Page 30 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
I need to change the subject before I really start fumbling. “So, um, you’re definitely much smoother than you were on our first date.”
He quirks his brow. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
Feeling like we’re getting back on even ground, I ask the question that’s been circling, “For someone who can be all lines and ego, have you ever had a serious relationship, or have you alwaysbeen a player?”
He flinches, but I’m not going to brush this question to the side. This is one answer I need to know.
Chapter 15
Levi
Frowning, my college girlfriend crosses my mind for the first time in years, the same woman I don’t ever want to remember. I lift my glass to my lips, taking a gulp of wine. “You really want to jump right in tonight, huh?”
She shrugs, a look passing over her face before she swiftly shutters it. “It’s just something I need to know.”
With a firm nod, I finish my wine and look across the table at Layla, her eyes gentle, inviting. The look on her face has me opening my mouth and spilling truths I never thought I would to another woman. “I had a couple girlfriends in high school, but none of them were serious. Baseball and family kept me too busy for anything to last. My college girlfriend was a different story. I started dating her sophomore year and we were together until just before I got my contract with the Lions.”
“What happened?” she asks, her voice timid.
“She never pressured me for my time, but we had fun when we were together. I tried to make things work with her and honestly, I thought she was the perfect girlfriend.” I huff a laugh in contempt. “But I was so fucking wrong,” I grit through my teeth. Inhaling deeply and controlling my exhale, I attempt to pull myself together, hating the anxious look on Layla’s face. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”
She straightens. “I’m not thinking anything. I know better than to assume,” she retorts, defensive.
Wincing, my stomach churns. “I’m sorry. But the men are always the bad guys right?” I scoff. “I think you can figure it out. The only difference is that I was the loyal one in our relationship. Heidi was the one who betrayed me. Apparently, she was cheating on me with a couple different guys from the football team at one point or another, waiting to see if one of us would go pro.” My face scrunches up in disgust.
Her face turns sympathetic. “I’m sorry you went through that, Levi.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’m glad I found out before it was too late. She’s the last woman I really made an effort for and after that, I went pro and admittedly, I went a little wild. That’s when I became the player you saw in the media. I was bitter and pissed off. Having a contract in the MLB made it so I didn’t have to make any effort when it came to women. They didn’t care who I was, just that I was signed and I sure as hell didn’t want a commitment after that.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Meeting her gaze, I see nothing but understanding. My only question is, how much? I hate the idea of her going through even a sliver of what I endured. “What about you? Might as well get it all out there now. Your exes?”
She snorts as if my question is funny. Her tanned skin heats and she quickly covers her mouth, but she doesn’t need to. I already love that sound. “I had a couple boyfriends in college, but they were nothing to write home about.”
“Did you ever date an athlete?”
She blushes, her eyes flitting to her food and reflexively back to me. “Um, yeah, I guess.”
“What about a baseball player?” I push, my chest tightening, although I’m confident I already know the answer.
“Um, yeah,” she whispers so quietly, I almost don’t hear her admission.
“Did he cheat on you?” I question, not sure if she would tell me if I didn’t ask directly. Her only response is a nearly imperceptible nod. My blood boils and my fists clench at my sides. “Who was he?”
“Gabe got in enough trouble when they got in a fight.” She shakes her head. “I’m not telling you that.”
“I could probably find out.”
“Yeah, you could, but please don’t. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter.”
“If he didn’t matter, I might not be climbing such an uphill battle just to get you to go out with me.”
She flinches. “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I can tell you that it’s more than just him. My father was the same kind of man.” She slouches, her shoulders rounded, defeated while she plays with her food.
My chest tightens making it difficult to breathe. I can’t imagine having to cope with a father like that as a little girl. The same men who is her role model for pro athletes, for baseball players. Even with her brother watching out for her, it would be hard not to judge. Heaving a sigh, I tell her, “I’m sorry, Layla.”
“Don’t be.” She shakes her head dismissively. “I sure know how to ruin a date, huh?” she mutters under her breath.
