Page 80 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“You’re always welcome to come with me.”
“Yeah, I know, but I can’t.”
Although I’m already aware, it still fucking hurts to hear it again. Taking a deep breath, I push my own emotions out of my head and attempt to comfort her. “Yeah, I know, and it’s going to be okay. We aren’t going to be apart forever. This is only temporary.”
“We can do this, Levi.” Pushing up on her tiptoes, she kisses me with a hunger that sends a shock of electricity straight through me.
Breaking our kiss, I mumble over her lips, “I’ll see you soon, Layla.” Nudging her back, I cradle her face in my hands and look into her eyes, sharing my vulnerability. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Her voice cracks and she kisses me again, her lips soft, tears salty, and my chest aching. I didn’t know it could hurt this much.
Guiding her towards the car, I open the door, keeping my arm around her until she slips inside. She rolls down the window the moment the door closes. Leaning my head in the window, I kiss her again. Glancing at Gabe, I say as more of a plea, “Take care of her.”
He chuckles, both of us knowing he will. “Bye, Levi.” He waves.
“I love you,” I reiterate, kissing her and hauling my head out of the window as Gabe starts driving away from the curb and taking my heart with him.
Heaving a sigh, I don’t take my eyes off the car. Layla sticks her hand out the window and waves, just before they disappear around the corner. I get in my own car and blink back my tears, practically choking on emotion. Taking a deep breath, I attempt to control my breathing and start my car.
Turning in the opposite direction, I drive towards Las Vegas, when all I want to do is follow Layla. My hand goes over my heart as I drive. Rubbing, I try to take the pain away. I didn’t know it could hurt like this.
Chapter 42
Layla
Crouching down by the cabinets, I empty the boxes of medical supplies from a recent delivery and try to organize them properly.
“Good morning, Layla.” Mr. Zetner calls. I look up as he approaches with a file in his hand.
“Hi, Mr. Zetner,” I say, rising off the floor.
“I have to go to the ballfield to help Taylor and Miles with a couple of the players,” he says, giving me an apologetic look. “But I have a player coming down now for his leg and I need you to take a look at him for me.”
“Of course, no problem,” I agree, taking the file.
“Thanks,” he mumbles and spins on his heel, jogging out of the room.
Glancing at the file, I see the player only needs me to massage it out, so that should be easy. A moment later, I hear someone behind me. Turning, I gasp, staring into the eyes of my ex-boyfriend. “Cal.”
“Layla,” he grins, a sly smile curling his lips.
Fuck. I should’ve looked at the file before I agreed. Please have it be someone else. “What do you want?” I grit through my teeth.
“I pulled a muscle in my leg and coach sent me down here to see Zetner, but I’d much rather see you.”
Clenching my fist, I mutter. “Good because I’m apparently what you’ve got.”
He gets a mischievous look in his eyes and saunters to one of the tables and sits on the end. “I’m having trouble with my left leg,” he claims, showing me the muscle on the inside of his thigh.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I blurt out. “You probably got hurt there from all your extracurricular activities.”
Arching his brow, he asks, “I said I was sorry, Layla. She took advantage of me when I was drunk. It meant nothing to me.”
I huff a humorless laugh. “Do you think that matters to me?”
He pinches his lips tightly together. “So, are you going to help me with my leg or not? I’m happy to go ask your boss for help instead.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
