Love's Game (LarssonSiblingSeries#5)

CHAPTER TWO

OLIVE

I spend thirty seconds on my own in the small, poorly set out bathroom of the Laredo's Tea Room, squealing like a kid. Outside, sits my boss, Michael Richmond of M & T's physiotherapy studio, probably sipping on his black coffee, still smiling from the news.

Dexter Larsson hired me as his personal physiotherapist.

And, I'm shaking.

I didn't believe Michael when he slid the contract over to me, saying that Dexter wanted me to start as soon as his football season did. And, I couldn't stop laughing when he said I would be getting a rent-free apartment for as long as he needs me.

It's so surreal- I'm questioning whether I actually got out of bed this morning.

I must be dreaming.

Taking a few minutes to collect myself, I pull open the bathroom door and weave my way through the busy cafe tables, spotting Micheal on his phone. Like I thought he would be, he's smiling big, motioning for me to walk faster.

"It's Dexter," he tells me, handing over the phone.

Almost dropping the phone, I fight with it to get it close to my ear, chest tight with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Hello?"

"How's it going?" God, his voice.

It's so husky and masculine.

I stop the sigh that's about to escape my mouth and try my best to sound professional. "Good, and you?"

"I'm great, roomie. Looking forward to working with you."

I frown. "Roomie?"

"Michael didn't tell you about our living arrangements?" he responds and there's a smile in his voice.

I look over at my boss who's searching through the menu, oblivious to my gaze. "He mentioned it. I just wasn't aware that we'd be living together."

"Yeah, you're welcome," he responds.

I laugh, and he follows. "I do have a dog, you know?"

"Yep."

"And you're okay with me bringing him along?" I say.

"What would you do if I said, I wasn't?"

I don't know. Sed is my lifeline. Without him, I don't know what I'd do. He's my seizure response dog. One that isn't very good at his job. But, I'm attached to him, and it'd destroy me to get rid of him. He's a friend more than anything.

Dexter speaks up. "I'm joking, Olive. Of course, it's cool for Sed to come. Aaron likes dogs too, so we won't have a problem."

I bring my hand up to my mouth and start to nibble on my nail. "Aaron?"

It sounds like Dexter is munching on something down the line when he says, "Our other roommate. Aaron Walsh. He's a teammate. You'll like him. He's Irish."

Living with two footballers?

Oh, boy.

"Oh," I start to laugh, hearing something rustle down the line. "If he's Irish, then that changes things."

Dexter crunches down my ear. "It always does."

I have to ask. "What're you eating?"

"Wotsits," he tells me through a mouthful of them. "You're not one of those people who freak out at mouth sounds are you?"

"Who isn't?" I respond.

Dexter crunches down on more to annoy me I'm sure. "It doesn't bother me."