Chapter One

Winter went into action, as Knight demanded Sports affections. Grabbing each item she quickly put it away, sliding the toys across the table. Sport turned with a smile, removing the tags. He tossed the rope, Knight barked happily chasing after it with playful intent.

Sport couldn't help enjoying the time, he loved her dog. Remembering the first time Winter had bought her, Gem had been thrilled. She had called him immediately showing up, as Winter gave her German Shepard her name Knight. Sport smiled playing tug a war, Winter relaxed putting some tea on. Setting the table with creamers, and sugar cubes with a few herbs to add more taste. Placing a few saucers, with a few tea cups, taking a seat she watched. Knight had been thrilled, almost taking out her coffee table as Sport played with her.

Winter gasped covering her eyes to avoid seeing the collision.

"Okay you two that's enough, Sport let her go outside, with her toy. No more to close accidents, let her outside." Winter stated firmly. Sport sighed unwilling to let her outside, yet he did it reluctantly. Walking up to the table taking his seat as he poured himself a cup of Earl Grey.

Adding some sugar taking a sip he leaned back stating,

"Hey we were having a blast, sorry about the to close crash. We weren't thinking about it, I haven't seen Knight for awhile. I got excited. She's gotten so big, she looks really healthy. She's beautiful Winter."

"Yeah, it has been awhile glad you got to see her. No worries, it didn't happen yet to close for my comfort. I don't want her hurt, that table is pretty stable. It's safer she's outside playing. So why aren't you at Gem's, I had been really surprised to see you approach me." Winter asked curiously. Sport drank down the tea, pouring another cup with a touch of creamer and sugar. He lifted a brow asking.

"What kind of tea is this it's really good, I'll have to try the other ones."

"OH, that's Earl Grey, the other is Sleepy time, and the third is Black tea. I was going to serve a different flavor. It seemed to me, you needed something different, you look exhausted Sport. I have a spare room if you need a nap." Winter suggested quietly pouring herself another cup of Black Tea. Sport lifted a brow drinking some more thoughtful,

"Yeah, guess I am, just helped move everything into a moving van. Gem and I aren't dating anymore, she's getting married in June, I think the 21st. I'm single have been for awhile, haven't said anything about it yet."

"OH, I had no idea my apologies Sport. Chill out as long as you need to, I kind of figured you didn't want to talk to anyone. Seems to me everytime you want to get away from everyone. You give me a visit, I'm alright with that I do live a quiet life. Only go out to socialize if I seek to." Winter confidently stated taking another drink.

Sport finished his cup pouring another asking,

" Do you mind if I jump in the shower like real quick."

"Sport I don't have anything for you to wear, some of your guy stuff is here. You left your bag last time, you were kind of in a hurry. You know what I have an idea, here take a look pick out what you like, I'll have it delivered with express." Winter suggested as she opened the app on her phone and handed it to him. Sport grabbed the phone looking through the items. Making his selection he pulled out his credit card. Winter waved her hand, shaking her head no.

"No you don't need to do that, I have credit. Just take me out to lunch sometime. There the orders been placed, it should be here in an hour. I have suggestions available if anything you ordered is sold out. Go take your shower your bag is in the closet on the upper shelf, on the right side. It's all there even your razors, drink up go enjoy your shower."

Sport finished his tea with a smile heading straight to the bathroom. Winter leaned back taking another sip, watching Knight play with her new toy. Hearing the shower turn on, she smiled his stuff would be here before he finished. He liked taking hot showers with all the time he had. Meaning his shower would take him a few hours, he had done it many times. After practice or when he had been helping Gem or several other reasons.

It had never bothered her, Gem had done it a few times also. Winter didn't mind offering, they were her friends after all. Walking to the back porch, she sat down on her swing taking another drink enjoying the peace. Some time later she heard the doorbell, putting her cup down she walked quickly to the front door.

Accepting the packages with a tip she thanked him. Placing the packages on the table she grabbed more tea filling up her glass. She had put in her vacation, which had been approved. Tomorrow it would begin, a paid vacation was definitely something to relax about. She had been with her employer for several years now, recently promoted to director. The pay raise would be in her next paycheck, her house would be paid off in a few years. Her car had been paid off sometime back, so the water bill wasn't high at all. As of this year bills had went down about twenty to thirty dollars. That gave her the extra cash for groceries and personal hygiene. This year had started out rough, now she couldn't help smiling how well it would be close to ending.

Two hours later Sport put on his robe, and walked into the kitchen. Winter was no where to be seen, he smiled as he opened the packages. Walking into the bathroom he quickly got dressed, putting his new items in his bag.

Placing them back into her closet, in the exact spot he had found them. Satisfied with the new items he walked back into the kitchen pouring another glass of tea heading to the porch in the back yard. He smiled as Winter looked up from her swing patting a seat beside her.

"Those clothes look great on you, did you get everything?" Winter asked gently. Sport nodded,

"Yeah, even the under garments, with a new razor and my favorite body wash. I put the bag back in your closet, since I do come over once in a while to take a shower. Thanks Winter."

Winter smiled leaning back watching Knight still playing with her toy. Sport watched her carefully than looked at Knight,

"Do you think it would be to soon to begin another relationship?"

Winter looked at him gently in silent observation,

"Sport you've never asked me for relationship advice, your confident about yourself. Well, how long have you and Gem been umm.. not together?"

"Four months tomorrow, now I have done what was asked of me. I've been thinking about it, it would be nice to be with someone who's different than what I'm use to, like a new scent of fresh air."

Winter's eyes widened a little shocked by his confession, she had no idea. They both had acted as if they were about ready to get married. How strange she thought, there must have been a reason. She shrugged her shoulders taking another drink pouring herself more, than filled his cup. Sport watched her think about everything, waiting for her response. He knew it would come to her as a shock, she had always thought he would marry Gem. Winter turned to observe him,

"This is so strange, you two not together? Guess I didn't believe it at first. It's been a long time Sport, you and Gem have been together, like forever."

Sport watched her emotions move across her expressions. He leaned grabbing her by the shoulders and gave her a sincere hug as he whispered,

"Would it be wrong for me to be interested in someone else?" Winter lightly chewed on her bottom lip, shocked by his hug. At first she stiffened than she relaxed leaning into his hug. Taking the comfort he offered, Sport had rarely given her a hug, so busy with Gem and all her activity in her life. Winter had began to do extra hours, doing a lot of over time to get the director position. She had been patiently waiting on the wedding invitation for Sport and Gem. Now there wasn't going to be a wedding, that came to her as a huge shock.