Chapter 8 #2
“I have to assume you have it out for me,” he says casually, stepping in line with me as I walk to my car.
Hands in his pockets, his long strides match perfectly with mine.
“Waking me up on the airplane, forcing me to eat certain foods, trying to see if you can make my intestines blow up from the inside. What’s the deal, Lay? ”
Crud. Him calling me Lay is adding another crack in the armor I’ve been trying to keep on while around Max. It’s almost as spine-tingling as when he calls me Peaches, but I’ll never admit that. “Just some coincidences, Max. I’m not out to get you in any way.”
“You haven’t heard from Javier, have you?” he asks quietly, as we reach my car.
I whirl around to face him. “Hey. You don’t get to just bring him up, alright?
This is none of your business. I’m doing fine.
No, I haven’t heard from him, and I’m hoping to keep it that way.
I don’t want you whispering his name, and then he suddenly appears like some kind of nightmarish demon asshole. ”
Max steps toward me suddenly, and I reflexively step back against the side of my car.
He places both hands on each side of my shoulders, and I fight the urge to shiver.
His beautiful brown eyes sparkle as he leans in, and I’m surrounded by his scent.
I recognize it somehow, but I don’t know from where.
Maybe just being on the airplane with him.
But the scent is comforting. Like I could curl up into his arms and relax in his safety.
“Let’s get something straight here, Layla,” he says softly, so quietly I almost can’t hear him over the sound of my own heart beating.
“I know you didn’t tell me the whole truth about him.
If I wanted, I could put in some calls. I’ve got friends and contacts everywhere, including in Atlanta.
I could ask some questions, see what they swept under the rug.
I could also reach out to Houston and see what trouble he’s gotten into down there.
Looking in your eyes right now, I can tell you’re lying to me. ”
“Ju — just leave it alone, Max,” I whisper. Closing my eyes, I bow my head. “It isn’t worth it. The only one who will pay is me if you open up this can of worms.”
I feel his thumb and forefinger gently lift my chin, and when I open my eyes, he drags his hand over to cup my cheek.
I lean into the touch, ever so slightly, and he responds by stroking my cheek, then drops his hand from my face.
It aggravates me how I immediately miss his touch.
“What makes you think I would let anything happen to you?”
I let out a nervous laugh. “It’s not like you can stop someone from being an asshole.”
“Ye of little faith,” Max replies. “I may not look like much, but I protect what’s mine.”
Excuse me? Spine straightening, I narrow my eyes. “What’s yours?”
Max smiles, his gaze dropping to my lips again. “You feel it too, don’t you? This pull between us?”
Gathering all my strength, I shove him as hard as I can, forcing him back a few feet. “You’re insane.”
He laughs heartily, rubbing the spot on his chest where I pushed him. “Sorry to burst that bubble, but I’ve been cleared from insanity. Come on, Peaches. This connection? It’s not going away.”
“You know what I feel, Max?” I ask as I unlock my car and open my door.
“I feel like this is exactly how shit started with Javier. He claimed he just ‘knew’ I felt it too. Then he went with the whole ‘let’s get it out of our system’ theory, before it changed to being ‘my fault’ for flirting with him, even though I wasn’t.
Every team in the League has fraternization rules, and that didn’t even stop the harassment.
And when I went to the team? They ignored me.
So no, I will not acknowledge any attraction to you, or connection, or pull that you claim we have, because I like this job.
And the fact that you’re even suggesting I’d do anything that could jeopardize my position here? You’re no better than Javier.”
Max’s face pales as he listens to my diatribe, wincing with every set of air quotes I use. “You’re right, Layla. I’m sorry. I stepped over a line. Hell, probably a few lines.”
“I am not yours,” I say haughtily. “Now step back so I don’t accidentally hit you with my car.”
I climb into the car, but as I pull the door shut, Max’s hand shoots out to grab the frame. “Max, let go of my door.”
He crouches down so we’re closer to eye level.
“You may not be mine in the biblical sense, but you are mine in the team sense. And I know I will protect you from Morales. I can guarantee you that if you decided to tell the entire Raptors organization whatever he did to you, we’d all protect you.
Baseball teams are families, Layla. Sounds like you’ve been associated with some shitty ones, but I know good ones out there.
It remains to be seen what kind of organization the Raptors have, but I have to think optimistically that you’d be protected here.
You’re ours. The entire team. Just tell me what happened. ”
His eyes implore me to release everything.
All the sordid details. Maybe it would ease the hurt on my heart a little if someone else knew.
But I’m a loner. I don’t have many friends, and I couldn’t admit anything to my mom.
I’ve held onto this despicable secret for two years, but I can’t confide in Max. “Nothing happened, Max. Nothing.”
I see the shadow cross his eyes, and the hope dims. “Okay.”
Max stands, steps back from my car, and watches me as I drive away.