. Why don't you guys head over to Max's? Ashley and I will go get dinner and bring it over." 

I feel a wave of relief. I look up and say, "Nobu, please." Everyone laughs.

On the drive to Max's home, I look out the window and try to get my emotions under control. He grabs my hand and squeezes it but doesn't say a word. This small gesture makes my heart smile. The drive is less than 15 mins; his home sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He opens the door, and I walk into a beautiful home with an incredible view.

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I look at him and say, "It's a stunning home and view; you are a fortunate football man." 

He laughs and says, "It's your home for the next five days, and let's get you settled before Nobu arrives." 

I'm shown a beautiful room decorated in white with light wood accents, with a balcony with a view of the ocean. I know he either hired a decorator or his mom, Charlotte, made all the choices, and my money is on Charlotte, with her big personality and love for her boys. 

I spent a few minutes unpacking. I have a massive case of OCD that involves the intense need for order and symmetry. So whenever I travel, I have to unpack right away. Once I get everything to my liking, I take a minute to open the door, step out onto the balcony, and sit down. The smell of the ocean makes me feel free for a moment. 

I remember when I moved to California for college from Oklahoma and first walked on the beach of my new home. The few years of peace and happiness I felt in California, the ocean, and surfing greatly affected my happiness. 

I think back to my second week of internship for the LA Razors and the day I met the vast and terrifying center, Jeremy Knight. I had no idea then that his man would be my best friend and savior. Day by day, I started letting my guard down around him and the team. 

They made me feel like part of their family, and suddenly, I had another 35 brothers looking out for my well-being. No one tried to say or do anything inappropriate because they knew I had Jeremy, and he watched over me. 

Many people thought or assumed that we were a couple. Many people would say what a great-looking couple we are, but we would always tell them we are just friends. So, when you think about it, I was 19 years old, living a dream life with many possibilities.

The day I walked into the facility, the ladies at the front desk were gossiping about the new quarterback and how hot he was. I kept walking because I didn't have time for romance or hot quarterback gossip. 

I was determined not to let anything or anyone get in the way of my dreams. I walk into the meeting room where everyone gathers on Monday to discuss the plans for the week of training. I sat down with the rest of the medical staff. I look up and notice the most handsome guy I've ever seen staring right at me, and I turn away quickly. Once the meeting is over, I get up to walk out, look up, and see the QB standing in front of me. 

He says, "Hello, I'm Nate, and you are."

Before I could get a word out, Jeremy replied, "Walk away, QB, because Mia is part of the team, and we don't date her." 

That would stop any interest he may have in me. Boy, was I wrong? Nate made it his mission to wear me down by being a true gentleman and paying attention to everything I said or liked.

After three months of trying to ignore my attraction to him, I finally gave in. We decided to keep our romance a secret; we didn't want people to gossip about us. I loved my internship and didn't want anything to jeopardize it. I thought we dated secretly for two years, and everything was going great.

I had spent eight years in California attending college and medical school, but on Tuesday night, my life changed when I chose orthopedic residency. I was so excited about receiving acceptance to the residency program at Massachusetts General, one of the best in the country, that I picked up dinner and went to Nate's home. I parked my car and used the key I had used hundreds of times before to enter his home.

 I put down the food and went in search of Nate. I look all over for him and finally hear the shower on. I go into the bedroom, ease into the bathroom, and see him in the shower with one of the cheerleaders for the Razors. 

I gasped, and he looked up and said, "It means nothing." 

I turn, run out of the house, get in my car, and drive. I'm crying so hard that I must pull into a parking lot. I feel so alone because I can't tell anyone about this, and it's a secret relationship. I sit there for a long time, trying to get myself under control. I finally picked up the phone and called Jeremy. I asked if I could come over and stay the night, and he said sure.

The drive over, I kept thinking about what I would say to my best friend. I just cried once I got there, and he opened the door. Once I stopped crying, I told him everything, and he sat and listened. After I was done speaking, I felt like a weight was lifted. 

He got up and put on his shoes, and I asked what he was doing, and he answered he was going to beat some QB ass. I begged him not to do it because he could get in trouble and hurt his career. After a few minutes of pleading, he agreed. Jeremy calmly told me he would see his brother play in the national championship tomorrow since the team was on a bye week and said I should come with him. 

The following day, we got up early and drove to my place where I could pack a bag. Inside my home were many dozens of roses and a letter from Nate. I asked Jeremy to take everything to the dumpster while I packed. I had decided that I would not have anything to do with Nate except for work. We boarded a private plane to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to watch the national college championship. 

I had a great time sitting in a private box with Jeremy, his mom, Charlotte, and his dad, Frank. It was an exciting game, and Alabama Wave won with a pick-six from Max. That night was the first time I met Max, the youngest of the Knight brothers. 

Jeremy was immense; his little brother was 6'5, all muscles. I have to be honest. My girl parts had a little reaction to seeing him, but I had made a promise to myself that no more men until I became a doctor.

Just then, I heard a knock at the door, and I said, "Come in." 

It's Ashley, and she smiles and says, "Black cod miso." 

Hearing my stomach make a sound lets me know I've not eaten for over 12 hours and need fuel. We head downstairs, where a vast feast of some of my favorite things is laid out in front. I put on my best smile and sit down to have dinner with three people who mean a lot to me but are not family. 

One hour passed, and then another passed. The wine is drunk, and many stories and laughs are shared. I sit in the corner of the comfiest sectional, listening to everyone talk, and somehow, I must have fallen asleep. The long sixteen hours of traveling and the emotional outburst have taken a toll on me. I wake up feeling carried up the stairs and holding on for dear life.

Max laid me on the bed and turned to leave the room. I asked if I could stay until I fell asleep or, even better, stay. I didn't want to be alone. I left the cover-up, and he got in bed with his clothes on. He gathered me up, and I felt safe. I lay there listening to his breath as he stroked my hair and rubbed my back. Before long, I fell asleep and slept for seven hours straight, a much-needed rest.

I wake up still in his arms, with my head on his chest. I turn my head and look at him without the worry someone may notice. He has dark hair, defined cheeks and chin, and the most entire lips I've ever seen on a man. He is incredibly good looking; I've seen the ads with him in his underwear, and his body is impressive. Those thoughts made me feel hot; I had to get my shit together. This sweet man is my best friend's little brother and is a good person to have me stay with him.

Max starts to stir, and I move him off. He opens his eyes and says, "Did you get enough time to ogle me, or should I pretend to be asleep a little longer?" 

He just chuckles. I jump out of bed so fast and run to the bathroom; I hear him giggling. I wash my face, brush my teeth, change clothes, and walk out. He is just getting out of bed and turns towards me.

I look at him, and I can see that he has an erection, and I can feel my face turn red. He looks straight at me with a calm look on his face. "I'm sorry my body reacted to having my dream woman in my bed; I can't say it won't happen again because I know it will, and I have five years to make up for in five days," he said as he turned and left the room. 

I feel so turned on in five years and wonder if I will make it home with heartache.