You Belong With Me

The NFL

 I stepped into the lobby of my penthouse suite, the cool air brushing against my skin, and looked around at the modern decor. The sleek lines and polished surfaces were a far cry from the cozy familiarity of my childhood home, which my parents had sold when they moved to L.A. I felt a pang of loss as I recalled the warmth of our old living room, the echoes of laughter that filled the space. But now, all that was behind me, and I had to carve out a new path in this city. 

As the elevator doors slid shut, I leaned back against the wall, scrolling through my phone and mentally preparing for a night out with my old friends. It was comforting to know I had them to reconnect with, but my thoughts were still tangled up in what had just happened with Wes. Then the elevator jolted to a stop, and the doors slid open again. I looked up to see Wes stepping inside. My heart skipped a beat; it was surreal to see him again so soon.

 "Hey, what are the odds?" I said, forcing a smile as he turned to me.

 "Guess it's fate," he replied, grinning back.  "What brings you here?"

 "Just moved into the penthouse," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "But it seems a little fancy for an average 20 year old like you.." Wes chuckled, leaning against the wall beside me. 

"Yeah, I get that. I was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, so..." His voice trailed off, but I felt my jaw drop.

 "Wait, what? You're in the NFL?" The realization hit me like a wave. I had been following his life on social media, yet somehow I had missed this monumental achievement. My mind raced, trying to process the news. "How did I not know?" He shrugged, a hint of pride in his eyes. 

"Guess I'm not the only one busy with my life, huh?" 

"That's incredible, Wes! Congratulations!" I said, genuine excitement spilling from my lips. "If you ever play in L.A., let me know. I'll definitely come."

 "Absolutely," he replied, his smile widening. "It'd be great to see you there." The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. I stepped out, feeling a mix of exhilaration and confusion. We parted ways, but the encounter had ignited something within me—an old spark that I thought had faded.

 Later, as I walked into the club with my friends, the pulsing music enveloped me, pulling me into the familiar rhythm of our nights out. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and for a moment, I tried to focus on the fun. But all I could think about was Wes. 

"Okay, girl, what's the deal with you and Wes?" my friend Jenna teased, leaning in close. "You two have some serious chemistry. You should totally make a move." I laughed it off, but her words struck a nerve.

 "We're just catching up. I mean, it's been years!" I tried to sound nonchalant, but deep down, my heart raced at the thought.

 "C'mon! He's a total catch. You should go for it," Jenna urged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I brushed her off, but inside, I felt the tug of something deeper. I already had a boyfriend back in L.A., someone I had been dating for a while now. But if I was honest, the relationship felt more like a comfort zone than a passionate connection. I often found myself thinking about breaking up with him, especially now that Wes had re-entered my life.

 "Yeah, maybe," I said lightly, trying to maintain the facade. But as I sipped my drink and laughed with my friends, I couldn't shake the thought that maybe I was ready for something more—something real. And as the night unfolded, Wes lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of what I had once wanted and what I might still desire.