Page 8 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
Tilting my head to the side, I stare at him and challenge, “Doesn’t it?” He wouldn’t be the only one.
Instead of answering, he redirects. “What do you do, Layla?”
Exhaling slowly, I attempt to relax my shoulders, trying to feel more comfortable with him. Maybe this isn’t so bad. “I’m a physical therapist. Currently, I work mostly with all the high school sports teams and sometimes I fill in for the school nurse.”
“That must be interesting.”
“Sure, it’s a good job. It’s not exactly what I want to be doing, but my options are limited in such a small town. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and yes, I enjoy working with the students. So many of them push too hard and end up getting hurt. I’m glad I can be there for them, and help them, but for me, it’s not ideal.”
His face falls and he clenches his square jaw, the movement making me squirm, both sexy and a little scary. “Really?”
Furrowing my brow, I try ignoring his obvious displeasure at my response and ask, “What about you?”
“What about me?” he snaps.
I lick my lips, attempting to ignore the reappearance of his attitude. “What do you do?”
He laughs humorlessly. “After that speech you’re going to pretend like you don’t know? I was told you were anicegirl.”
“I’m not pretending anything and why do you keep usingthat word?”
“What word?”
“Nice,” I emphasize, narrowing my eyes.
“You’re acting like it’s a bad word and if you’re not pretending, why did you bring up how much you like working with the teams at the high school, but say it’s not ideal? I can’t get you a job.”
A sound of pure disbelief falls from my lips. “Good because I never asked for one. Besides, I don’t even know what you do.”
“My aunt or uncle never mentioned that I play professional baseball for a living?” He quirks his brow.
Inhaling quickly in shock, I stare at him, eyes wide and mouth open while everything clicks into place. “You’re Levi Brennan.”
“Yeah, but you already knew that.”
Gripping the edge of the table so tight my knuckles turn white, I lean closer, attempting to keep my emotions under control and my voice quiet. “No, I didn’t. If I did, I would not be here.”
He scoffs, giving me a look, telling me he doesn’t believe me. “Right.”
“I gave in to this blind date choosing a former player. They obviously made a mistake because that’s not you.”
“Well, I am a former player, but I hope that status is only temporary. Guess you’re wrong on a technicality. ”
“Too bad for you I don’t give a damn who’s right or wrong. You are the epitome of everything I don’t want in a man.”
“Keep saying it. Maybe I’ll pretend to believe you.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I shake my head, irrationally disappointed. For a second when he walked through the door, I actually had my hopes up, but that sure as hell didn’t last. “I’m done. I don’t need this.”
“You think I do? I don’t ever need someone to set me up on a date.” His gaze narrows.
Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Grinding my teeth, I push the chair back, letting it screech across the floor. I stand, glaring at him. In an instant, I no longer care about the people around us. Snatching the glass of water, I mutter under mybreath, “Screw you, Levi,” a moment before tossing the contents in his face.
Ignoring the gasps around the diner, I spin on my heel and storm out, knowing my name will be on everyone’s tongue before I even make it home, but I don’t care.
My phone rings as I slide into the front seat of my car, Chloe’s name flashing on the screen as if trying to prove my point. Swiping to answer, I ask, “Why the hell would they set me up on a date with a man who’s a player in every sense of the word?”
“I’m sorry, Layla. Want me to come over and you can tell me about it?”
