Page 26 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Or Hurst?”
“Definitely not,” he declares, his jaw ticking.
“Sometimes that’s hard to believe,” I admit. “Even you are kind of a player. I love you, but you’re also my brother.”
“Yeah, you have to love me.” He chuckles and runs his hand through his hair. “But at least I’m honest about who I am and I’mnot opposed to a relationship. I just haven’t found a woman I want more than sex with.”
My face scrunches up in disgust. “Please, don’t say that Gabe. I don’t want to hear about your sex life.”
“Oops.” He smirks, nonapologetic.
“Besides, I don’t think Levi is even looking for more and you know me, I can’t do less. I’m better off not dating players.”
“I’m not going to argue for the guy, I don’t know him, but don’t throw all baseball players in the same category as dad or Hurst.”
“It’s all athletes,” I admit.
His eyes widen and his mouth falls open. “Seriously?”
“After dad, it’s always been hard, but I think Cal shoved me over the top when it came to players. Probably because when I finally gave someone a chance, he really ruined it for me.”
“That’s just him Layla. He’s an asshole. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you away from him. I didn’t know you were even dating him until it was too late.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Anyway, my point is that you can’t rely on dad and Hurst to represent all athletes. They aren’t a fair representation. A lot of the guys I’ve played with and against are some of the best men I know.”
I nod, his affirmation confident. My thoughts stray once again to Levi. Would he want more than just a fling? I promised myself I wouldn’t judge him, even though it’s not easy. Do I take a chance or should I keep him at arm’s length? I’m already struggling to resist him.
Chapter 13
Levi
Layla holds one hand behind my elbow and the other pushes back on my hand, stretching it. “The stronger we get everything around your elbow and shoulder, the better it will be,” she explains. Her fingers slide down my arm eliciting goosebumps and causing me to release a harsh exhale. I love having her touch me, but preferably not for this.
“I get it. Unfortunately, I’ve had enough injuries in my lifetime that I understand the importance of listening to you.” Her soft brown orbs stare into mine making my heart race. Why did I ever think that Layla seeing me at some of my worst moments was a good idea?
Tearing her gaze away from mine, she steps away and reaches into a small freezer, pulling out two blue ice packs and slipping each one into a thin sleeve before shuffling back to me. I wince as she places ice on my shoulder and elbow. “Just rest with these packs for twenty minutes and then you’re done for today.”
“This was your initial assessment?”
She nods. “I didn’t need to do a full assessment. Most of what I did was more for me to see for myself. Your team physical therapists and the one you went to down the road left a lot of notes, plus your medical records. If I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t know that it was both your shoulder and your elbow.”
“Yeah, I guess one injury led to another.”
“That makes sense. I’m also assuming you do all your exercises at home?” She pauses and I nod. “Good, but I’m glad I could evaluate you and get you going before too much time passed.”
“I promise, I’ve been doing everything I’m told. I’m not taking any chances. I want my arm back at its best. My career depends on it. Besides, you sure as hell didn’t take it easy on me.”
She arches her eyebrows and crosses her arms defensively over her chest. “If you don’t want to be pushed, I’m not who you want.”
“I can respect that, but you’re definitely exactly who I want and who I need.” Her cheeks heat, giving me my intended effect.
Flustered, she rephrases, stammering, “I um, I will get you back where you want to be. Your arm is fixable, both your shoulder and your elbow, as long as you do the work.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good.”
