Stealing Home (The NY Grizzlies Book 1), page 1
STEALING HOME
NEW YORK GRIZZLIES
CHARLIE DEE
Copyright © 2024 by Charlie Dee
ASIN: B0DG26KVVQ
All rights reserved.
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Cover Design by Lily Bear Design Co.
Editor: Nerdy Girls Collective PR
Created with Vellum
Don’t be afraid to swing for the fences, if you don’t try it’ll never happen.
Thank you to those who made sure I didn’t leave the batter’s box.
CONTENTS
Playlist
Trigger Warning
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PLAYLIST
1 I hope - Gabby Barrett
2 Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
3 Who’s Lady - The Isley Brothers
4 Hello - Lionel Richie
5 Alkaline - Sleep Token
6 We are never ever getting back together (Taylor’s Verison)- Taylor Swift
7 Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc
8 Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
9 Exes- Tate McRae
10 Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
11 What Ifs - Kane Brown feat. Lauren Alaina
12 Lil Boo Thang - Paul Russell
13 Stand Out- Powerline (Tevin Campbell)
14 Batter Up - Nelly Feat. Murphy Lee & Ali
15 Baby - Justin Beiber
16 Last Saturday Night - Cole Swindell
17 Not Good at Not - Morgan Wallen
18 Earned It - The Weekend
19 Lonely if You Are - Chase Rice
20 Burn - Elle Guoulding
21 Why Should We - Chase Wright
22 Whisper - Chase Rice
23 Lose Control - Teddy Swims
24 So High School - Taylor Swift
25 Whoomp There it is - Tag Team
26 Can’t Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
27 Far from Home- Sam Tinnesz
28 We Are The Champions - Queen
29 All I do is Win - Dj Khaled
30 Endgame - Taylor Swift
TRIGGER WARNING
Please check all triggers before reading. Your mental health matters to me.
Trigger Warnings
PROLOGUE
“Everyone is being laid off as the company has been bought out and they’re not keeping staff. We are closing our doors as of now to guarantee that we give everyone six months’ severance pay, in addition to their regular salary this Friday.”
All I can hear are murmurs of disbelief and some of my coworkers even start to cry. This news has blindsided us all.
This is just fucking great. What the hell am I to do now?
After we are dismissed, I make my way to my desk and pack up my belongings. As I place the final item in my box, the clock on the wall reads 11:30am. With a final glance at my office, my second home for four years, I grab the box and head to the elevator. While making my way to the car, a thought comes to me to surprise my boyfriend Toby with lunch.
After a trafficless drive, I pick up our order from his favorite sandwich shop and head over to his place.
Toby’s definitely home because his car is in the driveway, but when I knock, there is no answer.
Huh, that’s weird. Could he be in the bathroom or on a work call?
Having to use my spare key to open the door in case he’s busy, I immediately hear a squeaking noise coming from down the hall.
This isn’t going to be good.
Taking my time to walk down the hall towards his bedroom, I hear a manly moan which causes me to go still as a steel rod.
Maybe it’s the TV?
Getting my feet to move again, that’s when a second moan followed by a giggle that’s very much not the tv, reaches my ears.
What the fuck?! Oh hell no!
Slamming his bedroom door open, what I see before me is actually worse than anything my brain could have imagined.
“WHAT THE FUCK?!” I scream at Toby and the two women lying half naked in bed with him.
“Adriana! What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at work?” Toby jumps up and at least has the decency to try to cover himself up; though he’s unsuccessful.
“Well, I brought lunch for you since I had time, but obviously I didn’t bring enough,” I say, holding up the bag of sandwiches in my hand. “You know what, Toby? I hope you have fun with your floozies! I can’t believe it takes two of them to replace one of me to get you hard. You really do have small dick energy, ASSHOLE!”
With a glance down at his now flaccid cock, I laugh.
The women share a dumbfounded look between them, and it seems they don’t know what to do.
Fucking floozies!
I turn back the way I came.
“Adriana, wait. Let’s talk this out.” Toby spouts out. He follows behind me and grabs my arm.
“DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH ME!” whirling around to face him. I yank my arm free from his grasp. “How fucking dare you think you can touch me, let alone talk your way out of this after what I just fucking walked in on!”
My chest tightens and the need to get all of my thoughts out overcomes me.
