Chapter Two

Erin Lindsay had always been a morning person, or at least that's what she told herself as she sat at her kitchen table, sipping the last of her lukewarm coffee. The sun was just starting to spill through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Her apartment was quiet—save for the faint hum of the city outside—and Erin found solace in these small moments of calm before the world picked up pace.

She had her laptop open, her latest draft of a book review staring back at her. The words were there, but her mind was elsewhere. She wasn't sure if it was the lingering exhaustion from the weekend gala or just the feeling of being stuck that had her distracted. But her fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain, as if waiting for the right inspiration to come.

Her phone buzzed from across the table, snapping her out of her thoughts. She reached over, expecting it to be Kim or maybe a work email she hadn't checked yet. But the screen read, Dad. Erin's lips curled into a soft smile, and she quickly picked up.

"Hey, Dad," she greeted, her voice warm despite the early hour.

"Hey, kiddo," Voight's familiar voice came through, steady and always carrying that reassuring tone. "How's the writing going? Still stuck in the draft phase, or are you finally getting somewhere?"

Erin leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. "Honestly? It's been a rough start. I'm working on a review for this new book, but it feels like nothing I write is good enough."

"Sounds familiar," Voight replied with a chuckle. "You know, when you're chasing perfection, sometimes you forget why you started in the first place. Just write what you feel, not what you think you should write. That's when the magic happens."

Erin nodded, tapping a pen against the table. Her dad's advice was always simple, yet somehow it always made sense. "Yeah, you're right. I'll try to just get it down and see where it goes."

There was a brief pause before Voight continued, the sound of papers rustling in the background. "Anyway, I'm headed into the precinct in a bit. I'm just checking in—wanted to see how you're doing."

"I'm good," Erin assured him. "Just a bit busy, but that's normal, I have to go at the office in a bit. And you know, gala was a little crazy, but I'm starting to catch up."

"Yeah, I saw that picture you posted," Voight said, his tone more casual now. "Looks like you were the center of attention."

Erin laughed softly. "It was nothing, just a few people recognizing me. But it was for a good cause, so it wasn't bad."

"Good, I'm glad. You deserve the attention, kiddo. Don't be so humble." His voice softened, a little more serious now. "If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here."

Erin smiled at his concern. "Thanks, Dad. I know."

"Alright, well, get to work on that book. And if you want to blow off some steam tomorrow, I'll be at the gym early in the morning. We can go together and then have breakfast."

"I'll take you up on that," Erin said. "Thanks, Dad. Love you."

"Love you too. Take care."

After ending the call, Erin sat there for a moment, letting the quiet settle over her again. It was nice to have those little check-ins with her dad. She could always count on him to make her feel like everything would work out.

Just as she was about to go back to her review, her phone buzzed again, a sharp ping that immediately caught her attention. Without thinking, she picked it up, expecting another email or message from Kim.

But when the notification popped up, it was something entirely different.

Jay Halstead followed you.

Erin blinked, her fingers freezing over the screen as she stared at the notification. Jay Halstead. The NFL star, the one who had made a lasting impression on her at the charity gala just days ago.

For a moment, she didn't know what to think. It wasn't like she hadn't heard of him—his reputation preceded him—but their brief exchange at the gala had left her with a weird sense of curiosity about him. And now, here he was, following her on Instagram like it was nothing.

Erin didn't even realize she had been holding her breath until the notification disappeared from her screen. Her pulse quickened as she considered what this might mean.

It could be nothing, right?

Just a simple follow. Maybe he followed her because she'd been at the gala, or maybe it was something else. But it didn't stop her from feeling a little twinge of excitement.

She chewed on her lip for a moment, her gaze drifting back to the screen. She didn't want to read too much into it.

Before she could think about it further, she heard Kim's voice calling her out from the other room as Erin jumps in surprise.

"Erin! Are you finally going to talk to me, or are you just going to stare at your phone all day?"

Erin laughed and called back, "Hold on a sec, I'll be right there."

Her thoughts, however, were still tangled up with Jay Halstead. He had followed her. And now she had to figure out what the hell that meant.

