Page 4 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“What kind of man would be your perfect book boyfriend?” Nora questions, arching her brow.
“What about a baseball player?” Miranda Brennan suggests.
My eyes go wide and I jump up, knowing they will pick someone for me if I don’t speak up now. “No!”
Mouths collectively snap shut around the room, eyes going wide, and staring at me. My face heats, but with my olive, Italian skin, thankfully it’s hard to tell I’m blushing.
“Oh, dear,” Tanith murmurs under her breath.
“I just mean…ugh, fine. I’ll pick a book.” I’ll just grab one that’s the complete opposite of who my father is. Scanning the titles on the designated book boyfriend shelf, skipping all the athletes, I pause on the #formerplayer. That has more than one meaning, but either way it’s nothing like my father. He was the worst of both.
“We can pick one for you,” Chloe volunteers.
Ignoring her, I sigh. “Right, what about the former player?”
Tanith hands me the book and smiles. “Good choice.”
My glare turns on my best friend, her eyes alight with amusement as I slump back to my seat. “Traitor,” I grumble under my breath, only succeeding in making both her and Scotty burst out laughing.
Taking a big gulp of wine, I tune out the rest of the conversation, not ready to come to grips with reality.
What the hell am I getting myself into?
Chapter 2
Levi
Finishing my workout, I stand in the living room of my temporary apartment and stretch. My aunt and uncle decorated this side of the house for guests, keeping it simple yet modern with gray and black furniture. It’s comfortable with sleek lines and the space even has its own entrance.
Thankfully, they let me escape here, but it’s been a while. Their house looks different, but the small town seemed to be the same as I remember when I drove through. Then again, my four hour drive had been closer to seven and my eyes were starting to cross by the time I arrived.
Stepping out my door, I look out over the backyard, taking in the patio with a large teak table and red cushioned chairs, a grill, and a U-shaped couch up against the house. Beyond, lounge chairs sit on this side of a tiered pool, water flowing down from one oversized square and into the next. It’s not a pool I can swim laps in, but it is beautiful–like nothing I’ve ever seen.
The back door to the main house swings open and my Aunt Miranda steps onto the patio with a welcoming grin. “Good morning, Levi. I was just coming over to see if you were awake.”
“Good morning. I’ve been up for a while. I just finished with my workout,” I inform her and she nods in acknowledgment. “If I’m going to have a chance of getting my shoulder back for next season, I have to stay on top of my physical therapy.” The rest of my arm is already feeling the impact of the injury and I can’t let another piece of me fall apart. I’m ready to work my ass off to be in top form.
“I’m sure it will work out the way it’s meant to.”
Her words leave a sour taste in my mouth. I know she’s only trying to support me. “Doesn’t mean I can take it easy.” I’m not giving up.
“True, but you’ll be okay no matter what happens.” I hope she’s right. I’m not ready to let go of baseball, I’m only twenty-seven. “Breakfast is in the kitchen if you’re hungry, but Uncle Steve already left for work.”
I smile. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”
She shrugs. “I was making it anyway. We need to eat too.”
Nodding towards the pool, I change the subject. “When did you put the pool in? It looks great.”
“Thank you. We added it last spring.” She giggles. “Your cousins asked why we didn’t put it in when they still lived here.”
“Probably so we didn’t break our necks wrestling from one pool to the next.”
“Sounds exactly like something you and Lawson would do.” A look crosses her face as if lost in a memory.
“How are Lawson and Della?” I ask about my cousins.
“They’re both doing well, but we can catch up about them later. I have something to ask you.”
