Chapter 12
Layla
Levi Brennan’s name glares back at me. My computer screen remains lit up with his files.
It’s everything I need to take over his physical therapy.
His injury, an x-ray, a cat scan, the doctor’s and trainer’s notes and the physical therapy so far.
Apparently, it’s not just his shoulder, he also injured his elbow, making recovery more complicated and his PT more intense.
I don’t think I’m going to last with my hands on that man. This is such a bad idea. Maybe I can find someone else who can do it. I’m not about to send him back to Celia, the therapist he was using two towns over. She’d jump on advances from a man like him and I can’t see him with anyone else.
Am I being over the top? Absolutely.
My cell phone rings, Chloe’s name flashing across the screen. Swiping to answer, I press speaker and flop back against my couch cushions. “Hi, Chloe.”
“I got your message. It sounds like you got yourself a new job,” she says, giggling around her statement.
“Chloe, what am I going to do?”
“You’re going to help him. Do your magic with his physical therapy and send him back to his team with his arm better than ever.”
“But then I have to touch him.”
“What’s wrong with that? Did you forget how to do your job? That’s usually how things work.”
I huff, glaring although she can’t see me. “Funny. It’s wrong because I’m insanely attracted to Levi Brennan. He kisses like he’s going to consume me and I’m going to beg for every single second of it.”
Laughing, she says, “Again, there’s nothing about what you’re saying that tells me it’s something you shouldn’t be doing. Relish every moment, Layla. And if he can kiss like you’re saying, just imagine what he could do between your legs.”
“You’re not helping.” Groaning, I bury my flushed cheeks in my hands.
“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I’m doing. Relax, Layla. You deserve to have some fun. Why not do it with Levi?”
“Chloe,” I argue. “Levi is a player. He’s the opposite of the kind of man I should go anywhere near.”
“What happened to giving him another chance? Or just having some fun with him?”
“I’m giving him a chance to be a good friend,” I claim, tasting the lie on my lips as it slips out.
Another laugh falls from her lips. “You’re not kidding anyone, Layla, not even yourself. You and Levi Brennan will never be friends.”
“Thanks a lot,” I mutter, deadpan.
“You know what I mean. Maybe you could be more than friends? Now that is something I would believe, especially since you’re his new physical therapist. Not only will you have to touch him, and rub him down, but you’ll have to be spending a lot of time with him every week where it’s just the two of you. ”
“I give up,” I mutter under my breath. “I’m so screwed.”
“That’s what you hope.”
“Sounds like you need some time with your man.”
“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 of Levi. “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.”
“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’m not 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.