As Erin walked into the living room, Kim was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her own phone. She looked up, noticing the distracted look on Erin's face.

"Okay, spill," Kim said, grinning. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Erin sat down next to her, still holding her phone. "So… remember Jay Halstead? From the gala?"

Kim's eyes lit up. "Wait, you're talking about the NFL star?" she asked, her voice rising. "What about him?"

"He followed me on Instagram."

Kim's jaw dropped. "What?!"

Erin shrugged, trying to play it cool, but she could tell from Kim's expression that she wasn't fooling anyone. "Yeah, I don't know why. It's not a big deal."

Kim's face twisted into a mischievous grin. "You're so full of it. Are you going to message him? I mean, this could be your chance."

Erin rolled her eyes. "I just feel like it's probably nothing, you know? Maybe he's just being polite because we met at the gala and I helped him with his friend gift."

"Or maybe he's interested," Kim suggested, nudging her with her elbow. "You've got to at least like one of his posts, show him you're paying attention.."

"There's absolutely no way I am doing that.Like Ever."

Jay Halstead sat in the dim light of his Chicago apartment, scrolling through his phone after a long, grueling practice session with the Bears. The weekend had flown by, the gala still fresh in his mind. He had met Erin Lindsay there, an unexpected encounter that had stirred something in him—something he hadn't expected to feel, at least not at this stage of his life.

The buzz of the party, the constant socializing, the pretentious smiles, all felt so far away now. But Erin—she was different. He'd seen her across the room, those captivating eyes, that effortless way she carried herself. She didn't seem interested in the fame game, and that intrigued him.

As Jay ran a hand through his hair, he tried to shake off the thoughts of their brief but electric conversation. He wasn't the type to get tangled in something serious. He had a reputation to maintain—he was Jay Halstead, NFL star, the guy everyone thought was a little too charming, a little too wild. The one-night stands, the flirtations—it was all part of his persona. He was used to women fawning over him, and he let them. Why wouldn't he? He enjoyed the attention,kinda liked the cameras flashing and the cheer chanting.It was what he dreamt of when he was a naive kid,before the two tours in Afghanistan.He didn't want to let the ten years old freckled boy that he once was, so he worked hard and the spot on a minor team that was promised to him after finishing high school was still there. And in few months he made it higher and higher,to his hometown team and to the stadium his dad used to bring him and Will back when his mother was still alive and insisted to do this "family thing."

But Erin… she had something more. She was more. He could feel it in the little time he saw her.And despite his better judgment, he found himself thinking about her even now, at the almost end of another exhausting day.

He paused, his thumb hovering over the Instagram app. He wasn't sure why, but he had this urge to reach out. Not in the obvious way—he didn't want to send her a message, not yet. He'd been that guy before, sliding into DMs, starting conversations that led nowhere. This was different. He wanted to see what she posted, what her life was like beyond the glitzy world he lived in.Wanted to see with his own eyes if his idea was right.

If Erin was different.

Maybe it was her laugh, how genuine it sounded.

Jay pressed "follow" before he could talk himself out of it. His finger hovered above the screen, lingering for a moment as if he could take it back. But he didn't.

After all, it wasn't like he was making a grand romantic gesture. He was just… curious.

"Just curious," he muttered to himself, sitting back against the couch.

He immediately regretted it. Of course, this was going to add fuel to the fire. He knew how people would react—his teammates, his fans, maybe even Erin herself. Jay was well aware of the persona that followed him around: the charming, smooth-talking womanizer. It was a reputation he'd worked hard to cultivate over the years, and it had served him well. Women liked the mystery, the thrill of a guy who wasn't too available. He had no need to change.

As his phone buzzed, the notification popped up:

Erin Lindsay has followed you back.

Jay frowned, leaning forward. So she noticed. That was good, right? He quickly navigated to her profile to see if she had posted anything new—anything that might give him a glimpse into her world. Her photos were an eclectic mix of book releases, charity events, and some quieter moments,his brother,her grouo of friends or her enjoying days around nature—much different from the staged posts he was used to seeing from others in the public eye.

