Chapter 17
Levi
Grasping a bouquet of fall flowers in one hand and a bag of Mexican takeout in the other, I knock awkwardly on Layla’s front door, trying not to damage the flowers. The door swings open, and Gabe stands in the doorway with a somewhat triumphant grin on his face, throwing me off.
“Well, look who’s here,” he announces. “How are you, Levi?”
“Hi, Gabe. Is Layla home?”
“You bring dinner and flowers and don’t know if she’s home?” He chuckles and takes a step back, gesturing for me to come inside. “Is there enough for me?”
“Yeah, there’s plenty.”
“Smart man,” he states, patting me firmly on my back, just below my right shoulder blade.
Flinching, I mutter, “Watch the shoulder.”
At my words, Layla jumps up from the couch and storms over to us, visible fury in her petite form. “What did you do?” she asks, glaring at Gabe.
“Nothing,” he claims, holding up his hands as if he’s innocent. “I’m sorry, Levi. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I’m fine, Layla. It wasn’t intentional.”
She side-eyes her brother making him chuckle. “Sure, it wasn’t.”
“It’s okay,” I insist.
Sighing, she brings her tired gaze back to me. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I brought you dinner and some flowers.” I hold the bouquet out for her, relishing the smile that lights up her face.
“Thank you. These are beautiful, but if you keep this up, I will run out of room for my stuff.”
Grinning in response, I change the subject. “Do you like Mexican?”
“Yes, but, we didn’t have plans tonight. What are you doing here, Levi?”
“Just say thank you, Layla and let the man into the kitchen,” Gabe answers sounding exasperated.
I chuckle and arch my eyebrow in response, waiting for her to decide. Her appreciative smile is all I need, her cheeks tinging a deep shade of red.
“Thank you, Levi.”
“I brought a little of everything since I wasn’t sure what you would like and I knew Gabe was here too.”
“If you don’t want to date him, Layla, maybe I can convince him to date me,” Gabe jokes. “Even if he is a Lion.”
We all laugh. Layla steps closer to me and pushes up on her tiptoes, her hand resting on my forearm as she presses her lips to the corner of my mouth. My heartbeat skyrockets as she falls back on her heels. “Thank you.”
A grin lights up my face. “You’re welcome. I figured with adding me to your schedule, you have a busy week. I’m sure you’re tired, so I wanted to do something for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but I do appreciate it.”
“So do I,” Gabe adds, smirking. “What did you bring?” He claps and rubs his hands together.
Layla laughs, playfully shoving her brother, but he doesn’t move an inch. “What is wrong with you?”
I unpack the food, Layla sets it out on the counter and Gabe grabs plates, silverware, and drinks for all of us. After we fill our plates, and sit down at the table, I glance at Gabe. “Sorry about the end of your season.”
Frowning, he replies, “Me too, but it wasn’t as bad as the end of yours.”
“Mine was over before the team, I just hope it’s not permanent.”
“You have the best helping you get in shape now. If anyone can get you there, it’s Layla.”
I glance between the two siblings. Their admiration, respect, and love for each other apparent. Gabe’s faith in her shows how intelligent and skilled she truly is. “Why aren’t you a physical therapist for a pro sports team? You have the resumé, the talent and the connections.”
Gabe takes a bite of a burrito and arches his eyebrow in question, like me, waiting for his sister’s response.
Her eyes flicker back and forth between us. “Um, I think you both know why. I haven’t had the best experience with players.”
“So, you’re saying that you’re letting dad and fuckface interfere with your dreams?” Gabe challenges, his tone filled with disbelief.
She shakes her head. “No, but why should I put myself in a situation where I know I’ll be miserable.”
Her brutal honesty feels like a punch to the gut, Gabe seeming to mirror my reaction.
“And my words obviously need repeating. You’re too smart to be standing by the sidelines when you could be a real help. Not all players are like dad and Hurst,” Gabe states, his voice soft, supportive.
“Hurst? Cal Hurst?” My mouth drops and my body stiffens, glancing at Layla. Her eyes go wide, looking from her brother to me and back.
“Shit, he didn’t know,” he mutters in understanding.
“Just not who,” I grit through my teeth, my blood boiling and my fingers twitching. How could someone hurt her like that? Knowing who makes it feel more real and I hate that for her. She doesn’t deserve it.
“I didn’t let him get away with it,” Gabe claims.
“You two both need to stay far away from him,” Layla insists, likely knowing what’s running through my head.
Gabe scoffs. “Kinda hard to do when he plays for the Mavericks. I’d give almost anything to get rid of him.”
“Can we not talk about him anymore?” Layla requests, her voice pleading. “He’s not worth it.”
I scoff, grumbling under my breath, “You can say that again.”
“Please?” The look she gives me makes my chest tight and I give her a nearly imperceptible nod.
“Have you checked to see what teams are looking for a new physical therapist? There’s always some sport that’s in their preseason or hiring,” Gabe emphasizes.
“Not really,” she answers, heaving a sigh. “What are your plans during the offseason, Gabe?” She glares at her brother.
“Okay, okay.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “I get it.”
Layla’s cell phone rings and she looks down, her shoulders sagging as she answers it. “Hi, Mom.”
Pausing, she glances at Gabe. “Okay, we’ll be right over.” She disconnects without another word.
“We?” Gabe questions, arching his brow.
“She fell. I need your help.”
“Fuck me,” Gabe mutters.
“Do you need my help?”
Layla shakes her head. “If I brought someone new with me when she’s hurt, she’d likely disown me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“No, thanks.” Pushing up on her tiptoes, she forces a smile and presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “Thank you for the flowers and dinner…again.”
“You’re welcome. Call me if you need my help.”
“I will. I’m going to change. Bye, Levi.”
“Bye.” My eyes follow after her, down the hall until she disappears into her bedroom on the left.
Gabe steps up next to me. “I’m not sure if you mentioned her job tonight to get my attention, but that’s exactly what you did. I want you to know that I’m not letting either of those assholes hold her back from what she wants anymore.” I nod in approval. “You’re all right Brennan.”
“I could say the same about you. See you later, Gabe.”
“Thanks for dinner,” he adds as I walk out the door, wishing there was more I could do to help.
My abrupt exit leaves me feeling oddly forlorn and helpless.