Page 14 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Which hasn’t been long.”
She waves her hand, brushing off my comment. “You and I both know what the media says is not always true.”
“Yeah, but we also know it can hold some weight.” I wince the internal scars my dad left behind aching.
“Not everyone is your father.”
She knows me well. “No, but Levi is young. Too young to retire. Even though he’s hurt now, he will probably get better and go back to that life. I’m not naïve. I know what that life is like.”
“Not for everyone.”
“No, but Levi already messed up with me. How do I trust a man like that?” I ask, my heart remembering his genuine expression when he apologized. I want to believe he means it, but should I really take that chance? And even if he does, that doesn’t mean he would want more with me.
“Maybe he screwed up, but he apologized too,” she reiterates, her words echoing my thoughts. “Plus, he brought you flowers, dinner, and dessert.”
Ignoring her comment, I continue, “I watched my dad destroy my mom. His teammates weren’t any better. So many are divorced or were never married. My brother isn’t much better.”
“You love your brother.”
“Yeah, I do, but I don’t have to go out with men like him and his teammates. I’ve been there and done that, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and it didn’t last for a reason.”
“Dating does not meanmarriage, Layla.”
“Of course not, but my heart doesn’t work like that. I could easily become too invested and get my heart broken. I’m not letting myself fall for an athlete.”
“Fine. Then don’t date him. Let him give you the orgasms you don’t believe are real and he can go on his merry way.”
Shaking my head, I insist, “I can’t do that.”
“Of course, you can, and you never know what could happen.”
“He’s not like Beck.”
“Damn right he’s not. There’s only one Beck and he’s all mine.”
“As he should be.”
Heaving a sigh, I ask, “Why are you fighting so hard for Levi? You don’t even know him.”
“This isn’t for him. I’m fighting for you.” My eyebrows draw down in confusion. “Layla, give yourself a break and allow yourself to let go. You’re always concerned about everyone else. You deserve happiness.”
A smile curves my lips. “Thanks, Chloe.”
“Why not find some happiness under the sheets with Levi? It could be fun. Give the man a chance to at least let you see stars while he’s injured. After all, since you’re so hellbent on the fact that you can’t fall for a player, former or otherwise, what harm could it do if you’re not dating him? You get the orgasms you’re after from a man who is not only sexy, but he obviously has the experience you need so you don’t have to go chasing your big O. And, when he eventually leaves, both of you will be satisfied.”
“That sounds like a terrible idea.”
“Clearly you haven’t been doing the sex thing right.”
I laugh, quirking my brow. “The sex thing?”
She shrugs. “Maybe after Levi, you can relax and find a good man who delivers orgasms and treats you like royalty like my man does for me. Plus, one who doesn’t have a life revolving around balls unless they’re hanging between his legs. In the meantime, take advantage of his.”
“You did not just say that.”
She giggles and lays back down on her lounge chair. “You already walked out on the guy and he came back on his knees to apologize. Let him get on his knees for an even better reason.”
“He wasn’t on his knees. Besides, I’m not about to use him like other women do. I can’t do that to him.”