There was no smile-for-the-camera here.

Erin Lindsay's life was a little more raw, a little more real.

It made Jay pause.

"What the hell am I doing?" he asked himself, shaking his head.

Jay's mind was still occupied with Erin as he walked into the Bears' gym, trying to shake off the strange pull he'd felt ever since the gala. His team was already there, the usual banter filling the air. Will was talking to Antonio, and Adam was busy stretching in the corner, his attention divided between a few messages on his phone and the upcoming weekend getaway with Wendy.

Jay tried to push the lingering thoughts of Erin aside, but it was like trying to ignore the elephant in the room. It had barely been two days since they met, but he couldn't deny there was something about her that had him intrigued, unsettled, and—if he was being honest—a little anxious. He wasn't used to this feeling.

"Man, you ready for the trip?" Antonio asked, glancing over at Adam, his voice cutting through Jay's thoughts.

"Yeah, just need to get a couple of things ready," Adam replied, still looking down at his phone. "Speaking of which, can I text you that address ?"

"Address for what?" Jay asked, not trying to sound too invested but definitely curious.

"Erin Lindsay's office," Adam said. "The book for our anniversary. I told her I'd send it over by the weekend, but I forgot to send her the address to drop it off. Gotta get it for tomorrow, since Wendy and I are leaving for the getaway trip."

Jay's mind immediately clicked. "You didn't send her the address already?"

"Yeah but we leave early, so I have to be sure I have it on time" Adam admitted. "Could you grab it for me? I'll there i'll send someone to grab it and just take it from her workplace."

Jay hesitated, just a moment too long. The idea of seeing Erin again, of actually going to her workplace, was… unexpected. But the thought of seeing her in person without looking like a complete stalker? A chance to figure out what was gnawing at him?

"Yeah, mh..sure. I'll do it," Jay said, his voice surprisingly steady, though his mind was racing.

"Thanks, man,you're a lifesaver ," Adam said, a smile spreading across his face as he stood. "I'll shoot you the address now. I owe you one."

Jay nodded, already reaching for his phone. As soon as Adam sent the address, Jay tapped the screen, his fingers moving before he had even fully processed what he was doing. Something about Erin made him feel… well, alive in a way he didn't expect. There was something about her—the kindness in her eyes or the warmth of her smile—that struck a chord with him. But then, there was the nagging thought at the back of his mind: this was all too strange..

He sat down in the locker room, eyes flicking between the address Adam sent and his phone screen. He didn't want to seem like he was making too big of a deal out of this.

But he couldn't stop thinking about the chance to see her again. Even if it was just to pick up the book.

Erin sat at her desk, absently doodling in the margin of her notebook as she waited for Adam's "someone" to show up. He'd texted earlier, saying he needed the signed copy of her book for Wendy, and she'd agreed to have it ready. She didn't mind helping Adam out—he told her via text about Wendy's passion for her books, and she felt like she might already know her.

What she hadn't expected was how late the pick-up would be. Erin glanced at the clock, tapping her pen against the desk. She was basically finished for the day and had half a mind to text Adam and tell him to get his act together.

A sharp knock at the office door pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked up, surprised—it wasn't her assistant who was about to tell her to go to hell for the late hour.

The door swung open, and in stepped none other than Jay Halstead.

Her breath caught in her throat for a moment before she quickly schooled her features. Jay stood in the doorway, looking almost out of place in the cozy, book-filled space. He had on a simple black hoodie, jeans, and a pair of sneakers that somehow made him look like he belonged anywhere but in an office.

"Hey," Jay said, his voice casual as he offered her a smile that was just a little too charming. "Mh-Adam-Adam Ruzek sent me to pick up the book."

Erin blinked, momentarily thrown off by his presence. "Adam sent you?"

Jay shrugged, stepping further inside and letting the door close behind him. "He said he was busy, and I owed him a favor. Guess that favor involved running errands."

