Page 25 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Don’t worry about me and Beck. We do just fine. This is all about you,” she emphasizes. “Seriously, Layla. Stop holding yourself back. You’re not helping anyone.”
A knock sounds at the door. “I gotta go, Chloe, someone is at the door.”
“Levi?”
“No, I’m not going to see him until tomorrow. Bye, Chloe.” I disconnect and drop my phone on the coffee table.
Stalking towards the door, I yank it open, my brother standing in the doorway. His dark brown hair a little longer on top than the last time I saw him. “Gabe!” I grin, throwing my arms around his frame of five-feet and eleven-inches.
Chuckling, he hugs me back. “Hey, Squirt.”
“What are you doing here? I didn’t expect you to show up until after the World Series.” Taking a step back, I tug him inside.
His face falls as he shuts the door behind him. “Yeah, well, since we’re out now, I couldn’t watch anymore. Thankfully, we were released for vacation.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” I notice the duffle bag he dropped by the front door. “Are you staying with mom?”
He gives me a sheepish grin. Gripping the back of his neck, his brown eyes, so much like mine, reflect back at me. “I love mom, but I was kinda hoping I could stay with you.”
“Of course, you can. You can have the spare room,” I say, gesturing down the hall. “How long are you here?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t have to be back until February and one of my teammates is staying at my place there.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No, Jaeger came in on a trade halfway through this season. He’s a good guy, but he’s young and I can’t deal with that shit on a day to day basis.”
I grimace, thinking ofLevi. “What’s young?”
“Twenty-two, but he’s nothing like Hurst.” I wince at the mention of my ex, Cal Hurst. I’ve been hoping he gets traded for a long time. I want to support my brother, but it sucks feeling like I’m forced to see Cal every time I do. It’s like stalking a man I want nothing to do with. “Still doesn’t make it fun.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Did you eat dinner? Are you hungry?”
“I’m okay, thanks.” He wanders over to the couch and sits down, while I lower myself on the opposite end and cross my legs, facing him. “So, what’s been going on with you?”
“Um, mostly the same.”
He smirks, letting me know he knows things I haven’t shared. “The same? Really?”
“Basically.” My face heats.
“So, you’re saying getting set up with Levi Brennan on a blind date is the same old shit?”
“Ugh,” I groan, scrunching my face up. “And now I’ll be his physical therapist.”
He arches his eyebrows in surprise. “Seriously?” I nod. “I didn’t think you would work on professional players.”
“Yeah. Honestly, I think I only avoided working for a professional team because of dad. Did Mom tell you about Levi?”
“Of course. That’s not something she will stay quiet about.”
Frowning, I confess, “It’s likely one of the reasons I’ve been avoiding her as much as possible.”
He chuckles. “How did your date go?”
I shrug. “Fine, but we won’t be anything more than friends.”
“You know, not everyone is dad.”
