Page 37 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“We’ll start tomorrow.”
I nod my head robotically. “Okay.”
“You know there’s a good chance that we won’t find anything around here for mom.”
“Yeah.”
He gives me a look. “Maybe we should consider looking for something closer to me in Oregon. You could find a great job out there if you wanted.”
My chest tightens with both fear and anticipation. After coming back, I almost wondered if I would leave again, but having my mom safe and close to both Gabe and me is ideal. The thought of Levi flickers through my mind, but I swiftly shove it away, questioning my sanity. My family needs to be my priority. Levi and I are barely finding our footing, and he’ll be leaving to go back to Vegas in a few months without me anyway. “You’re probably right.”
Taking a deep breath, I look at my brother with tears in my eyes. “I’m really glad you’re here, Gabe.”
Leaning over, he wraps me in his arms, hugging me and I squeeze him back. “I love you, Layla.”
“Love you, too.”
“Are you going to be okay tonight?”
Not really, but there’s no point in admitting it. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
We climb out of the car and drag ourselves inside. “I’m jumping in the shower and then I’m going to go out for a drink.”
“You’re walking?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning.”
Trudging to my room, I clean up, changing into a thin pair of black and white pajama pants and a black tank top. Grabbing my phone, I send a quick text to work, letting them know that I’m not feeling well and won’t make it in tomorrow. The moment I sit down on the edge of my bed, I jump up, antsy, on edge. “I can’t stay here right now,” I mumble under my breath.
Slipping on a pair of shoes and a thin purple zip up, I grab my keys, phone and purse and start walking, my concern for my mom overwhelming. A few minutes later, I find myself standing in front of Levi’s house, burdened with indecision and maybe a little bit of guilt. He shouldn’t be the one I turn to, not when neither of us can stay. I should go. Shifting awkwardly back and forth, I decide to take a chance, not wanting to be alone. I slip into the backyard and tiptoe to Levi’s door, knocking softly, with my heart pounding like I’m doing something wrong.
Just when I’m about to give up, the door opens, and a bare chested Levi stands in front of me in nothing but navy blue boxer shorts making me gasp. The hard ridges of his chest and abs leave my throat dry. I drag my eyes up to his, finding him looking down at me with a sleepy but concerned gaze, his hair in sexy disarray. “Layla,” he rasps, his voice low, rolling over me like velvet. “Are you okay?”
I nod, spikes erupting on the inside of my throat, while tears quickly well in my eyes. “Yeah,” I rasp, fighting to keep my lower lip from trembling. “I’m sorry I woke you up.”
Reaching for me, he wraps his hand around my arm, and soothingly tugs me inside, shutting the door behind me. Without a word, he entwines our fingers and squeezes, a shock of heat rushing through me, warming me like a blanket. Gently, he guides metowards his bedroom, his presence alone, soothing. Still holding my hand, he sits down on his bed, watching me, waiting for me to speak, but I can’t. Not yet.
Gently, I twist my hand away, slipping off my coat and shoes, and discarding them on the floor before crawling into his bed without an invitation.
Sighing softly, he lays down next to me and gathers me into his chest, holding me tight. Tears spill over onto his skin, and he tucks me closer, rubbing reassuring circles on my back. Breaking the silence, he repeats his earlier question. “Layla, I’m happy to hold you all damn night and even longer if you’ll let me, but first, I need to know, are you okay?”
Instead of answering, I explain, “My mom has early onset dementia.” My admission squeezes my insides in a vice grip.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, pressing kisses to the top of my head as he brings me impossibly closer.
“Thank you,” I whimper, barely getting the words out. There’s nothing else to say, but his whispered words of regret and comfort calm me. Settling into his warm embrace, and inhaling his clean, woodsy scent, my tears eventually diminish as I drift off to sleep encased in his heartening presence.
Chapter 19
Levi
The weight of Layla’s warm body presses up against me, my dick stiff and uncomfortable not getting the memo that she’s not here for sex. I’d been about to fall asleep when I heard the quiet knocking, but when I dragged my tired limbs to the door, I was pleasantly surprised until I got a good look at her face, and my heart plummeted. She stood in front of me appearing frail, exposed and defenseless. My need to hold her and comfort her nearly consumed my insides. I’m grateful she let me.
I can’t imagine what she’s going through. Her confession floored me, showing her strength even in this moment of vulnerability, making her even more beautiful. Knowing I’m the one she sought out when she needed someone to lean on fills me with pride, but I don’t want to take it for granted. I want to prove to her that I’m a man who deserves to be by her side through thick and thin.
At the same time the thought crosses my mind, I’m overwhelmed with the truth of it. Layla has quickly and easily embeddedherself into my heart whether she meant to or not. And for the first time in a long damn time, I don’t want to let her slip away.