She crossed her arms, her lips twitching with amusement. "So, you're telling me that NFL star Jay Halstead is moonlighting as his teammate's personal assistant now?"

Jay chuckled, leaning against the edge of her desk. "Not my usual gig, but hey, I'm a team player."

Erin shook her head, trying not to let the sight of him this close rattle her. "Well, I guess it's a good thing the book's ready. I wouldn't want to keep you from your… busy assistant duties."

He grinned, clearly enjoying her teasing. "Appreciate that. Wouldn't want Adam to dock my pay."

Rolling her eyes, Erin grabbed the book from the corner of her desk and handed it to him. Their fingers brushed as he took it, and for a split second, the air felt heavier. She ignored the sudden warmth in her cheeks.

"Here you go," she said, pulling her hand back quickly. "One signed copy, ready for delivery."

Jay glanced down at the book, flipping it open to the page where she'd written a short note to Wendy. He nodded in approval. "Nice touch with the message. Wendy's gonna love this."

"Glad I could help," Erin replied, leaning back in her chair. She watched as he tucked the book under his arm, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary.

Jay glanced down at the book, flipping it open to the page where she'd written a short note to Wendy. He nodded in approval. "Nice touch with the message. Wendy's gonna love this."

"Glad I could help," Erin replied, leaning back in her chair. She watched as he tucked the book under his arm, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary.

"Sorry it's so late," Jay said, his voice softer now, like he actually felt bad about it. "Had a last practice before the pause. Adam didn't mention it'd be after hours when he asked."

Erin waved a hand dismissively, though her lips curled into a small smile. "It's fine. I'm used to late nights anyway."

Jay nodded, his gaze sweeping over her desk for a second, as if taking in the scattered notes, drafts, and open books. "Looks like it."

She arched a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing bad," Jay quickly clarified, holding up a hand. "Just… you strike me as the type who'd put in the hours to make something perfect."

The comment caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. There was no teasing or sarcasm in his tone—just an earnestness that felt strangely personal for someone who basically she didn't know anything about.

"Well," she finally said, her voice a touch quieter, "guess that makes two of us, doesn't it?"

Jay chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, maybe. Though I'm guessing your work's a little more… meaningful than mine."

Erin tilted her head, studying him. "What you do matters too. Don't sell yourself short.You arrived at the Superbowl last year,if i recall right."

"Yeah,then you might also recall how bad we lost it." He said with a sarcastic tone, one that Erin detected as a self copying mechanism of not so good times.

Erin softened, sensing the weight behind his words. She leaned forward slightly, her voice more gentle now. "I do remember. But you know, getting to the Super Bowl is a huge accomplishment on its own. Not everyone gets that far."

Jay let out a humorless laugh. "I get what you're saying, but when you work your ass off for something, and then it slips through your fingers, it's hard to see it as an achievement."

There was a moment of quiet understanding between them, as Erin's gaze softened. She knew the feeling all too well—the sting of putting everything into something and still falling short.

"I get it," she said quietly. "It's easy to focus on the loss when the win is so close. But it doesn't take away from the work you put in, or the person you are."

Jay glanced at her, his eyes briefly flicking down to her hands, and then back to her face. He seemed to be studying her in a way that made her heartbeat just a little quicker.

"I don't know if I believe that yet," he said, almost to himself.

Erin tilted her head. "Well, maybe you should.It helps."

Jay sensed something in her words,like he wanted to see if it was true,like he didn't want to hear the voices in his head saying he wasn't good enough,or the judgmental stare of his father everytime his son repeated that that sport was gonna become his career sooner or later.

"Yeah,maybe I should," He said murmuring,as he pointed at the book "Thanks for this Erin,really."

"No problem,tell Adam I want to know Wendy's reaction after he gives it to her."

"Sure."

Jay turned toward the door, his hand lingering on the doorknob as he hesitated for just a moment. He wasn't quite sure why, but something about the conversation with Erin made him feel… different. Lighter, maybe. Or maybe it was the unexpected warmth in her voice that made him want to stay just a little longer.