“What could you possibly say to make this okay? We’ve been together for three years! THREE FUCKING YEARS TOBY! And this is how it ends? This is what my love is worth to you?” I scream at him, feeling like I’m ready to break down, but he doesn’t deserve my tears.
“Adriana, I’m so sorry. I love you, I do. I should have told you I wanted to explore more in the bedroom. But what we have just hasn’t been fulfilling all of my needs.” Toby explains. “You’re a lady in the streets and the sheets, but I want a freak behind closed doors.”
I’m a deer in headlights at Toby’s confession.
What in the actual fuck? Is he for real? There’s no way he is serious.
“No shit Sherlock. You could have just said something when you started feeling that way. Instead, I get to walk in on your freaks in the sheets.” Throwing his words back at him. “If you couldn’t have the conversation with me, you should have broken things off because I wasn’t the one for you. Don’t worry, I’ll do it for you. We’re done.”
Taking a breath, there is just one thing left to say.
“Here’s a little tidbit for you. BE FUCKING HONEST YOU DAMN SMALL-DICKED COWARD! Have a great life or don’t. I don’t give a fuck. Me, I’m not your problem anymore.” I take the bag of sandwiches in my hand, throw it at his face and slam the door as I leave.
Climbing into my car, all I can think about is what a shittastic day it’s been, and it’s only one pm. I drive home on autopilot in shock at what had just happened.
Unlocking the door to my apartment, my first order of business is to throw out the picture of Toby and me that’s on my nightstand in the trash. The glass breaks as it hits the basin. Good! Broken, just like our relationship. Second order of business is to grab my pajamas off my bed and change.
Once comfy and cozy, I make myself a much needed tall glass of Jack and Coke. As the bubbles tickle my nose and the whiskey burns my throat, I notice there are only a few personal items around my apartment. Realization hits me square in the face that this has never really been home for me. With this knowledge and the events of today, the dam holding back my tears breaks.
Let it all out now, Adriana. Today is hard, but you’ve been through worse. Get knocked down but get up again.
When the tears cease, I decide that today will not consume me completely.
Tomorrow I’ll start looking for a job that’s anywhere but here in Colorado
I open my laptop and get to work updating my resume. One step at a time. Hopefully, it won’t take too long to create a new life for myself.
CHAPTER ONE
Adriana
Four Months Later
On Sunday night, I’m checking my email. “Well, shit.” saying aloud in amazement reading my computer screen.
Never did I think that I’d be a final applicant for the personal assistant position I initially applied for two months ago. The first two interviews happened rather swiftly, and I was starting to lose hope I’d get the third.
The agency informed me they would disclose the employer’s name only during the final interview, provided that I’m asked to come back. Reading the name of who my potential boss could be, has me freaking out! I stop myself to look back at the email. Attached is a flight confirmation showing I fly to New York in three days.
This agency sure does move fast. Don’t freak out, you’ve got this.
Making a mental list of all the things needing to be done to ensure I’m ready for this trip. At the top is a call to my best friend, Dani.
I pull out my cell phone and dial her number. Every time I call her during these challenging months, she answers immediately.
“Bestie!” Dani answers the phone.
“Bitch! Guess what?!”
“Well, hello to you too, bitch!” Dani says, reminding me to use my manners. “What?! Just tell me, I fucking hate this game.”
“Hi, Hello, Bonjour, Hola!” I tease. “I’m coming to New York for THE final interview!”
“Bitch, stop it. You’re lying! But please tell me you aren’t.” Dani says with hope in her voice.
“I’m one thousand percent serious. I just got the email. My flight is on Wednesday and leave on Friday. Will I get to see you while I’m in town? And would you be able to pick me up from LGA?”
“Of course! I’m not out of town this week and I will move mountains to see you! It’s been at least four years since we’ve seen each other in person. Can you stay with me, or are they putting you up somewhere?”
I’m reminded of our last face-to-face meeting by her words. Damn, it really has been four years. The last time was when she came out to Colorado for work and stayed a few extra days to hang out.
“Sheesh D, you’re right. They only paid for my airfare. So, if you don’t mind having me, I’d love to stay with you. If needed, I could spring for a hotel, though?”
“If you don’t stay with me, we won’t be best friends anymore!”
“I love you! I will text you the flight info so you know when I’ll be landing. ”
“You better or you’ll be catching a cab since I won’t know when to come get you.”
“Sending it now. Thank you bestie. Love you tons!”
“Adding it to my calendar. Love you too babes, see you soon!” Dani says before hanging up.
