Cocky Notes - Leesa Bow Page 0,72

more so seeing her father again. I’m going on her turf, and it’s going to be on shaky ground.

Friday morning, I head into Lombardi’s with my teammates after training. I’ve been avoiding coming here because of said space between Macy and me, and now, standing across the road looking through the window, I’m like a kid in a candy shop. I crave what’s inside, and it’s not the food. Crave like a sugar addict on a fucking Keto diet. Her long, brunette hair hangs over her shoulders in waves. I’m watching the way she smiles at customers, and I’m imagining it reaching her mocha eyes with swirls of caramel.

Hell, I want to taste her—all of her.

Macy saunters to the counter, her hips swaying. My cock reacts watching her arse—we’ve been apart too long. My gut tightens every time she’s near me. I shove my trembling hands in my jean pockets before stepping casually onto the road because my mates don’t need to see how weak I am.

My heart’s beating harder than it does when I’ve finished a gruelling training session. I cough as I walk through the door to regulate my breathing, to catch my breath. Only it brings attention to my arrival, and Macy turns and smiles. I give her a quick nod before sliding into my usual seat.

“He’s reclaimed his seat, Fabio.” She looks at Liam and smiles.

“Fabio?”

Macy nods. “He’s sat on your seat in your absence.”

My absence.

Liam has long, golden locks, so I catch on to her pet name. I give him a look, and he shrugs. I know why he sat here. It’s the best seat to spy Macy. He was smart not to jump in before me.

“I’ll have the usual, please, Mace.” I glance at Liam, hinting she knows what I like. “Today, I’ll also have the cake special.” Macy eyes me. “I’ve been breaking the rules lately.” I hold her gaze a moment longer and wait for recognition to drop.

When Macy leaves us, I glance down and notice new menus. No longer one flat piece of paper printed on one side but a brochure-style printed on every side. Bugger. And I can see there’s a separate laminated menu for night dining.

“I see you approve of our new menus.” Oliver stands at our table and nudges the menu in my fingers. “Thought I’d save us both some money.”

I smile at him. “You may have blocked some powerful team strategies and cost us the season’s flag.”

He chuckles. “I’ll give you the caffeine to jumpstart your thoughts instead and supply butcher’s paper.”

The lads chuckle, and Oliver agrees to lay some paper over our table. I can only imagine what will be written, or drawn, and not necessarily all football-focused.

The rest of the morning continues with the guys discussing our training before the conversation switches to the weekend.

“What are your plans, Nemo?”

Nemo. When will they drop it? “Going for a surf tomorrow. Having a lazy one.”

“You coming out with us tomorrow night?”

“Nope. Staying in.” Because I’ll be with Macy. I tune out as they plan their Saturday night preferring to watch her walk across the room toward us balancing coffees on a tray. Her expression is one of concentration, one I recognise, especially when her eyes are closed. How am I going to get through tomorrow night without touching her?

I tell the guys I’ll pay the bill and not to wait for me. The cost is worth the few extra minutes I get with Macy.

I finish typing a message to Chance before standing from the table.

“Any rubbish you want me to take away for you? Menus?”

I glance up to her beautiful face—her cheeks have a touch of colour, and her smile is subtle.

I slide my coffee mug toward her. When she leans to collect it, she slides a napkin toward me.

Living my life without you gets harder every day,

I miss seeing your smiling face.

My seams are starting to fray.

It hurts not having you in my life,

This much I know.

I hope one day I can convince you,

To give us another go.

I fold the napkin in half, blow out a long breath.

“Mace.” I meet her gaze and hold it. “There’s nothing I want more, but you know we need to discuss this because from h-here…” my voice cracks, “… there’s no more fooling around.”

Her cheeks redden. “I know,” she whispers. She walks away and straight through the door to the kitchen.

Shit.

I take a napkin, stare at it a few seconds before standing. Writing a note and leaving it for her