Before he could stop himself, he turned back around. "Hey, Erin," he said, his tone tentative. "You, uh… you don't have any more work to do, do you?"

Erin looked up at him, surprised by the question. She took a second to glance at the papers scattered across her desk, then met his gaze again. "Not really. Why?"

A hint of a smile played on Jay's lips as he leaned back against the doorframe. "Well, I remember we said we'd talk more at the gala, but, uh, we didn't exactly get the chance. If you're not busy…" He trailed off, unsure of how to finish the invitation without sounding too forward.

Erin raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Dinner?" she asked, as if testing the waters herself.

Jay nodded, his eyes hopeful. "Yeah. Nothing fancy. Just… you know, food and conversation. Thought it might be nice."

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her desk. It had been a while since she had a moment to herself outside of work. Besides, Jay had been kind enough to pick up the book for his friend, and there was something about the way he spoke that made her feel at ease.

"Alright," she said with a soft sigh, finally standing up from her chair. "Dinner sounds good."

Jay's face lit up with a genuine smile, the kind that made Erin feel like he was actually relieved, like he was glad she'd said yes. "Great. I'll take you somewhere low-key. How's that sound?"

Erin grabbed her jacket, a small laugh escaping her lips. "Yes please,and nothing that will make your paparazzi come at us."

Jay pushed off from the doorframe, gesturing toward the hallway. "Well,I definitely know the place then."

Erin nodded,"Let me just go and grab the rest of my stuff,I'll meet you at the parking lot."

"Great." While in the elevator , Jay remembers to text Ruzek saying that he has the book and that tomorrow morning he can pass by his house to pick it up, not wanting to tell right away about this…dinner?Between him and Erin.It was just enough confusing for him,let alone explaining it to Ruzek.

As Erin stepped out of the building,her black coat covering her from the freezing air as she took in the quiet parking lot. The usual office crowd had already cleared out, leaving behind just two cars. She was about to walk toward her own vehicle when something caught her eye.

There, parked few spots from her, was a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, gleaming under the streetlights. Its deep black finish made it look almost regal. Erin raised an eyebrow, impressed. Of course Jay would have a car like that, she thought with a small smile.

She walked over, unable to resist taking a closer look. As she approached, she saw Jay leaning casually against it, his arms crossed.

"Nice car," Erin said, her voice a mix of admiration and amusement. "I'm guessing you didn't rent it for the night."

Jay smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "Yeah. Think it suits me?"

Erin chuckled, giving him a once-over. "Well, it's definitely not a car for someone who wants to blend in," she teased. "But it works. I have to admit, I'm impressed."

Jay straightened up and gestured toward her car, which was parked just a few spots away. "Speaking of impressed… that's a nice ride you've got there. What is it, a Mercedes?"

Erin nodded, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Yeah, not bad, right? I like it. But I'm guessing this thing," she motioned to the Rolls-Royce, "is a bit more… your speed."

Jay chuckled, clearly impressed. "Definitely. But listen, no way we're taking two cars tonight. I'm driving."

Erin raised an eyebrow, looking over at her car. "I can't just leave it here," she said, already planning to head back after dinner to grab it.

Jay shook his head, opening the passenger side door of the Cullinan. "We'll grab dinner, and I'll bring you back here to pick up your car afterward. No big deal. It's not out of my way."

Erin hesitated for a moment, but Jay's confident grin was hard to resist. Finally, she relented with a soft sigh, giving him a playful glare. "You just want to show off your fancy car, don't you?"

Jay shrugged, still grinning. "What can I say? It's not every day I get to impress someone with my ride."

She rolled her eyes but smiled, sliding into the luxurious seat. "Alright, fine. But I'm holding you to your word—I'm getting my car back tonight.And you should be honored,I am usually the one who drives."

Jay flashed her a reassuring wink as he closed the door behind her. "Of course. Now, let's get going. Dinner's waiting."

As the engine hummed to life, Erin couldn't help but feel a little thrill at the idea of driving around in this massive luxury SUV.

Maybe Jay had a point.

There were worse ways to spend an evening.