I can’t express how thankful I’m for crossing paths with Dani six years ago. We became instant best friends through our mutual love and support for a small online boutique called, The Infinity Boutique By KAIT.
We’ve only met in person a handful of times, but we Facetime at least once a week and text almost daily.
Dani and I also share our height. We’re both 5’3. But we differ where she has shoulder length chocolate brown hair, while mine is raven stark black and halfway down my back. Dani is lean as she loves to work out and I’m okay with my curves in all the right places. She has just the slightest tan year-round that makes her bright blue eyes pop. She is a year younger than me and she’s my soul sister. With a crazy personality and a ridiculous heart of gold, she always calls me out on my bullshit and it’s why I haven’t gotten rid of her yet. Not that she would let me if I tried.
I don’t have any family since losing both my parents within the last six years and they were both only children. Dani really is the only friend that I have. I used to spend time with a few coworkers, but now that our work interactions have decreased, they only reach out to me when they require a reference for a job interview.
I guess I really am a lone wolf here in Colorado.
After the curveball life has thrown me these last four months, being in the same state as my best friend will be a game changer for my morale.
Next on the to-do list is being prepared. Going straight to my closet to start packing, I gather clothing options so Dani can help me choose what to wear and hang them in my garment bag.What’s a best friend if they don’t help you pick out an interview outfit?
Thankfully, if anything is forgotten, she will probably have it or know where we can go grab it quickly by staying with her. Staring at my closet, I add a few more items….better to have too many options than not enough.
Finishing packing for the night, I feel extremely giddy and hopeful that my life is about to change drastically for the better in three short days. My current situation has made me realize I want more out of my life. My parents always told me I deserve the world, and it’s time to start believing them, even if it’s on unsteady feet.
I’m amazing, unstoppable, and inevitable. I’m ready to be onto bigger and better things.
Here’s to living life on a prayer.
The last three days have passed in the blink of an eye. The butterflies floating in my stomach almost have me nauseous as my Uber driver pulls up to drop me off at Denver International.
Lucky for me, I planned ahead and arrived a few hours early. Getting my luggage checked and going through TSA only took me a little over an hour. It’s early in the morning and being able to grab a cup of coffee is heaven as I wait for my boarding call.
As soon as I finish my cup, they summon my group to board. Getting settled in my seat, my eyelids feel heavy.
I love coffee but it doesn’t always do its job.
Sleep was lacking last night because of the excitement and nerves that started running through my thoughts. I must be more tired than I thought because I fall asleep and only wake up when the pilot announces overhead, “Welcome to New York.”.
Exiting the plane, I switch my phone off of airplane mode. Once the signal hits, I see I have a few missed calls and texts from Dani. As I go to call her back, my phone vibrates.
“Hi, Hello, Bonjour, Hola Bestie, I just got off the plane. Do you have a chill button?” I ask, not hiding my laughter.
“Hell no, I don’t. You’re here in my state! Hurry! I’m at the baggage claim, waiting for your ass.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m on my way. See you in a moment, loca.” I hope she can hear my eyes rolling as I hang up.
I’m beyond excited to see my best friend. So much so that I almost start running to meet her but think better of it, deciding to be an adult and just walk briskly.
Following the signs to get to baggage claim and a short escalator ride later, spotting Dani is easy. She’s standing in front of the screen that shows departures and arrivals. Seeing her poster board sign, all I can do is laugh as people passing by are looking at her strangely, like she is not of this world. I get off the escalator and walk over to her.
“Really? Welcome home bitch, now you can never leave.” I say, reading her sign out loud. “You even used the star for the i? You are nuts, but it’s why I love you!” We laugh and wrap each other in a tight hug with tears in my eyes. No one in my life has done something so silly yet, so meaningful.
“I’m just excited that you are actually here! Let’s grab your bag and get moving.” Dani interlocks her arm with mine. “You had a long flight. Are you hungry?”
“Starved and ready to get comfy to start prepping for my interview tomorrow. You’re helping me pick out my interview outfit, by the way.” I inform her.
I spot my luggage on the carousel as it starts to go around and grab it. Walking out of the airport and over to where Dani’s car is in the parking lot. We make haste to get in and head to her place.
“How was the flight?”
“Fine, I guess? I fell asleep.” I look over at her and smile. She really does know me better than I do. “I didn’t sleep all that much last night, either.”
