Page 76 of Tough Score

We finally make it up to the landing and it's surprisingly big enough for me and the TV but not Oakley.

"I got it from here if you want to get back to your project before it starts raining again. Thanks for your help," I tell him, knowing that I can pull the TV into the apartment the rest of the way.

"No problem. And hey, I'm throwing my annual Thanksgiving dinner at Oakley's. Seven, Lake, and the girls are coming along with some friends—should be a good turnout. We've got room if you want to come by."

"I might take you up on that."

He pats the TV box and then turns to head back down the stairs.

I hesitate for a moment before knocking, my knuckles rapping softly against the wooden door. There's a shuffling sound from inside, and then the door swings open.

Keely stands there, her auburn hair in a messy bun and wearing comfortable clothes - yoga pants and… my hoodie. I didn't realize that she still had it.

Her eyes go wide in surprise, pulling my hoodie up higher around her neck as a chill breeze whips past us and through the door "Reeve? What are you doing here?"

I can't help but smile at her reaction. "Hey, Doc. I wanted to see your new place. And I brought you something."

I gesture at the large TV box next to me.

"You bought me a giant TV?" she asks, staring down at the box, her eyebrow arched.

"Oakley said you didn't have one and I didn't want you missing out on any of that series we've been watching."

She steps back, gesturing for me to come in. "That was really thoughtful, thank you. Do you need help with that?"

There's a handle cut out on the side of the box, so I slide my hand in and pull it with me through her door.

"No, I got it."

The apartment is small but cozy. The scent of fresh paint lingers in the air, mixed with a hint of vanilla - probably from the candle flickering on a nearby shelf. I take in the space, noticing how she's already made it her own with a few personal touches.

I take notice of the bed in the corner, tucked behind one wall. The bed is made so there's no way to see if both sides are being used. The one thing I do notice that stands out? The baby monitor is perched on one of the end tables.

"This is nice," I say, turning back to face her. "How are you settling in?"

Keely shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's coming along. And it's a perfect spot since it's just me."

"Just me."

The words hang in the air between us. I want to ask if "just me" is because she's the only one who lives here? Or if it means also that no one comes to visit. Like soccer-playing surgeons who can't keep their eyes off of her.

We chat for a few minutes about work and the team, but there's an underlying tension that wasn't there before. It's like we're both hyper-aware of every word, every movement. I can't keep my attention off of her in my hoodie.

"What?" she asks when she sees me staring at the way the sweatshirt swallows her up.

"You still have it," I say, gesturing to the black hoodie with the Hawkeyes team logo over the front.

"Oh…" She glances down at the baggy material. "I forgot I was wearing this. It's the most comfortable thing in my closet," her eyes flash up to mine. "You probably want it back."

She reaches to pull it off her body but I put my hand against her arm to stop her.

"No, it's fine. Keep it. It was my backup, and I like knowing that you wear it."

She seems relieved to not have to give it back to me and I like the idea of her wrapped up in something of mine.

Finally, I remember the other thing I brought with me. I pull the baby monitor out of my jacket pocket. "I almost forgot. I wanted to return this to you."

Keely looks at the monitor, then back at me. A mischievous glint appears in her eye. "You know what? Why don't you keep it? As a memento of our time together."