Chapter 6
Layla
“You look happy,” I observe, looking at Chloe laying back on the lounge chair in my backyard, a small smile painting her lips.
“That’s because I am. What Beck did to me last night would have any woman happy, but I’m the only one who gets that pleasure.”
Groaning, I run my hand over my face. “I’m really glad things are going so well for you, Chloe. You deserve it, but I’ll admit, I’m a little jealous of your sex life. It’s been so long since I’ve had an orgasm by the hands or mouth of a man that I almost forgot what it feels like.”
She quirks a brow. “But not other parts?”
“Let’s be real. That is only a one-eyed fictional character when it comes to giving orgasms. The concept of a cock induced toe-curling O was probably created by men who don’t know how to use it.”
“Oh honey, Beck and his–”
“Don’t,” I warn, holding up my hand.
She laughs and continues, “Well his is anything but fictional and he knows exactly how to use it. He’s all man in bed. And out of it.”
I scoff. “Okay, I’ll believe you, but he doesn’t count. He’s obviously an anomaly and most importantly, he’s taken by my best friend.”
“Yeah, he is.” She grins, her eyes sparkling.
“But what about us mere mortals?”
She shakes her head and sits up, staring at me with wide eyes as if just coming to a realization. “Wait a second. Back up. Are you saying that you’ve never had an orgasm during sex?”
I flinch. “No, I have, but it took some help.” Pausing, I wiggle my fingers. “I’m pretty sure it’s always been my nerves.”
“No. You’ve definitely been dating the wrong men.”
“Obviously.”
“I should know because before I met Beck, I’m pretty sure the guys I was with were merely boys. They couldn’t make me orgasm with any part of their body during sex.”
“Yeah, well, you’ve hit the jackpot now in every way. But you know growing up here was rough for me so I didn’t have a boyfriend until college. And even then, both of the guys I dated were better at foreplay than sex.”
“I’ve learned it should never be like that unless you choose for it to be that way.”
“Well, how am I supposed to find anyone when it’s still the same people living in this small town? I’d rather keep to myself than date any of the guys I grew up with. The only problem, since I moved back to Love Canyon, my dating life has been nonexistent.”
“There’s plenty you can do to change that.” I give her a look and she rolls her eyes. “I’m serious, Layla. You need a drastic modification to your life. Why don’t you go out with Levi again? He looks like a man who could do the things your body needs.”
My eyes narrow on her. “No.”
“Why not? You said he apologized.”
“He did.” I laugh. “And you know why. I don’t date players.”
“Maybe it’s time to amend that rule. You just said you told him you would think about going out with him again.”
“Yeah, I said I would think about it.”
“Don’t think. Just do it.”
“Chloe, even if he’s not playing baseball right now, he’s still all over the media with other women all the time.”
“Not since he’s been here.”
“Which hasn’t been long.”
She waves her hand, brushing off my comment. “You and I both know what the media says is not always true.”
“Yeah, but we also know it can hold some weight.” I wince the internal scars my dad left behind aching.
“Not everyone is your father.”
She knows me well. “No, but Levi is young. Too young to retire. Even though he’s hurt now, he will probably get better and go back to that life. I’m not na?ve. I know what that life is like.”
“Not for everyone.”
“No, but Levi already messed up with me. How do I trust a man like that?” I ask, my heart remembering his genuine expression when he apologized. I want to believe he means it, but should I really take that chance? And even if he does, that doesn’t mean he would want more with me.
“Maybe he screwed up, but he apologized too,” she reiterates, her words echoing my thoughts. “Plus, he brought you flowers, dinner, and dessert.”
Ignoring her comment, I continue, “I watched my dad destroy my mom. His teammates weren’t any better. So many are divorced or were never married. My brother isn’t much better.”
“You love your brother.”
“Yeah, I do, but I don’t have to go out with men like him and his teammates. I’ve been there and done that, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and it didn’t last for a reason.”
“Dating does not mean marriage, Layla.”
“Of course not, but my heart doesn’t work like that. I could easily become too invested and get my heart broken. I’m not letting myself fall for an athlete.”
“Fine. Then don’t date him. Let him give you the orgasms you don’t believe are real and he can go on his merry way.”
Shaking my head, I insist, “I can’t do that.”
“Of course, you can, and you never know what could happen.”
“He’s not like Beck.”
“Damn right he’s not. There’s only one Beck and he’s all mine.”
“As he should be.”
Heaving a sigh, I ask, “Why are you fighting so hard for Levi? You don’t even know him.”
“This isn’t for him. I’m fighting for you.” My eyebrows draw down in confusion. “Layla, give yourself a break and allow yourself to let go. You’re always concerned about everyone else. You deserve happiness.”
A smile curves my lips. “Thanks, Chloe.”
“Why not find some happiness under the sheets with Levi? It could be fun. Give the man a chance to at least let you see stars while he’s injured.
After all, since you’re so hellbent on the fact that you can’t fall for a player, former or otherwise, what harm could it do if you’re not dating him?
You get the orgasms you’re after from a man who is not only sexy, but he obviously has the experience you need so you don’t have to go chasing your big O.
And, when he eventually leaves, both of you will be satisfied. ”
“That sounds like a terrible idea.”
“Clearly you haven’t been doing the sex thing right.”
I laugh, quirking my brow. “The sex thing?”
She shrugs. “Maybe after Levi, you can relax and find a good man who delivers orgasms and treats you like royalty like my man does for me. Plus, one who doesn’t have a life revolving around balls unless they’re hanging between his legs. In the meantime, take advantage of his.”
“You did not just say that.”
She giggles and lays back down on her lounge chair. “You already walked out on the guy and he came back on his knees to apologize. Let him get on his knees for an even better reason.”
“He wasn’t on his knees. Besides, I’m not about to use him like other women do. I can’t do that to him.”
Sighing, she emphasizes, “It doesn’t have to be that way if you give him a chance. I know you want to, but you’re letting your rules hold you back. I’m searching for ways for you to get around them.”
The thought of letting go with him feels even more terrifying and irrational than jumping into bed with him. “I don’t know if I can do that either.”
“Think of it this way, aren’t you judging him the same way he judged you on your date by not giving him a chance?”
My heart plummets to the pit of my stomach. Groaning, my hands cover my face, disappointment in my actions nearly overwhelming me. Dropping my hands to my stomach, I huff, asking, “Why do you always have to be right?” I owe him an apology.
She laughs. “The hazards of having me as your best friend.”
“Fine, I’ll give him another chance.”
She points to my cell. “Better text him before you change your mind.” I narrow my eyes at her, but all she does is laugh harder.
Reaching for my phone, I send a text to Levi before I chicken out.
Okay.
His response is almost immediate.
Levi
Is that a yes to another date?
Yes. What about tomorrow? We don’t have school on Monday for Columbus Day.
Levi
Perfect. I’ll pick you up at noon. Wear something comfortable.
Where are we going?
Levi
It’s a surprise.
Is that code for you don’t know yet?
Levi
Lol.
Levi
I can’t believe I just wrote that.
A giggle falls from my lips.
Me either. Is it too late to cancel?
Levi
Way too late.
Okay. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.
Levi
I’m looking forward to it.
I drop my phone in my lap, not able to fight my smile. “You look happy,” she throws my words back at me. My smile immediately falls from my face and she laughs.
Great. What did I just agree to?